Jack Daniel’s Triple Mash Scoresheet & Review

Jack Daniel’s is an incredibly easy target. As with most huge industry names, their success all but invites criticism. Sometimes it’s warranted; other times, you can’t help shaking your head in response to the perpetrating party. Regardless, most of us have a certain image or association in mind when regarding Jack Daniel’s, and many casual drinkers I meet don’t view the Tennessee giant too fondly.

The more enthusiastic crowds seem more split in their opinions, which is probably more reflective of the general sentiment toward Jack Daniel’s. However, I’d argue that the overall consensus among whiskey fans has grown more positive over the past few years. With limited releases like 2020’s Barrel Proof Rye and 2021’s Coy Hill, along with more recent core additions such as a permanent version of the former and a pair of bonded whiskeys, Lynchburg’s key distillery isn’t exactly leaving people hungry (or thirsty) for more.

High proof LE bottlings seem to generate the most discussion among reviewers even before they have a chance to try them. Limited releases are already all the rage these days, so combining that with whiskey that’s usually far north of 130 proof is a combination many hobbyists don’t want to resist. Although I certainly get it, I’ve also grown jaded by the hype that seemingly defines the modern whiskey scene. Consequently, I’m more impressed when a brand introduces new products intended as shelfers, especially when they end up being rather good.

Jack Daniel’s recent bonded expressions feel like an attempt to hit that mark while raising the stakes. How so? Meet Jack Daniel’s Triple Mash.

Distilleries often reserve their more interesting or experiment releases for limited product runs, which often carry premiums on top of their allocated status. It makes sense; subsects of the enthusiast crowd are usually the target audience, so why bother investing in something niche? Well, Jack Daniel’s decided to buck the trend with their Triple Mash whiskey. As a bottled in bond product, it’s at least four years old and bottled at 50% ABV, but where it gets interesting is the composition. Jack Daniel’s straight rye whiskey comprises 60% of the blend while their malt and Tennessee whiskey (bourbon) even split the remaining 40%. For those curious, that makes the effective mash bill: 43.6% rye, 29.6% malted barley, 26.8% corn.

Although rye whiskey is seeing a bit of a renaissance, American malt is only recently finding its footing, so combining those with a bit of Jack Daniel’s more established whiskey is undoubtedly intriguing. The best part? It’s relatively easy to find and comes in at an affordable $35. I’m ready to sing praise for this product out the gate, but every whiskey deserves a fair shake, so it’d be truly unfortunate if this ended up being a bust.

Nose: Tropical trail mix (dried bananas, melon, and pineapple with peanuts, and almonds), cinnamon, and a bit of ethanol with youth on the back. Dark brown sugar, apple medley, and hints of ginger snaps. A touch of peppermint and peppercorn in the background helps ground the sweeter flavors.

Palate: Surprisingly luscious. Opens with some Juicy Fruit gum followed by warm cinnamon and sweet ginger over nuts and banana chips. A bit of buttery vanilla on the mid-to-back palate as the sip sits.

Finish: The sweeter flavors calm down a bit. Kicks off with some pepper and rye spice before gentle accents of clove and basil enter the picture.

I’m happy to say that Jack Daniel’s Triple Mash successfully provides an equally fun and interesting drinking experience. The rye-heavy mash is undoubtedly doing a fair bit of heavy lifting, especially since the standard Jack Daniel’s Rye basically puts its corn-forward sibling to shame thanks to its vibrant, slightly fruity profile. This pairs nicely with the malt whiskey component, giving the pour a personality that’s odd yet methodical. Couple this with the aforementioned points of Triple Mash being available and affordable and I’m ready to name this as my favorite new whiskey product from the past few years.

Although I appreciate what Jack Daniel’s has done with this product and hope that other distilleries take inspiration from it, I can’t say it’s the easiest product to recommend. The majority of whiskey drinkers prefer sticking to their comfort zone; I should know, I do it all the time. And as much as I want to sing the highest praises for Triple Mash, I can’t deny that it’s an unusual pour that’ll probably leave most consumers confused. It’s remarkably complex for a shelfer, but the way it accomplishes this feat is bound to turn people off simply because it’s so different. I’m still all for it.