By Richard Thomas
Rating: B
Back in 2018, Jack Daniel’s introduced a Bottled in Bond version of their Old No. 7 Tennessee Whiskey. This was a travel retail expression, and as such they put it in a larger 1-liter bottle (that is an extra five shots, for those of you who are interested in the math). Fast forward 2 1/2 years, and Jack Daniel’s has introduced a new, permanent brand extension in its new Bonded Series. For now, this has two expressions: Jack Daniel’s Bonded and Jack Daniel’s Triple Mash.
The first thing to cross my mind as I took in a pour of Jack Daniel’s Bonded was what, if anything, made the liquid itself distinct from the previous Bottled in Bond expression of 2018. The answer, as you shall see below, is it’s not. Comparing what I had in my glass to what I had in my notes, I decided the differences were so small as to be discrete and debatable.
The real distinctions are practical. First, the 2018 Bottled in Bond was available only in airports (at least officially). This new Bonded Tennessee Whiskey is in regular distribution. Also, it is an example of Jack Daniel’s taking advantage of the 2020 change in Federal Tobacco, Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) rules allowing American liquor companies to use European-friendly 70 cl bottles (that is one shot less than the American standard 750 ml bottle). I have heard they are continuing with the 1-liter bottle as well, but I have not actually seen one as of yet.
The Whiskey
In the glass, JD Bonded has a solid, mid-amber coloring. The scent is solidly Jack Daniel’s: brown sugar and caramel sweet, a touch spicy, a touch nutty, plus a touch of char. It’s a mellow, subdued scent, although here it is noticeably stronger than is usually the case with classic Jack Daniel’s.
The flavor holds with the brown sugar, caramel and nuttiness, but to this adds a little creamy, banana milkshake. The finish turns a bit spicy and a bit woody, and lingers for a spell.
This is one of those Jack Daniel’s expressions that takes the core flavor profile of classic JD and builds on it, rather than taking it to different places. It is a modest step up in flavor, due in large part to the increased in proof, but also to barrel selection.
The Price
The 70cl bottle of JD Bonded is priced at $30. In tandem with the modest step up in quality, it is also a modest step up in price. Even with the smaller bottle size, it’s a better buy than Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7.