Gary,
I tried the Jack Daniel's Old No. 7 the other day at the Bourbon's Bistro. I agree with you that the "banana" was for the most part missing from the drink. I could still detect traces of it after it had opened up for about 30 minutes, but as a whole, no banana. I also found it less complicated and frankly, less interesting of a pour. It had to open up before even the smokiness became part of the drink. I found it a little watery and thin.