I feel uncomfortable with my bias agin Jack Daniel stuff. I try to look at my biases stright in the face once in a while (leastways the ones I know about).
I have been on jury duty a number of times, both Federal and State and you know you are required to say something about putting aside your prejudices. I take that seriously every time and try to judge as best I can on what I hear and the circumstances, never mind that, for example, auto dealers are completely untrustworthy in general.
Now, I want to give Jack a fair shake and I have tried to be objective in my appraisals of their bourbon (scuze me, Tennesse whiskey), but am still uncomfortable with my evaluations.
So I set up a new face off................Jack in the ring with George. Many will say my setup ain't no fair fight, and maybe t'aint, but let them set up their own. And folks can draw they own conclusions about the results.......so be it.
Now, for the fight. The two contenders were brought in side by side and their lids removed. The nosing began and came out about equal with a slight nod to George for the butterscotch richness.
Before the tasting began out comes the 'equalizer', 85% cocoa (a thanks to MikeK for the idea). One other advantage of using the cocoa is that one pesky dog, Barleycorn by handle, can't abide chocolate, so he will not intefere with nor influence my results (he claims to have met George Dickle in person and has a bias in his favor........no point in telling him the truth about Mr Dickle........he discounts most of what I say, much as my wife does).
So I proceed in this highly charged atmosphere and nail biting contest. I take a bite of cocoa and a sip, a bite of cocoa and a sip. There is no contest..........Jack fairly explodes with complementary flavor, while poor George, much like another George, seems overwhelmed.
I have no explanation as to why this would be. But somehow it seems significant to me, else I wouldn't be abothering you with it. Why would 85% cocoa be such a good partner for Jack Daniels Single Barrel and be at such odds with George Dickle. I don't know. The cocoa is quite strong with its own rich bittersweet flavors, and like strong coffee (and bourbon) is an acquired taste.
Next week friends and neighbors, I will bore you with another George vs Jack story wherein I use 'oysters' as the equalizer.
Any speculation as to why Jack is so decisively (in my opinion) superior in the cocoa scenario is most welcomed and you are encouraged to try it for your own self (MikeK, you have been challenged)!!!!!!!!
BTW, both these whiskies went down like topsy!!!!!!!!!! YUM!