TNbourbon wrote:Honestly, I can't keep my nose in a glass of any JD long enough to evaluate the aromas. Shellac, turpentine -- well, could well be. Simply put, I don't like it, nor the taste that much. I won't spit it out, but I won't put myself in position of having to decide very often.
Ironically, the GJ is the best of the lot, as far as I'm concerned, though that's not saying much. If I have to drink Tennessee whiskey, give me Dickel #12.
I know some of you are familiar with my view on this, but I may as well expose my unsophisticated palate to all:
I like JD! I like the SB, I like GJ, I like plain ol' Jack Black; Jack Green was okay last I had it, but I'll admit that's been years.
My view is that TN whiskey is (despite the near identical production process) when it comes to palate, a completely different animal from bourbon. That charcoal does SOMETHING dramatic to the flavor that one either likes or one doesn't. Maybe it is functionally a short-cut for aging, but so be it.
I like GJ the best of all the TN whiskeys, and I think it's because that charcoal altered flavor is most prominent. The SB is a close second, but I think it's closeness is only because the proof is higher and the flavor a bit more concentrated. I bet at 94 proof, I would like GJ even better.
Dickel #12 is good, but the alteration less dramatic; therefore, I personally think that's why most who dislike the Lincoln County Process flavor will somewhat reluctantly designate Dickel 12 as "drinkable."
Discussions of marketing and proof lowering aside, I think JD makes a distinctive product line. There really is nothing else like it.
Dare I ask if anyone else here likes JD?