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The Ultimate Review: Jack Daniel’s Gentleman Jack

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OVERALL
RATING

7

The Ultimate Review: Jack Daniel’s Gentleman Jack

Jack Daniel’s Gentleman Jack is crafted using a unique double-mellowing process that sets it apart from the brand’s classic Old No. 7.
  • Phil Dwyer is a freelance whisky writer, YouTuber, and former manager of The Whisky Shop Manchester, UK.
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Tasting Notes:

About:
A ‘double mellowed’ version of Jack Daniel’s that was first launched in 1988. Filtered through another six feet of maple charcoal at the distillery, Gentleman Jack was the first new product released by Jack Daniel’s, and is still one of their most important lines.
Appearance:
Mellow Gold
Nose:
It’s an interesting one. You still get all of those classic banana bread and caramel notes from traditional Jack Daniel’s, but you don’t come across any of those oakier and drier notes that can come out of classic Old No. 7. Still a classically sweet style of American whiskey, but a little lighter than it’s famous brother bottle.
Palate:
A much cleaner tasting liquid that almost glides over your tongue. This thing is all about deep, creamy crème brûlée flavours that give you those nicely toasted sugar notes, and a little taste of that extra charcoal that this has gone through. As you chew on it a little longer, you do get these baked apple, cinnamon notes that really benefit those more toasty notes.
Finish:
A very light style of whisky, indeed. If you found the regular bottle a little too intense for you, this is like thinking of it as Jack Daniel’s Lite. It is gentle, very easy drinking liquid that can do well as a mixer and a neat pour.
Comments:
One of the first bottles of whisky that I ever bought. It’s good liquid but I do prefer the intensity and directness of the classic Old No. 7.

Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by The Whiskey Wash or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.

Important Stats 

Mash Bill: 80% corn, 12% malted barley, 8% rye

Maturation: New, charred, white oak barrels
Filtering: Double charcoal mellowing
Age: Not stated, around 4-7 years
ABV: 40% (80 proof)
Price: $30

Overall Comments 

Jack Daniel’s Gentleman Jack was the first new addition to the JD range in 1988. Named after the man himself, Gentleman Jack is intended to be a more refined alternative to Old No.7, something that is achieved by an extra round of charcoal mellowing. 

Certainly, the double mellowing (during which the whiskey is filtered through an extra six feet of maple charcoal) achieves an incredibly smooth and easy-drinking profile. For me, it might be slightly too smooth. The whiskey still displays some classic Old No.7 notes like dry oak with a hint of sweetness, but I am a huge fan of the bite that comes with Jack Daniel’s Old No.7. 

With that being said, Gentleman Jack is a great choice if you are a fan of smoother whiskeys, or perhaps if you are just starting out on your whiskey journey. 40% is a very palatable ABV to start with. 

Additionally, I wouldn’t be opposed to mixing Gentleman Jack. As I stated in the review above, it is a bit like Jack Daniel’s Lite, and its gentle nature yet traditional JD profile could work well in a cocktail. 

How Is Jack Daniel’s Gentleman Jack Different From Old No.7? 

Jack Daniel’s Gentleman Jack is crafted using a unique double-mellowing process that sets it apart from the brand’s classic Old No. 7. Like all Jack Daniel’s whiskeys, it starts with a mash bill of 80% corn, 12% rye, and 8% malted barley, combined with pure, iron-free water from the distillery’s Cave Spring in Lynchburg, Tennessee. The fermented mash is then distilled in copper stills before undergoing the signature Lincoln County Process, where the clear spirit is slowly filtered through 10 feet of sugar maple charcoal. This step removes impurities and smooths the whiskey’s character before it is placed into new, charred American oak barrels for aging.

What makes Gentleman Jack distinct is that, after aging, it undergoes a second round of charcoal mellowing before bottling. This extra filtration refines the whiskey even further, resulting in a smoother, more balanced flavor profile with notes of vanilla, caramel, and light oak. While Jack Daniel’s does not specify an exact age, Gentleman Jack is typically aged between four and seven years, ensuring it achieves the right maturity and consistency. This careful production process gives it a gentler finish, making it an approachable yet refined Tennessee whiskey.

Gentleman Jack is twice charcoal mellowed.

When & Why Was Jack Daniel’s Gentleman Jack Launched? 

Gentleman Jack made its debut in 1988, with a little help from none other than Lincoln Henderson. If that name rings a bell, it’s because Henderson was instrumental in launching Woodford Reserve in the UK in 1997 and later went on to create Angel’s Envy, one of the most respected craft bourbons in Louisville, Kentucky. A true whiskey legend.

As for why Gentleman Jack was introduced in the first place? The exact reasoning remains a bit of a mystery, but it’s safe to assume it was part of Jack Daniel’s ongoing experimentation—one that turned into one of their most successful releases. Much like the elusive Green Label Jack Daniel’s, Gentleman Jack is matured on the lower floors of the rickhouses, where the conditions lead to a lighter, less oak-forward whiskey. Combine that with its signature double charcoal mellowing, and you get an exceptionally smooth, refined Tennessee whiskey that has earned its place as a staple in the Jack Daniel’s lineup.

What Do The Reviews Say? 

Reddit has increasingly become the go-to forum for whiskey reviewers. Redditor Cocodrool admits “not being a fan of Jack Daniel’s”, but decides to sample Gentleman Jack anyway. Scoring it a comfortable 83 points, they said: “Tennessee whiskey has some great components and brands, and while Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 might not be the best one, Gentleman Jack builds up on that hype and delivers a better product that is still far from perfect, but thankfully not priced that much higher than Old No. 7 to make you believe it’s such a premium. My biggest issue with GJ were some sour notes that reminded me of green wood, but with some ice they tend to disappear. But for someone who doesn’t taste American whiskey that often, GJ has one of the highest oak components in recent memory.” 

Serge Valentin of WhiskyFun is one of the most respected whisky reviewers in the world, having established WhiskyFun in 2002. He sampled Gentleman Jack in April 2011, stating: “[N]ice nose and palate but both are hugely different. Two whiskies in one? – 78 points.” 

How To Enjoy Jack Daniel’s Gentleman Jack 

The Gentleman’s Sour. Credit: Jack Daniel’s

In further homage to Jack Daniel himself, the brand recommends enjoying Gentleman Jack in a Gentleman’s Sour. According to the website, “Like our founder’s disputed date of birth, the true origin of the Whiskey Sour cocktail is near impossible to pinpoint. Much more easily found, however, is the sweet spot where the bold, refined Whiskey Sour intersects with the double mellowed smoothness of Gentleman Jack.” 

Ingredients:

  • 50 ml Gentleman Jack
  • 15 ml Lemon juice
  • 12.5 ml Simple syrup
  • A dash of bitters
  • 15 ml Egg whites (optional)
  • Ice cubes
  • Lemon wedge or twist (for garnish)


Method:

  1. Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with cubed ice.
  2. Add Gentleman Jack, lemon juice, simple syrup, bitters, and egg whites (if using).
  3. Shake vigorously for 20–30 seconds to combine and aerate the mixture.
  4. Half-fill a rocks glass with cubed ice.
  5. Strain the cocktail into the glass.
  6. Garnish with a lemon wedge or twist.
  7. Serve and enjoy!

Phil Dwyer

Phil Dwyer is a freelance whisky writer and consultant. With a decade of experience in whisky retail and nearly as long running Whisky Wednesday on YouTube, Phil is dedicated to sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm with fellow whisky lovers. His goal is to make whisky accessible and enjoyable, dispelling the jargon and complexity that can sometimes surround the spirit. In addition to his online presence, Phil managed The Whisky Shop Manchester, where he curated an impressive selection of some of the finest drams available.

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