DSR – TN – 016: Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Travelers Sweet & Oaky Straight Tennessee Whiskey
Company/Distillery: Jack Daniel Distillery
Location: Lynchburg, Tennessee
Mash Bill: 70% Rye, 18% Corn, and 12% Malted Barley
Age Statement: No Age Statement
Proof/ABV: 107 Proof/53.5% ABV
Color & Viscosity: In the bottle, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Travelers Sweet & Oaky showcases a rich tawny hue, with warm amber undertones. When poured into a glass, the whiskey takes on a lighter tawny shade that catches the light beautifully.
Tilting the glass reveals a thin viscous line forming along the inner surface. This line lingers before thickening into a well-defined, dense lip. The legs develop gradually, descending in slow, deliberate streaks down the sides of the tasting vessel.
Purchase Price: About $36 on the Carnival Legend Cruise Ship; 500 ml
Bottle Label Information:
Neck Label
107 Proof
Front Label
Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Travelers Sweet & Oaky
Straight Tennessee Whiskey
Limited Edition
Proof 107 | Master Distiller Chris Fletcher | Vol 53.5%
Right Side Label
Tennessee Travelers Sweet & Oaky
Limited Edition
Taste: Caramel, vanilla and toasted oak. Concentrates at mid-palate. Balance of sweet and oak. Great mixer.
Aroma: Balanced character. Sweet, oaky, medium body.
Finish: Creamy and clean.
Left Side Label
Sweet & Oaky
Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Travelers No. 1
Limited Edition
Tennessee Travelers Straight Tennessee Whiskey
The Tennessee Travelers series honors Jack’s desire to see the world. It explores the world of tastes found in the whiskeys crafted in one place in Tennessee; The Jack Daniel Distillery.
Back Label
Made Only in Tennessee U.S.A.
Distillery Background
Jack Daniel Distillery
The year was around 1864, the town was Lynchburg, TN. A young man by the name of Jasper “Jack” Newton Daniel would break out on his own and subsequently meet a preacher by the name of Dan Call. Reverend Dan Call ran a small distillery on his property and would eventually teach Mr. Daniel how to make whiskey. All of this would be accomplished with the help of enslaved craftsman, Nathan “Nearest” Green. Just a few years later in 1866, Mr. Daniel would establish the first US registered distillery known as the Jack Daniel Distillery. Mr. Jack Daniel would eventually go on to lead the distillery with the assistance of his dear friend and head distiller, Nearest Green. In October 1911, Mr. Daniel, in a moment of anger, kicked his safe and sustained an injury that would eventually take his life due to gangrene.
In 156 years of production, the distillery has been lead by only 8 different Master Distillers:
- Jack Daniel (1866-1911) & Nearest Green (1870s-1881)
- Jess Motlow (1911-1941)
- Lem Tolley (1941-1964)
- Jess Gamble (1964-1966)
- Frank Bobo (1966-1988)
- Jimmy Bedford (1988-2007)
- Jeff Arnett (2008-2020)
- Chris Fletcher (2020-Present)
Before his unfortunate death, Jack Daniel moved his distillery to its current location, Cave Spring Hollow, in Lynchburg, TN after purchasing the property for $2,148. This property drew Jack in, due to its natural limestone spring. To this day, the spring is responsible for supplying the distillery with its water for whiskey production. The spring is always a cool 56 degrees and produces approximately 800 gallons of water every minute.
Jack Daniel Distillery prides itself on quality craftsmanship – much of which happens right in Lynchburg, TN. For a distillery the size of Jack Daniel, it is with great pride that they make every single drop of the world’s Jack Daniel’s Tennessee whiskey, right on site at their Lynchburg distillery. They also make their sugar maple charcoal, char their own barrels, and own and operate many of the cooperages in the supply chain. As if all of this is not enough, the distillery still holds the title of the world’s biggest selling American whiskey around the world.
Current offerings from the Jack Daniel Distillery include Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Barrel Proof Tennessee Rye Whiskey, Old No. 7 recipe (also know as “Black Label”), Tennessee Apple, Tennessee Rye, Tennessee Honey, Tennessee Fire, Gentleman Jack, Sinatra Select, Single Barrel 100 Proof, Single Barrel Rye, Single Barrel Barrel Proof, No. 27 Gold, Single Barrel Select, Jack Daniel’s Bonded, Jack Daniel’s Triple Mash, Jack Daniel’s Bonded Rye and many specialty releases.
To read more about the unique history of Jack Daniel and his distillery, visit Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey.
Lincoln County Process
The Lincoln County Process, also known as charcoal mellowing or “The Extra Blessing,” is an important part of the process in making Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey. It is believed that this process was taught to Jack by Nearest Green, early in his life when he worked at the Call Distillery. Jack continued the technique as taught by Nearest Green. This is still an intricate part of the process at Jack Daniel’s today.
Seeing the charcoal mellowing firsthand is really an amazing process to behold. Jack Daniel Distillery takes sugar maple and slowly burns it down to the charcoal that is later used in the mellowing process. The homemade charcoal is placed into large wooden vats that are 10 feet deep. The white dog whiskey then painstakingly drips for 3-5 days through the 10 feet of charcoal where it is given its patented mellow characteristics. (Source)
Tasting Notes
Tasting Date/Vessel: January 25, 2025 – Neat in Glencairn Glass
Nose
Christian: In the bottle, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Travelers Sweet & Oaky smells just as I remember the inside of a rickhouse in Lynchburg smelling. Robust sweet caramel, copious amounts of oak, and just a kiss of smokiness are all there. This aroma was not the traditional Jack Daniel’s aromatics that I have grown to know and love.
In my Glencairn glass, this offering has a buttery component to it. Notes of honey, butter toffee, and a touch of oak saw dust jump from my glass. After a gentle swirl, an elegant floral note arises and is accompanied by sweet molasses and that traditional Jack Daniel’s banana bread.
Mike: Nosing this Tennessee Travelers whiskey straight from the bottle, the first impression is a rich woody aroma, reminiscent of freshly cut oak, followed by subtle hints of maple and brown sugar, evoking warm oatmeal or a freshly baked pastry. These sweet, comforting notes blend seamlessly with the oak, creating a well-balanced and inviting aroma.
From the glass, the whiskey initially presents a dry character, with faint traces of dampened oak shavings emerging on the nose. As it opens up, a second pass reveals a gentle sweetness, with notes of corn and delicate honey adding depth. Finally, the signature Jack Daniel’s banana note emerges, rounding out the aroma with a familiar touch of creamy, fruity richness.
Mouth
Christian: Wow, this Jack Daniel’s offering has a great thick yet creamy viscosity that really coats the tongue nicely. Traditional Jack Daniel’s flavors are found here but with a nice increased injection of sweetness and oak! This whiskey is layered with flavors including sweet corn, banana bread, caramel and buttercream icing. As I continue to sip I can’t help but think of a bakery with those sweet yeasty flavors floating around.
Mike: This whiskey delivers a smooth, silky, and creamy texture that coats the palate with a luxurious mouthfeel. As the name states, the flavor profile is distinctly sweet and oaky, with deep, earthy notes of aged leather and the rich warmth of charred oak. As the whiskey develops, a subtle sweetness emerges, reminiscent of honey bun glaze. This adds a soft, pastry-like richness that continues to linger. Hints of toasted vanilla and light baking spices weave through, enhancing its depth and complexity. The balance of smoky oak, delicate sweetness, and velvety texture creates a well-rounded and satisfying tasting experience.
Finish
Christian: This whiskey has exceptional amounts of heat and flavor in a medium to long finish. A nice heat develops in the chest and continues to warm nicely for some time. Oak is the story here. A dry woody finish that tastes of a toasted oak stave saturated in Jack Daniel’s whiskey. A touch of black pepper spice appears and is enhanced by notes of butter and corn. Finally, a sweetness finishes this experience off with a wisp of maple.
Mike: The finish of this Jack Daniel’s whiskey is long and rewarding, offering a satisfying warmth that lingers gently in the lower throat. It imparts a comforting, cinder-like heat that gradually fades, giving way to smooth buttercream flavors. These creamy notes stay on the palate, adding a velvety richness that enhances the overall experience. The balance of warmth, subtle sweetness, and smooth texture from Jack Daniel’s whiskey culminates in a truly memorable and enjoyable finish.
Our Rating
Final Thoughts
Christian: Jack Daniel’s continues to impress with its newer offerings and limited edition products. Tennessee Travelers Sweet & Oaky continues with that tradition. The label nails this by highlighting the whiskey’s Sweet & Oaky notes that are much more pronounced and robust than the standard Jack Daniel’s bottling. The mouthfeel is simply incredible! The finish offers an experience that I am personally looking for in a whiskey. The 107 proof is perfect! I debated purchasing this whilst cruising the British Isles and I am so glad I decided to pull the trigger. My only disappointment with this offering is the fact I can’t get this regularly in the US. I suppose we will have to cruise the British Isles again once this bottle runs dry.
Rating: 4.00 Rickhouses
Mike: Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Travelers Sweet & Oaky is easily one of my favorite whiskeys from this distillery. It instantly catches your attention with its rich tawny color and smooth texture. The nose is inviting, featuring oak, maple, brown sugar, and that signature Jack Daniel’s banana note. On the palate, it strikes a perfect balance between sweet and oaky, with layers of leather, charred oak, honey bun glaze, and vanilla, adding depth. The finish is warm and creamy, with a buttery smoothness that lingers pleasantly. The 107 proof is spot on, bringing out the whiskey’s full depth without overwhelming the flavors. It’s a shame this gem isn’t available stateside, as it’s truly a standout.
Rating: 4.00 Rickhouses
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