Whiskey Review: Gentleman Jack Tennessee Whiskey

In this review, we’re diving into Gentleman Jack, a Tennessee whiskey from the legendary Jack Daniel’s distillery. Marketed as a step up from regular Jack Daniel's, Gentleman Jack is nevertheless known for that distillery's signature smoothness thanks to a double charcoal mellowing process: once before barreling, and again after. It's bottled at 80 proof and made from a mash bill of 80% corn, 12% barley, and 8% rye.

We were curious: does Gentleman Jack elevate the Jack Daniel’s experience, or is it just a dressed-up version of the standard pour? Let’s find out.

This review is taken from our podcast episode "On the Waterfront (1954) / Gentleman Jack Tennessee Whiskey." Click the link to listen to this review in audio format.

Nose

Brad: This is a really pleasant nose. The first note that stood out to me was a really nice butterscotch. There’s a lot of vanilla, some honey, and at the end of the day, this is Jack Daniel’s. I’m definitely getting a nice waft of banana.

Bob: I’m at a 7.5/10. And let me say, we shouldn't just assume Jack Daniel’s is synonymous with banana the way Jim Beam is with peanuts, but it is so obvious to me. It smells like a banana Laffy Taffy, like that artificial banana candy. That’s on top of a really oaky, spicy bourbon. It smells more prickly than most 80-proof whiskeys, and I like that. It smells mature in the glass, with a waft of banana candy.

Brad: Yep, I’m with you. It’s a 7.5/10 from me.

Taste

Brad: The taste came through with lots of banana, almost like a campfire fruit: you cut open a banana, toss in toppings, wrap it in foil, and throw it in the fire. That kind of slightly toasted, smoky banana. There's some maple syrup going on, and those burnt notes lean toward burnt toast. There’s a bit of wheat bread too. It’s good, but not great. I’m at a 6/10.

Bob: I was expecting the banana, so I tasted it more. Almost banana pudding on the front, but it quickly shifted into that sour oak note we get on toasted barrel products. It’s more interesting than 99% of 80-proof bourbons we’ve had, but not great. I applaud it for being different, but it’s not a super cohesive experience. I’ll give it a 6.5/10.

Finish

Brad: The finish has that toasted oak, a little bitter and sour. I almost get a pink bubble gum powderiness on the palate. It’s nice. This is a good sipping whiskey for 80 proof, but I don’t think it would hold up well in a cocktail: it’s a little too sweet and the oak isn’t spicy, just bitter and sour. On its own, it’s a 7/10.

Bob: The finish is where the low proof really shows. It comes across watery. You get hints of the palate, but nothing sticks around long enough to make an impression, except the sourness. For me, it’s a 5.5/10.

Balance

Brad: Balance-wise, this is all over the place. It’s a 6/10.

Bob: I’ll go a bit higher at 6.5/10. Sometimes distilleries proof things down to 80 to smooth out the flaws. The progression from nose to taste to finish is definitely a downturn, but not enough to tank the score.

Value

Bob: When we first bought this back in 2019, it was about $28 a bottle. What’s it going for now in Ohio?

Brad: $29.99.

Bob: Not terrible, but I don’t think this is a $30 bottle. Maybe $26–28. Those two extra dollars feel like a stretch. I’ll give it a 6/10. There are better options at this price, and definitely better ones for less, like Rebel 100. That said, it’s a decent example of the Jack Daniel’s profile, and better than regular Jack.

Brad: I’m at a 5/10. It’s not horrible at $30, but you can get something like Cooper’s Craft Bottled in Bond for just a couple bucks more, and that’s a far superior whiskey.

Final Scores

Bob: I think this had a solid start. The nose is interesting, but it doesn’t have the oomph to carry it through. I’m at a 30/50 overall.

Brad: I’m slightly higher at 33.5/50, bringing us to an average of 31.75/50.

Conclusion

With a combined score of 31.75/50, Gentleman Jack falls below our usual recommendation threshold of 35. While it's a pleasant sipping whiskey and a good intro to the Jack Daniel’s flavor profile, we don’t consider it a must-buy. If you’re curious, it’s worth a pour at a bar, but at $30 a bottle, there are simply better options out there. Still, for fans of low-proof, sweet-forward whiskeys with a touch of banana and oak, Gentleman Jack offers an approachable, if unremarkable, entry point.