single barrel

For all of you that thought I had forgotten about whiskey...I didn't.

Two weekends ago Elaine and I had a house warming party for our new house-house. My brother warmed the party with a gift which warmed my stomach: Jack Daniels Single Barrel.

As part my commitment to public service, I descended upon the goal of comparing single barrel to Jack original. I poured a little of each into my favorite tumbler. I sipped. I tasted. I pretended I know what I was doing (other than tying on a nice buzz).

Here's my thoughts:
1) Single Barrel tastes better. A lot better. I usually drink Maker's Mark because it has a "fuller" taste than Jack (and because Jack changed their recipe to make a profit). Jack Single Barrel has the same fullness of Maker's Mark, so I like it.

What do I mean by "fullness"? Ever have a cup of weakly brewed folgers coffee, so weak it was almost clear? Compare that to a dark roasted sumatra from your favorite coffee shop. The later is "full." It coats your tongue, feels smooth in your mouth, it's flavor lingers. The former, the folgers, isn't anything; it's mostly just water. I prefer fullness in my whiskey and in my coffee.

2) If you drink 3 glasses of each, you will get drunk.