Tennessee whiskey and Ice
gettyJack Daniels took top honors at the prestigious 2025 World Whisky Awards America, a highly respected competition in the whiskey industry. Jack Daniels Triple Mash was chosen as The Best American Style Whiskey, and Jack Daniel’s 12 YO Batch #2 was selected as the World’s Best Tennessee Whiskey. Uncle Nearest Master Blend Edition Batch #32, an exceptional whiskey, was chosen as the Best No Age Statement Tennessee Whiskey. Below is a brief background and tasting notes of each whiskey.
Jack Daniel's Triple Mash, 50% ABV, 700 ml. $33
Jack Daniel's Triple Mash is a relatively recent innovation from Jack Daniel's Distillery, a brand synonymous with Tennessee whiskey. The Triple Mash is part of Jack Daniel’s Bonded Series, designed to appeal to whiskey connoisseurs seeking a bolder and more robust whiskey experience.
This whiskey combines Jack Daniel's Tennessee whiskey, rye, and bourbon in a unique blend, offering a complex flavor profile. The Triple Mash combines three different mash bills: 20% Tennessee Whiskey Mash Bill (80% corn, 12% barley, 8% rye), 20% American Malt Mash Bill (100% malted barley), and 60% Rye Mash Bill (approximately 51% rye, 39% corn, 10% malted barley). All three whiskeys are straight Bottled in Bond whiskeys.
The whiskeys are produced using the Lincoln County Process, a unique method of filtering the whiskey through maple wood charcoal before aging it in charred new oak barrels. This process, which is a defining characteristic of Tennessee whiskey, imparts a smooth and mellow flavor to the whiskey. The Triple Mash is bottled at 50% ABV/ 100 proof, making it a bottled-in-bond offering.
The nose is rich and layered, featuring caramel, vanilla, and a touch of smoky oak. There is a light spicy rye presence, with hints of cinnamon and cloves and a sweet undertone of toffee and dark fruit.
The whiskey is bold and full-bodied on the palate, with vanilla, caramel, and butterscotch flavors. The rye influence is highlighted by black pepper and spicy clove notes, while the bourbon base adds richness with sweet oak and a touch of dark chocolate.
The finish is long and slightly sweet, with lingering spice and oak notes and a gentle smokiness from the charcoal filtering process.
Barrels of whiskey aging in one of the barrel houses at the Jack Daniel Distillery in Lynchburg, Tennessee. (Photo by: Ron Buskirk/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty ImagesJack Daniel's 12 YO Batch #2, 53.5% ABV, 700 ml. $104.99
Jack Daniel's 12 YO Batch #2 is a part of a highly exclusive limited-edition series from Jack Daniel’s. This release is a celebration of Jack Daniel’s long history and craftsmanship, with the 12 YO expression providing a richer, more refined version of its classic Tennessee whiskey. This limited edition batch has aged longer than typical Jack Daniel’s expressions, allowing for a richer, more nuanced, layered complexity and a smooth finish that honors the brand's legacy.
The whiskey is based on Jack Daniel’s standard Tennessee whiskey mash bill of 80% corn, 12% barley, and 8% rye. It’s aged for 12 years in heavily charred oak barrels. The barrels are initially placed on the top floors of the rick house and later moved to lower floors to allow for more extended aging. The intense wood interaction imparts rich flavors from the wood and allows the spirit to mellow and develop more complex layers.
Like all Jack Daniel’s whiskey, it undergoes the Lincoln County Process before being aged in barrels.
The nose features toasted oak and vanilla, with hints of honey and a slight smokiness from the charcoal-mellowing process. There are also pronounced notes of caramelized sugars, dried fruit aromas of raisin and fig, and a touch of spice from the oak.
The whiskey is rich, flavorful, and full-bodied on the palate, featuring dark caramel, toffee, and vanilla bean flavors. There’s a complex mix of oak spice, including cinnamon, nutmeg, and a light touch of black pepper, with a subtle fruitiness of dried cherries and plums.
The finish is long and sweet, with lingering notes of caramel, oak, and a hint of smoke, leaving a smooth, satisfying aftertaste with a touch of spice.
Jack Daniel's whiskey products on display at the Visitor Center of the Jack Daniel Distillery in Lynchburg, Tennessee. (Photo by: Ron Buskirk/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty ImagesUncle Nearest Master Blend Edition Batch #32, 59% ABV, 750 ml. $149
Uncle Nearest is a premium brand of Tennessee whiskey that honors the legacy of Nathan "Nearest" Green, the first African-American master distiller known for teaching Jack Daniel the art of whiskey-making.
The Master Blend Edition Batch #32 is one of the brand’s limited-edition releases, showcasing a meticulously crafted blend of some of their finest aged whiskeys. This batch is an excellent representation of the distillery's unwavering commitment to quality, heritage, and craftsmanship.
Uncle Nearest whiskeys typically feature a corn-based mash bill with rye and barley, but the exact mash bill for Batch #32 may vary depending on the blend. Generally, the distillery does not disclose the components of their mash bills. This whiskey combines different aged whiskeys in new charred oak barrels after undergoing the Lincoln County Process.
The nose is rich and aromatic, with prominent vanilla, caramel, and brown sugar notes. There’s a hint of spicy rye, complemented by oak, dark chocolate, and a slight tobacco leaf aroma. It’s a complex and inviting nose that speaks to the careful blending of aged whiskeys.
The whiskey is full-bodied and robust on the palate, with layers of butterscotch, toffee, and cinnamon. The rye spices come through with black pepper, cloves, and slight anise notes. There’s also a strong oak influence, with flavors of cedar and tobacco adding richness and depth.
The finish is long and sweet, with a layered, nuanced complexity featuring lingering oak, spice, and caramel notes. A touch of dark chocolate and vanilla gives a smooth and refined aftertaste.
Two bottles of Jack Daniel's whiskey and a shot glass full of whiskey.
gettyEach of these whiskeys presents a unique experience, from the boldness of the Triple Mash to the depth and complexity of the Master Blend and the smooth, well-matured flavors of the 12-Year-Old Batch #2.
The Jack Daniel's Triple Mash offers a bold, balanced, Tennessee whiskey-influenced rye with caramel, vanilla, and oak flavors alongside complex rye spice. Jack Daniel's 12 YO Batch #2 is a limited-edition, well-aged Tennessee whiskey with rich vanilla, caramel, and oak spice, delivering a smooth finish with subtle fruit and spice. In contrast, Uncle Nearest Master Blend Edition Batch #32 offers a deep and rich blend of aged whiskeys with complex layers of vanilla, rye spice, oak, and dark chocolate, delivering a long and satisfying finish.
The World Whisky Awards (WWA) is an annual competition that recognizes and celebrates the best whiskies from around the globe. The America Edition recognizes American whiskeys. The awards feature categories across whisky styles, including single malt, blended, bourbon, rye, and grain whiskies. Entries are judged by a panel of experts from the whisky industry, who assess the whiskies based on their taste, aroma, complexity, and overall quality.
The Awards highlight the finest whisky expressions each year and serve as a benchmark for whisky lovers, collectors, and industry professionals. The awards culminate in announcing the best whiskies in multiple categories, including the prestigious title "World's Best Whisky and Best Tennessee Whiskey." The event has grown in stature, offering a significant platform for distilleries to gain recognition on a global scale.
See also the World’s Best Bourbon, Small Batch and Single Barrel Bourbon, American Rye Whiskey and Best Single Cask Rye Whiskey according to The World Whiskey Awards.
