Jack Daniel’s releases Single Barrel Rye, a robust new whiskey

Although Jack Daniel's has one of the most recognized brand names on the spirits shelf, the Tennessee whiskey company isn't content resting on its laurels — and continues to release new, higher priced whiskeys for connoisseurs of the dark aged liquor.

The latest to hit the market is Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Rye, the third in its Single Barrel collection and the first new grain recipe from the company in more than 100 years. Released last month, it’s going for a retail price of $49.99.

Jack Daniel’s master distiller Jeff Arnett has been playing around with rye recipes for a few years, but this one is the first fully matured rye to debut. Robust and full-bodied like the other whiskeys in the Single Barrel collection, it’s rather different from the limited release batches of Rested Rye in 2014 and Unaged Rye in 2012, which take drinkers on a journey through rye’s maturation over time. The Single Barrel Rye, according to Arnett, was crafted very carefully.

“You never want to over-barrel a rye whiskey, so it was important for us to stay true to the style with a grain-forward character, rather than barrel character, while still allowing our barrels to interplay with the whiskey,” Arnett said in a news release.

Try it neat or in a cocktail like this one, which will let the slightly sweet and spicy whiskey come alive.

Single Barrel Old Fashioned

6 oz. Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Rye

1 oz. simple syrup

4 dashes Angostura bitters

1 Maraschino Cherry

Garnish orange peel

Gently muddle orange peel, cherry, simple syrup and bitters in an old-fashioned glass. Add ice and stir in part of the rye until it dilutes. Keep adding the rye and ice. Garnish with orange peel.