Tennessee Bourbon versus Tennessee Rye
We do not know a lot about Tennessee whiskey, other than it is the home state of Jack Daniel’s, and that should be enough. Still, through some sample shares, two very distinct products from Tennessee landed on my desk. Let us see what we can make of it.
Tennessee Bourbon vintage 2003, bottled at 51,3 % abv by North Star Spirits
First things first: An American oak cask produced 154 bottles made at the Cascade Hollow Distillery in, you guessed it, Tennessee. Better known for their George Dickel brand.Bottled in May 2017, making this a 13 years old whiskey.
Upon Sipping: The nose on this Tennessee Bourbon is very satisfying! Beautiful mint and a warm vanilla aroma, making me think of a good Old-Fashioned straight away. Hints of raisins, almost a sherried sweetness, with elements of charcoal wood and blistering fire. Classic to the nose. On the palate, it flows like silk, releasing beautiful wood spices and a dark vanilla tone that slides right into chocolate territory. The finish is equally soft, like liquid velvet sliding down, with a small pastis flavour. These elements make it a tad a-typical for a bourbon, but it does fit the profile of a Tennessee Whiskey. With water, more woodsmoke and aniseed, generally it stays the same. Some praline in the background. The taste got even sweeter, very luscious and rewarding I must say, without ever getting too woody. The balance on this Tennessee Bourbon is amazing.
Word to the Wise: Brilliant selection by North Star Spirits. This Tennessee Whiskey is not even that close to going over the top, but still I think it was the right time to bottle. We are better off for it!
Score: 88 points.
Tennessee Rye Whiskey 2016, bottled at 55,8 % abv by Archives
First things first: Bottled in the Non-Venomous Snakes series, this Archives expression has captured a 2016 vintage Tennessee Rye and bottled it at 9 years old in June 2025. Barrel # 8 produced 212 bottles. The spirit was carbon filtered.
Upon Sipping: Just like the predecessor, quite an age on this whiskey from Tennessee. More difficult to nose than the bourbon, but in a similar vein it produces a lot of mint and aniseed. Almost like sniffing an empty bottle of Ricard. Tasted head-to-head, it lacks some of the charm we found in the North Star bottling, but on its own this is still nice to nose. It does need water, eventually. The taste is a bit more bland, with hints of dry wood smoke. With water, the nose changes into something wonderfully nostalgic. I am taken back to 1992/1993, when my favourite comic books were only sold in my local tobacco store. It was the days of the Death of Superman, and every week I would go to that store and check if the newest issue was released. Because, come on! What a storyline! This whiskey takes me right back there. Magazine ink, cigarettes, crispy tobacco leaves. With water, it became more accessible and friendly, with a similar silkiness compared to the Norh Star bourbon expression. Finding the difference between the bourbon and the rye is difficult for me. I like both taste sensations, but this Archives is just missing some flair.
Word to the Wise: An American whiskey that I would gladly down a bottle of.
Score: 86 points.