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The Master Distiller of Jack Daniel’s in his first visit to India, hosted a special ‘Masterclass’ which included a tasting session of the Jack Daniel’s family of brands
New Delhi, India – March 6, 2018: Jeff Arnett, The Master Distiller of Jack Daniel’s, conducted a very special Masterclass for a walk through of the brand, including tasting whiskies from the portfolio of the oldest registered distillery in the USA.
Arnett is one of only a handful of individuals who have held the title of Master Distiller in the history of the distillery which began production in 1866 and this is his first visit to India.
Jeff, often said to have one of the best jobs in the world, spoke about various aspects on the history and legacy of the oldest registered distillery of USA and the nuanced craft of making Jack Daniel’s. He also gave fantastic insight into his experiences and his life in Lynchburg, Tennessee, a dry county since the early 20th century, which is also the home of the only Jack Daniel distillery in the world.
The Masterclass enabled the audience to learn more about this unique whiskey and one-of-a-kind experience and discover how Jack Daniel’s differs from Scotch and Bourbon. Jack Daniel’s is dripped slowly, drop-by-drop, through ten feet of firmly packed charcoal before going into new charred oak barrels for maturing. This special step of charcoal mellowing makes Jack Daniel’s a Tennessee Whiskey and renders it a rare smoothness.
The tasting session included Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7, Gentleman Jack, Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey and Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fire.
ABOUT JEFF ARNETT
Jeff Arnett was named master distiller of the Jack Daniel Distillery in 2008. His supervision of the entire whiskey-making process of milling, yeasting, fermentation, distillation, charcoal mellowing and maturation ensures the world’s top-selling whiskey label is both in constant supply and true to Jack’s guiding belief that “Every day we make it, we’ll make it the best we can.”
In 2001, Jeff took his first job at the distillery in quality control and overseeing Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel. Since then, his work in a variety of capacities throughout the distillery, including warehousing, maturation, distillation, charcoal mellowing management, barrel quality and bottling, as well as being a member of the Master Tasters’ panel, have primed him to spearhead the entire operation. Jeff was honored by Whisky Magazine as “Master Distiller of the Year” in 2017.
Arnett is one of only a handful of individuals who have held the title of Master Distiller in the history of the distillery which began production in 1866. Jeff is proud to accept the enormous responsibility that comes with having one of the most envied jobs in the world.
A native of Jackson, Tenn., Arnett received a degree in industrial engineering and worked the food and beverage manufacturing industry for 11 years before moving to Lynchburg in 2001. Jeff and his wife, Lori, have two children. When not in Lynchburg, Jeff travels the world as an ambassador for Jack Daniel’s, sharing the brand’s stories with all he meets.
BRANDS INFORMATION
Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7
Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 is the world-famous whiskey awarded seven international gold medals, including the one collected by Mr. Jack Daniel himself at the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis.
It received highest honors then as the “world’s best whiskey.” The secret of its international success is the unique taste that comes from our old-time charcoal mellowing process. Today, Jack Daniel’s Black Label continues to make new friends around the world. And folks still have plenty of nice things to say about it. Because it is matured to peak perfection, this well-rounded and balanced medium amber whiskey has a pleasant mix of caramel, vanilla and wood notes.
Gentleman Jack
During his life, Mr. Jack Daniel tried his hand at charcoal mellowing his whiskey twice to heighten the benefits imparted by hard sugar maple charcoal. Based on Mr. Jack’s early notion, the Jack Daniel Distillery introduced this whiskey in 1988, because some occasions call for a gentler Jack. Gentleman Jack is crafted from a slightly different recipe and, unlike any whiskey in the world, is charcoal mellowed twice, once before and once after aging. It’s been called Tennessee’s answer to a fine cognac…silky and soft…caramel and fruit (black currant and mandarin), laced with vanilla and smoke. It’s a light amber, delicate, yet balanced Tennessee whiskey. Folks in Lynchburg simply admire it for its “gentle” farewell.
Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel
Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel whiskey is as individual as the variations in the oak wood from barrel to barrel. As a result, bottles drawn from individual barrels will offer subtle differences in nose, color and taste. It is a dark amber single barrel whiskey, that rests in the upper floors of the warehouses where the whiskey’s color and taste deepen and mature an extra measure. Master Distiller Jeff Arnett and a team of tasters select the whiskey when it reaches its peak maturity. They taste for a singular combination–the robust flavor of a single barrel and the smooth character of Jack Daniel’s. What finally emerges from the wood is a bold full-bodied whiskey with heightened flavors of toasted oak, vanilla and caramel. Stands up to the richest of cigars.
Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey
Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey, introduced in 2011, is crafted with world renowned
Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 Tennessee Whiskey. The whiskey is mingled with a proprietary honey liqueur resulting in a unique, smooth offering. Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey brings together two complementary tastes in a new way. The quality and character of Tennessee Honey is in keeping with the Jack Daniel’s tradition. The flavor characteristics of honey greatly complement Jack Daniel’s uniquely smooth charcoal-mellowed character. With hints of honey and other natural flavors creating a complex taste profile, the product is unlike any other offering in the honey category. Serve chilled straight or in drinks with other mixers like lemonade, tea or ginger ale.
Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fire
Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fire is a finely crafted, red-hot cinnamon spirit from the historic Jack Daniel Distillery. The mingling of Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey and cinnamon liquor results in a sweet and fiery kick that complements the smooth and delicious taste of Jack Daniel’s, giving a unique finish, full of unmistakable character. This is the distillery’s second flavor variation, following the wildly successful Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey.
About Jack Daniel’s
Officially registered by the U.S. Government in 1866 and based in Lynchburg, Tenn., the Jack Daniel Distillery, Lem Motlow, proprietor, is the first registered distillery in the United States and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Jack Daniel’s is the maker of the world-famous Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 Tennessee Whiskey, Gentleman Jack Rare Tennessee Whiskey, Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Tennessee Whiskey, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fire, Jack Daniel’s Sinatra Select and Jack Daniel’s Country Cocktails. Today, Jack Daniel’s is a true global icon found in more than 170 countries around the world and is the most valuable spirits brand in the world as recognized by Interbrand.
