So, everyone’s got their tastes, and if your pick of poison is whiskey, congratulations, you’ve got an excellent taste. This golden Ambrose has an unfair advantage over us. Boys and girls drink beer, and men and women drink whiskey.
It is an acquired taste that every one of us must remember sneaking in stolen sips from our parents’ stash during their weekend getaway. From the times in college that the entire group pooled in money to get one of the halfway decent whiskies, right to the time we broke all out during a friend’s get-together to buy the top-shelf whiskey, everyone’s got their whiskey-laced tales to tell.
A bittersweet relationship is associated with Kirkland’s Tennessee whiskey, with people either swearing by it or against it. There is no middle ground. The name originates thanks to the city of Kirkland, which is located in Washington.
As a supporter of Tennessee whiskey, I will take it upon myself to list down some of the best whiskeys Kirkland, Tennessee, offers. So let’s get down to it.
And you cannot start an article about Tennessee whiskey without mentioning the age-old contradiction of naming it whiskey or bourbon. However, I go by it being whiskey despite the alcohol being made from a mash bill that contains at least fifty-one percent of corn. This is aged in new charred oak containers. Ooh, la la. The signature difference lies in the distillation process.
Smaller producers are now operating in Tennessee, producing whiskey that may not fulfill the legal definition of “Tennessee whiskey” (rye and single malt, for instance), but is distilled and matured in the Volunteer State.
George Dickel Barrel Select
The George Dickel Barrel Select has a unique process of being made. Only 10 barrels are chosen by the master distiller for Barrel Select bottles, resulting in exceptionally special small batches. So you have to stock it up. It is voted to be one of the best Tennessee whiskeys ever made. This drink sets the strong flavor of vanilla and baking spices on the palate, making it resemble a booze-filled confectionery. The distiller selects a small number of barrels aged at least nine to twelve years for their excellent balance and elegance before blending them. Our unique maturing method and charcoal mellowing combine to create a smooth, premium-grade whiskey in a class by itself.
ABV: 43%
Region: Tullahoma
Tasting Notes: Vanilla, Spice, Charcoal
Jack Daniels
One of the whiskeys known by all, Jack Daniels, has a loyal fan base who would kill for it. Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 is also one of the finest and most well-known whiskey brands globally, a legendary spirit typically priced under $30 a bottle. Celebrities such as Frank Sinatra and Keith Richards have been fans of the brand throughout history. Jack Daniel’s is made to every one of bourbon’s quality criteria, but it also goes through a 10-foot process of mellowing over hard sugar maple charcoal.
ABV: 40%
Region: Lynchburg
Tasting Notes: Banana, Vanilla, Oak
Heaven’s Door Straight Bourbon
Heaven’s Door is best recognized as Bob Dylan’s whiskey brand, which is no minor accomplishment. Nashville is currently constructing a distillery in which the whiskey will be made. Meanwhile, the company sources many sorts of whiskey, including this one. Straight bourbon, manufactured in Tennessee but not through the Lincoln County process, stands out. It’s matured for at least six years and gives each sip a mouthful of flavor and texture. Try it back to back to discover how well it holds up to Kentucky bourbon. Good luck with that.
ABV: 46%
Region: Nashville
Tasting Notes: Baking Spice, Vanilla, Caramel
Nashville’s Green Brier
As part of its Belle Meade collection, Nashville’s Nelson’s Green Brier has a lineup of meticulously sourced and exceptionally good whiskey, some with various cask finishes. On the other hand, this Tennessee whiskey is distilled in-house using a mash bill of corn, malted barley, and wheat. Before maturing, the whiskey is processed through sugar maple charcoal, yielding a fresh but delicious whiskey perfect for sipping.
ABV: 45.5%
Region: Nashville
Tasting Notes: Brown Sugar, Cocoa, Cinnamon
Corsair Triple Smoke
Corsair is a Nashville-based boutique distillery that produces a variety of Tennessee whiskeys. Triple Smoke is a single malt whiskey less frequent in this state. It’s made with three different smoked malts—cherry, beechwood, and peat—giving it a complex smoky flavor. If you want an amazing single malt brew, we recommend you start with this one on its own, then venture out and try a cocktail like a Manhattan for a change of pace. Maybe.
ABV: 40%
Region: Nashville
Tasting Notes: Malt, Smoke, Cherry
Conclusion
We bring our list of the best Kirkland, Tennessee whisky to an end. Each whiskey is known for its subtle flavor and nuances. Could you find out your favorite and stick to it?
Happy drinking!
