Origin: Tennessee (USA)
Type: Tennessee Straight Whiskey
Strength: 57.8%ABV
Ageing cask: New
Chillfiltered: No
Added colouring: No
Owner: Daddy Rack Whiskey Co.
Average price: € 85.00
Official website: www.daddyrack.com
Vote: 86/100
Behind this nickname, bestowed on him by his daughter, is London-born J. Arthur Rackham, who has been in the spirits business for several decades, starting in his father’s shop and then working with the Camus family in the production of cognac. From there, his career led him to deal commercially with various spirits such as cognac, armagnac and calvados all over the world, building a reputation as an expert in the field.
In 2020, the decision was made to use his experience to become a producer, in the role of master maker and blender, of this label under which you find whiskey chosen from local (undeclared) producers made according to his indications.
Given the denomination, it follows the specific rules of what is (in fact) a bourbon, subjected to the mellowing process by filtering it through maple charcoal (the Lincoln County Process) before ending up in the cask, adding a second filtration before bottling. It’s column distilled with a second pot still passage from a sour mash (80% locally sourced corn, 10% rye and 10% malted barley) and aged for about four years in lightly charred casks.
This bottle (151 of 210) is from the 2022 edition with an ageing of three years and eight months, barrel number 4 specifically, following the same principles as the standard edition.
Tasting notes
On the nose, the first thought is of softness, with the strength fully integrated in the aromas of caramel, maple syrup, dates, toffee and a marked spicy note (nutmeg, cinnamon). Intense and full, it shows vegetal and mineral veins that dampen the wave of sweetness, leading it over time to become more delicate and elegant with a slight hint of wood. Mellifluous.
In the mouth, the spiciness tingles decisively thanks to ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon and a hint of aniseed, but soon all the warmth of the distillate arrives with chocolate and coffee, followed closely by the company of the nose, albeit with less incidence. The tones are in fact declined more on the bitter side, the vegetal part leaves a clear imprint on the flavours, bringing with it nuts (roasted peanuts, macadamia) and a fresh balsamic note with menthol traits, especially along the length.
The finish is quite long and fresh, where the balsamic continues, blowing on spices, coffee, chocolate and caramel.
I have repeatedly declared my lack of affinity with bourbon (and its declinations), but this Tennessee whiskey is a jewel of balance and elegance, with strength and workmanship that smooth out the edges making it a dangerously pleasant dram, certainly excellent in mixology but with great satisfaction on its own.