363: Jack Daniel's New Tanyard Hill Rye & Heritage Barrel with Chris Fletcher

In this episode of The Bourbon Lens Podcast, Jake and Scott sit down with Chris Fletcher, Master Distiller at Jack Daniel's Distillery, to discuss several of the most exciting recent and upcoming releases from the historic Tennessee distillery. The conversation covers the debut of Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Heritage Barrel Tennessee Whiskey, a new year-round offering built around barrels matured at the distillery's highest elevations. Chris walks through the unique Heritage Barrel program, how lower barrel entry proof and warehouse placement influence flavor, and why this release reflects Jack Daniel's traditional approach to whiskey making. Jake and Scott also dive into the latest Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Special Release Tanyard Hill Rye, a barrel proof Tennessee rye aged in one of the distillery's earliest barrelhouses located atop the historic Tanyard Hill site. The group discusses how location-driven maturation, long aging, and high proof combine to create a powerful and complex rye whiskey. Additional topics include the introduction of a new 3-liter Jack Daniel's bottle, the continued evolution of Jack Daniel's limited and special releases, and the distillery's high-profile partnership with McLaren Formula One, two-time reigning World Constructors' Champions. Throughout the episode, Chris shares insight into how Jack Daniel's balances heritage, innovation, and global reach while staying rooted in Lynchburg. Featured Whiskeys & Release Details Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Heritage Barrel Tennessee Whiskey Distillery: Jack Daniel Distillery, Lynchburg, TN Whiskey Type: Tennessee Whiskey Mash Bill: 80% corn, 8% rye, 12% malted barley Proof: 100 proof (also barrel entry proof) Age: 8 years MSRP: $69.99 (2025) Availability: Year-round, Single Barrel Collection Matured at least seven years in Jack Daniel's highest-elevation barrelhouses, Heritage Barrel delivers a soft oak nose with vanilla and graham cracker, followed by rich flavors of vanilla, marshmallow, and toffee. The finish lingers with brown sugar and oak, offering a balanced, classic Tennessee whiskey profile. Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Special Release Tanyard Hill Rye Whiskey Type: Barrel Proof Tennessee Rye Whiskey Mash Bill: 70% rye, 18% corn, 12% malted barley Distillation Date: November 2015 Barrelhouse: Tanyard Hill Barrel House 1 Proof Range: 130.2–148.8 proof (65.1%–74.4% ABV) Bottle Size: 700mL MSRP: $79.99 Availability: Limited, nationwide Aged in one of the earliest barrelhouses on the Jack Daniel's campus, Tanyard Hill Rye showcases dark fruit and sweet oak aromas, with flavors of candied mint, dark chocolate, and baking spice. The finish brings clove, sweet tobacco, and oak, highlighting the intensity and depth that come from long aging and barrel proof bottling. Stream this episode on your favorite podcast platform, and if you enjoy what you hear, we'd love for you to leave us a review. We're incredibly grateful for your continued support over the past six years. A special thank you goes out to our amazing community of Patreon supporters—your support helps keep Bourbon Lens going strong! If you're enjoying the podcast, consider leaving a 5-star rating, writing a quick review, and sharing the show with a fellow bourbon enthusiast. You can follow us @BourbonLens on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and X. Want to go a step further? Support us on Patreon for exclusive behind-the-scenes content, Bourbon Lens swag, access to our Tasting Club, and more. Have questions, feedback, or guest suggestions? Drop us a line at [email protected]. Explore BourbonLens.com for blog posts, the latest whiskey news, our full podcast archive, and detailed whiskey reviews. Cheers, Scott & Jake Bourbon Lens   Image Credit: Jack Daniel Distillery