What's better than Jack Daniels?
 

What would be a good gift for someone who like Jack Daniels whiskey? I'd like to know what the best whiskey's are in this flavor. From research, it seems like Tennessee and Kentucky are very similar and that the single malts are a completely different taste. I've seen JD Single Barrel, but I'm not sure if there's anything better that I should be getting. I'd even be up for putting a nice variety pack together. Thanks for your help!

As for me, I'm a big fan of Jack Daniel's Single Barrel. It explodes with flavor, it's intense, robust, impessive. JD Single Barrel reminds me of a single malt - bourbon style. If you want to stay within the Jack Daniel's line, then how about also getting Gentleman Jack along with the Jack Daniel's and the Single Barrel? :D

Thanks Jojo! Sounds like a great plan. Is there anything you would suggest branching out too? Or is everything else distinctly in a different genre?

I also enjoy Maker's Mark and Bulleit Bourbon. Maker's Mark - creamy, smooth. Charred oak, vanilla. Nose - wood, vanilla, sweet caramel. The finish is warming, perfect and soothing. Delicious. (Just bought a bottle for my husband for Christmas yesterday!) Bulleit Bourbon is top notch - sweet on the nose, lots of flavor, body. Dry, very smooth & smoky. Finish is warming and delightful. An excellent choice!

For more info on Maker's Mark - http://whisky.com/brands/makers_mark_brand.html

And Bulleit Bourbon -
http://whisky.com/brands/bulleit_bourbon_brand.html

Tennessee whiskey
 

The other TENNESSEE whiskey is George Dickel. It's definitely different from JD, but is made by the same charcoal-filtering process used in Tennessee whiskies. I think that would be a much more appropriate non-JD gift than any bourbon (Maker's Mark, Bulleit, or whatever). I prefer George to Jack most any (but not all) days.

As a former Jack Daniel's snob, I would offer this: Jack Daniel's and George Dickel are bourbons, at least according to govt regulations. They are made with 51% (or more) corn and aged in new, charred white oak casks for more than 2 years. It doesn't have to come from Kentucky to be bourbon. As much as JD and GD want to say that Tennessee Whiskey not bourbon, it is really just semantics. Once I got over my snobbery and discovered that JD is a bourbon, because it is made like bourbon, I started tasting -- really tasting -- the competition. There are so many great american bourbons and whiskeys out there, I kick myself for all the years I would not drink anything else (probably about 35 years of stupidity on my part). Try George Dickle (especially No. 12) in a taste test against JD Black. Black label has gone down to 80 proof and the Dickel is still at 90. It's cheaper and tastes better. Or try the Dickel Small Batch at $40. Rated about 92 to 93. Or cross the border and have some the new Maker's 46 (yummy).

Another great whisky is Old Weller No. 107; it is, IMHO, a must for the JD drinker who wants at change. It's my go to Bourbon.