U.S. military largest purchaser of Jack Daniel’s single barrel

According to Jeff Arnett, Jack Daniel’s Master Distiller, the U.S. Military boasts the “title” of the purchaser who buys the most of the brand’s premium Single Barrel whiskey in the world.

The Business Insider reported that the price for an entire barrel of whiskey can range from $9,000 to $12,000.  The variation in price is based upon volume, since no two whiskey barrels are exactly the same.

Only 1 in 100 barrels meets the high caliber for the select 94-proof Single Barrel whiskey.  On average, a barrel produces approximately 250 bottles of the premium liquor.

“Over the entire span of when the program has existed, the U.S. military is the largest purchaser.  It has been represented by base exchanges, individual unites, as well as other on-base military entities like Officers’ clubs,” said Arnett.

MSN News reported that Single Barrel whiskey was first sold in 1997.  It was such a huge success that Jack Daniel’s created the “By the Barrel” program.

A prospective buyer tours the distillery in Lynchburg, Tennessee and meets with an expert taster.  Then the buyer samples whiskey from 3 handpicked barrels.  Once a barrel is selected, the buyer will later receive the empty barrel with around 250 filled bottles.  Each bottle is individually numbered and fitted with a custom metal hanging tag.  The top of the barrel is engraved.

A special plaque in the distillery’s Single Barrel room is hung with the buyer’s name.  If more than one barrel is purchased, a medallion is placed on the plaque for each additional one.  MacDill Air Force Base’s takes the top honors with a plaque shows the purchases of 7 barrels.

According to Arnett, handmade charred oak barrels gives Jack Daniel’s its color and flavor.  The difference between their regular product and the Single Barrel whiskey is that the premium liquor sits at the highest level in the distillery’s barrelhouses.  The temperatures reaches about 120 degrees Fahrenheit at that level.  This gives the whiskey a darker color and more robust flavor.

In appreciation of U.S. military troops all over the world, Jack Daniel’s has created a program called Operation Ride Home.  Since 2011, the program has assisted service members with free travel from their bases to their homes so that they can celebrate the holidays with their loved ones.

“The men and women of our armed forces have been some of the best friends of Jack Daniel’s over the years, and Operation Ride Home is a continuation of our longstanding support of our nation’s military,” said Arnett.