Though best known for its iconic Old No. 7, Jack Daniel’s has a much bigger portfolio of whiskeys, and one that stands out is Single Barrel Select. More complex than the flagship, it is nevertheless overlooked surprisingly often by connoisseurs, perhaps because it sits in the shadow of high-profile releases like the barrel-proof (and sometimes hazmat) Coy Hill and Jack’s age-statement range. But those who drink Single Barrel Select love it, thanks to its consistently high quality and crushable flavor at a price (around $55, sometimes significantly less) that’s hard to beat.

Made from the same recipe as Old No. 7—80% corn, 12% malted, and 8% rye—Single Barrel Select is a few steps up in terms of both proof (47% ABV) and depth of flavor. You might not like the bananas foster character of the JD mashbill, but many people do, and here it takes on a brûléed edge that injects depth and complexity into the familiar sweet, creamy profile. There’s also plenty of oak—lightly tannic and just the right amount of bitter—to counterbalance all those dessert notes.

This whiskey was well ahead of the single barrel boom when it debuted in 1997. Since then, Jack has also unveiled versions at 100 proof and barrel strength, as well as special editions like Single Barrel Heritage Barrel, which is matured in high-toast, low-char casks. But the 94-proof Single Barrel Select remains popular and widely available for a reason. It may be chosen by the Jack Daniel’s tasting staff or by a store or bar owner, but either way the whiskey will be sweet and smooth while avoiding the bland territory its lower-proof siblings tend to occupy. 

Jack's single barrels have enough variety to keep many fans engaged from bottle to bottle, but when you're ready to explore beyond these, there are plenty of whiskeys from other distillers that share similar flavors. Rather than jumping right into another single barrel line—where individual bottlings aren't predictable—we're recommending core whiskeys that provide a consistent drinking experience and a grounding in the brand's house style. These bottles deliver the effortless enjoyment—and similar smooth sweetness—of the best Jack single barrels, again and again. 

Old Forester 1870 Original Batch

Jack and Old Forester share the same parent company, Brown-Forman. And although one is a Tennessee whiskey and the other is a Kentucky bourbon, they share some flavor similarities. In particular, both showcase an estery sweetness that comes from fermentation; while Jack’s is notably banana-forward, Old Forester’s highlights more honey and vanilla ice cream. At 90 proof, the 1870 Original Batch—which pulls together three types of barrels to showcase different entry proofs, age profiles, and aging locations—is a great example of the brand’s house style and a satisfying all-rounder.

Widow Jane 10-Year-Old

Forget the silly claims about New York mine water somehow making this bourbon special; it’s just good whiskey, full stop. The current bottling combines straight bourbons from Kentucky, Indiana, and Tennessee—it’s worth noting that Heaven Hill acquired Widow Jane in 2022, so it’s possible that eventually one of the company’s two Kentucky distilleries will be the source for this brand. For now, the blend’s evenhanded mix of sweet oak and caramel, bottled at 91 proof, requires no pedigree to be enjoyed.

Traveller

It’s okay if you can’t name a single Chris Stapleton song. You can still drink the whiskey he endorses, made by Buffalo Trace master distiller Harlen Wheatley, which is neither bourbon nor Tennessee whiskey but something else altogether. This is a blend whose components haven’t been disclosed, but there is likely a decent amount of straight bourbon in the mix, as well as some light whiskey, corn whiskey, and/or general used-barrel American whiskey (Sazerac states that it contains no neutral spirit). Regardless of the makeup, Traveller is a sweet and straightforward whiskey that rolls right down the middle of the road with flavors of vanilla and chocolate and a warm, cushiony texture. If you get thirsty for something stronger, there’s a new high-proof Traveller sporting a chunky 60.5% ABV. 

George Dickel Barrel Select

Since Tennessee whiskey is a pretty small category, this offering from the state’s number-two distillery was obviously created to compete with Jack—I mean, the names are almost identical, and in fact Dickel’s mashbill is almost exactly the same at 84% corn and 8% each rye and malted barley. This whiskey, however, is batched from multiple barrels, typically showcasing pastry notes of apple pie and pecan roll. It’s proofed to 86 for a milder sip, but punches well above its weight with a minimum of nine years’ maturation. And there’s a single-barrel option for when you’re ready to step up in proof (103) and try out some more varied flavors. 

Sweeten’s Cove Bourbon

This golf course–inspired brand, backed by Peyton Manning and Andy Roddick, hit it right down the fairway with its first release in 2020, a 13-year-old Tennessee bourbon that has long since sold out. But the new flagship bourbon, made by Tennessee Distilling Group and aged for five years, carries through well to the next hole. Proofed to 93.7, it has weight without heaviness and ample sweetness in notes of Werther’s Original and crème brûlée. And it goes down very easy—no need to wait for the 19th hole to wet your whistle with this one.