George Dickel #12 (White Label)

[CrispyCritter]

This is the first Tennesee whiskey I've had in a very long time - the last time I had a Tennesee (JD Black), I was quite underage, and I'm over 40 now.

Well, GD #12 will be a bottle worth replacing - even though it has a rather spirity nose, it goes down really well. At $16 a bottle, it's a mighty good value, too - $4 less than JD, and it's 90 proof instead of 80!

[AJ123]

Yes, I like GD better than Jack Daniels and am not quite sure why JD has caught on so much more. If you cut GD with water, it's really quite mellow and enjoyable and the equal of many bourbons. it has a little bit of bite aftertaste like an unmellowed rye whiskey, but really it's not bad at all. I'd be very interested in the GD #12 Reserve which I've never seen in a store around here. GD #12 is an amazing value for the $. I keep an open bottle of GD#12 around all the time.

This is the first Tennesee whiskey I've had in a very long time - the last time I had a Tennesee (JD Black), I was quite underage, and I'm over 40 now.

Well, GD #12 will be a bottle worth replacing - even though it has a rather spirity nose, it goes down really well. At $16 a bottle, it's a mighty good value, too - $4 less than JD, and it's 90 proof instead of 80!

[ratcheer]

Yes, GD No 12 was my main American whiskey before I got back into bourbon about five years ago. I had even switched a friend from bourbon to it! And he won't switch back. In my opinion, it is hands down better than JD Black.

However, I am very concerned that with all the ups and downs of the distillery and the Canadian distribution (is that still going on?), it will become only a shadow of its former self before too long.

Tim

[TNbourbon]

...I am very concerned that with all the ups and downs of the distillery and the Canadian distribution (is that still going on?), it will become only a shadow of its former self before too long.

Tim

Tim, a valid concern. George Dickel Distillery was on hiatus from 1999-Fall 2003 because of adequate in-hand stock to furnish then-current sales. The #12 white-label product is generally older than the #8 black-label -- a 'guesstimate' would be 6 years old. Thus, there will not be any 'new' (since 2003) distillate aged properly for #12 till 2009, meaning today's bottlings are at least 7 years old (1999 or before).
Buy today!

[BourbonJoe]

I am another fan of Dickel #12. Years ago, it was my go-to whiskey. I haven't had it in quite a few years, owing to the fact that I prefer Kentucky Sour Mash. It remains, however, one fine whiskey.

[barturtle]

Thus, there will not be any 'new' (since 2003) distillate aged properly for #12 till 2009, meaning today's bottlings are at least 7 years old (1999 or before)

I'm hoping that there is plenty of stock that in 2009 I can still buy 1999 distilled product. The return of SBR! at #12 prices!

[leebo]

I too think GD is a great pour at a good price. I' m not really a fan of JD.In my area GD is about $ 16. GD has a great taste and is a good change from my regular pours of rye and bourbon.

[Dramiel McHinson]

"ratcheer, Yes, GD No 12 was my main American whiskey ... In my opinion, it is hands down better than JD Black.

However, I am very concerned that with all the ups and downs of the distillery and the Canadian distribution (is that still going on?), it will become only a shadow of its former self before too long."

Tim

I've kept informed of the nebulous corporate machinations of the distillate world and though its frightening to think of the ultimate impact on our whisk(e)y, the truth is whisk(e)y has gone global. You can easily trace the owners of Jack Daniel's to a French company but then who owns the French company? It may be the same with George Dickel. Since the big conglomerates own many distilleries (Diageo) they tend to cooperate by distilling, maturing, and bottling in a cooperative effort. Hopefully, the result of whiskey's global maturity will bring us all a better dram and lower prices. I still have dreams....

Dramiel

[ratcheer]

Dramiel, that is exactly what I don't like about the whole deal. You see, one of the things that attracted me to straight American whiskey is the connection to old style, small scale craftsmanship. The idea that a very few people can set up a small factory, use centuries-old methods, and produce a traditional product.

It doesn't really concern me that the multinational conglomerates can use worldwide synergies to produce a product that may be as good or better than the hand crafted efforts.

Tim

[Joeluka]

" You can easily trace the owners of Jack Daniel's to a French company but then who owns the French company?
Dramiel

Doesn't Brown-Forman own JD?? Are they involved with some other company now????