Jack Daniel's Old No. 7 vs Gentleman Jack Comparison
In this second Jack Daniel’s comparison, the first comparing Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 and Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel, I compare Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 to Gentleman Jack. To become Gentleman Jack, Jack Daniel’s undergoes a second maple charcoal filtration prior to bottling, supposedly further mellowing and refining the whiskey. The question is: can you even tell the difference? Let’s dive in this Jack Daniel’s Comparison and see just how different Old No.7 and Gentleman Jack really are.
The below table outlines key facts and figures for each Jack Daniel’s whiskey.
As an FYI, I bought and use these Glencairn glasses from Amazon for my reviews and comparisons (because they’re the best): Glencairn Crystal Whiskey Glass, Set of 6, Clear, 6 Pack. Full transparency, this is an affiliate link, so I may earn a commission if you buy this or something else from Amazon.
How do they Compare?
How to Read the Chart
Jack Daniel’s is in blue and Gentleman Jack is in orange. The center of the circle indicates none of a trait. Further out the line indicates a stronger presence of that trait.
The scale (from inside to out):
– None
– Light
– Light-Moderate
– Moderate
– Moderate-Strong
– Strong
And the winner is...
Your eyes are not deceiving you, Old No. 7 and Gentleman Jack are pretty much the same. Therefore, Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 wins by default because it’s cheaper. The second charcoal filtering that creates Gentleman Jack seems to subtly changes the scents and flavors, but I had a hard time clearly picking them apart. From what I can tell, it may remove a little of the harsher wood and brittle notes, and slightly mellow out the alcohol. Gentleman Jack may also be a bit sweeter and nuttier, resulting in flavors that pop just a little more, but it’s all very subtle.
I wouldn’t be able to tell these two apart in a blind comparison, or at least not with any certainty. The second charcoal filtering seems like a way for Jack Daniel’s to charge more money for pretty much the same whiskey, so I recommend skipping Gentleman Jack. If you’re looking to upgrade your Jack Daniel’s experience, I recommend Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel. It’s a fantastic, drinkable, and approachable whiskey that I enjoy.
Whiskey is also for sharing, so I use Vivaplex, 12, Amber, 2 oz Glass Bottles, with Lids for smaller samples and Vivaplex, 12, Amber, 4 oz Glass Bottles, with Lids for larger ones. Full transparency – This is an Amazon affiliate link so I may earn a commission if you buy this or something else. Regardless, I actually use these myself.
