Jack Daniels 12 Year (Batch 3)
Overall Score: 7.5/10
Overall Value: 3.25/5
Distillery: Jack Daniel Distillery
Classification: Tennessee Whiskey
Company: Brown-Forman
Release Date: February 2025 (Batch 3)
Proof: 107
Age: 12 Years
Mashbill: 80% Corn, 12% Malted Barley, 8% Rye
Color: Caramel
MSRP: $95 (2025)
The Barrel Bros’ Review
The nose of the Jack Daniels 12-Year (Batch 3) pour opens with rich and layered notes that blends dark and bright notes seamlessly. You'll notice whipped cream, vanilla pudding, and pineapple upside-down cake at first, giving it a soft, creamy sweetness. Toasted coconut lingers in the background, adding depth.
As it opens up, darker fruit notes like plum, blackberry, and grape jam come forward—almost like a warm blackberry cobbler or a jar of homemade preserves. Surprisingly, the classic Jack Daniel’s banana note is nearly absent in this batch, replaced by bold fruit and dessert-like notes.
The mouthfeel of the palate is lightly oily and well-balanced, delivering a profile that’s both sweet and dark. Red vines candy and dark oak greet you up front, then give way to deeper notes of coffee, tobacco, charred wood, and plum. There’s a touch of caramel and butterscotch that flickers in and out, never taking center stage but adding complexity. With a few more sips, you might catch hints of orange and banana nut muffin—unexpected, but pleasant.
The finish leans into a dark, sweet profile. Woodiness and soft spice build gently, and you’re left with a lingering note of vanilla fudge or butterscotch. Though not overpowering, the finish could be longer—it fades a bit quicker than expected for a whiskey this rich. Still, there’s enough staying power to keep it satisfying.
We found Jack Daniel’s 12-Year Batch 3 to be a nuanced, fruit-forward bourbon with impressive depth and character. While it doesn’t quite reach the highs of Batch 1, it still stands tall as a well-crafted, limited-age-stated release. With an MSRP that hovers in premium territory, this bottle offers complexity and dark sweetness that justify the price—especially if you find it on sale. If you're a fan of deep fruit, balanced oak, and classic Tennessee whiskey with a twist, Batch 3 is worth your shelf space.
If you’re looking for specific notes from our Barrel Bros, read their individual reviews below!
Advertisement
Individual Reviews
The Rye Guy Says
Score: 7.5/10
Value: 3/5
THE NOSE:
Whipped cream, vanilla pudding, and pineapple upside down cake.
Maybe a bit of toasted coconut as well.
It really reminds me of all things yellow fruit combined with rich cream.
THE TASTE:
The mouthfeel has a light oil texture to it. The flavor I get is like sweet red vines and a bit of dark oak.
The dark profiles are pretty heavy here like coffee, char, plum, tobacco, and caramel.
Also maybe a bit of orange after multiple sips.
THE FINISH:
I get a bit more of the woodiness on the finish along with continued sweetness.
Reminds me of vanilla or butterscotch fudge and banana nut muffin.
BUY OR PASS?
I don’t think this one hit quite as well as batch 1, but it is a very well rounded and complex pour. Mostly sweet with a really rich and dark profile throughout.
The Hunter Says
Score: 7.5/10
Value: 3.5/5
THE NOSE:
This one is rich with dark fruit. I get plum and blackberry, almost like a warm blackberry cobbler.
There’s also a strong grape jam note that reminds me of the better batches of Midwinter Night’s Dram.
One thing I don’t pick up at all—surprisingly—is that usual Jack Daniel’s banana note. It’s all dark, rich fruit here.
THE TASTE:
The fruit from the nose carries over beautifully to the palate. Plum and blackberry are front and center, and it packs a lot of flavor for 107 proof.
There are hints of caramel and butterscotch that pop in now and then, but they never really take the spotlight, which is a bit of a letdown.
Still, the fruity flavor is bold and enjoyable.
THE FINISH:
The finish is soft and a bit muted.
There’s a gentle, dark sweetness that lingers, and a touch of oak comes in right at the end.
It’s not overpowering, but I did find myself wishing it lasted a bit longer.
BUY OR PASS?
This is a great pour—definitely something I’d pour on a weekend night. It leans into those dark, fruity flavors I love, but it doesn’t quite live up to batch 1.
Still, it’s a strong showing from Jack Daniel’s, just not quite top tier for me.
