11-02-2025
An evening in the Valley with Jack Daniel's master distiller
Whiskey aficionados in the Valley got a special treat last week with tasting events hosted by the master distiller from Jack Daniel's.
State of play: Chris Fletcher, Jack Daniel's master distiller since 2020, gave drinkers a whiskey lesson at The Country Club at DC Ranch in Scottsdale and Magnum's Cigar Wine & Liquor.
"I want people to understand the quality and the craftsmanship that goes into making our whiskey," Fletcher told Axios about the tasting events.
Rakesh "Rocky" Patel, owner of Rocky Patel Premium Cigars, was on hand at Magnum's with cigars and a how-to lesson on pairing them with whiskies.
Zoom in: Everyone knows the company's flagship Old No. 7 Tennessee whiskey, but Jack Daniel's has a lot of other offerings.
Attendees got to taste JD's Single Barrel Barrel Proof Tennessee Whiskey, Single Barrel Barrel Proof Rye, Sinatra Select and a special twice-barreled rye that isn't available outside the Lynchburg, Tennessee distillery.
Each tasting came with a cigar chosen for an ideal pairing.
Best pours: The Distillery Series rye was incredible — creamy and smooth, without the spicy bite you'd normally expect.
The barrel-proof rye is the Magnum's store pick, which I thought was particularly tasty.
What's next: Fletcher said Jack Daniel's has some rye whiskey, "some barrels that we've been holding back and watching them," that Fletcher expects to be ready this summer that he's excited about.
