The Jack Daniel's Whiskey We Ranked Last Isn't An Ideal Cocktail Mix-In

Whiskey is generally a pretty easy mixer for all kinds of cocktails. The Kentucky bourbon variety shines in a mint julep's silver cup. As the scotch in a rusty nail, whiskey loses a letter and becomes whisky. And it's been boozing up toddies and coffees for as long as folks have been spiking either. But, even with all of the entry-level whiskey brands and top shelf bottles on the market, some just marry better with all those other ingredients than others. There are hits and misses even under a single label, in fact. So Chowhound took a taste of the fan-favorite Jack Daniel's lineup to shake out just what you might want to shake up.

Jack Daniel's Tennessee blackberry variety pulled up the rear in our ranking. Although it did taste convincingly like that titular botanical while retaining the presence of whiskey, it was really too sweet for anyone who isn't simply looking to mask the true essence of the base spirit. Now, if you just happen to have a stack of recipes calling for a dose of blackberry liquor, then this is certainly for you (and maybe you alone). But tip it into those juleps, rusty nails, toddies, and coffees, and it would be ruinous. That is to say nothing of what it might do to the famous Jack and Coke. And that absence of versatility just doesn't make it a great addition to your bar.

Knowing how much even a decent whiskey can do, we were looking for the ones that can actually earn their spot on your bar cart. Those at the top of our list, like Jack Daniel's bonded rye, were just way more efficient choices for your money and your precious space. The bonded rye, for example, was smooth enough to sip on its own, with enough spice and a touch of sweetness to keep things lively. Its dynamic but balanced qualities also help it blend way more seamlessly into cocktails and mixed drinks than the fruit-flavored offering. Add Jack Daniel's Tennessee blackberry whiskey to any tipple, and it automatically becomes the blackberry version of itself: a blackberry Manhattan, a blackberry old fashioned, and so on. It isn't just an acquired taste, but kind of an ancillary item for plenty of home bartenders.

There was one flavored pick on our list, however. Jack Daniel's Tennessee Fire came in at No. 3 on our ranking. If the mere mention of sparks sends (unwelcome) visions of Fireball dancing through your head, worry not; this has much more nuanced cinnamon notes. Lightly spiced cinnamon is also just a more fitting pair for whiskey than blackberry under most circumstances, and one that we can more readily imagine in all of the tried-and-true whiskey cocktails that don't need any further fruity twists.