Jack Daniels Gentleman Jack Whiskey / 1L

Jack Daniel's Gentleman Jack Tennessee Whiskey is the smoother, rounder sibling in the Jack Daniel's range, made in Lynchburg, Tennessee and sold here in a 1L bottle. What sets it apart is a second run through sugar maple charcoal — once before maturation and again before bottling — which strips away the rougher edges and leaves a soft, sweet-leaning American whiskey.

The nose leans on vanilla and light caramel, with fresh oak sitting behind and a faint banana-and-toffee sweetness that is very much a Jack Daniel's signature. Take a sip and it arrives gently: brown sugar, custard, a touch of toasted corn, then a wisp of charred barrel smoke that keeps it from tipping into confectionery.

Texture is where Gentleman Jack earns its keep. The whiskey is noticeably silky, with low heat and a buttery mid-palate, and the oak shows as dry spice rather than tannin. The finish is clean and medium-length, warm and faintly sweet, fading without the pepper bite some Tennessee whiskeys carry.

Serve it neat or over a large cube, where the softness is the whole point, though it holds its shape well in a Manhattan or with dry ginger ale and a wedge of lime. At the table it suits smoked brisket, glazed pork ribs, aged cheddar or a pecan tart. Being a bottled spirit, it will not change in the bottle, so open it when you like and finish it within a year or so of pouring the first dram.