In this review, we are going to compare the International release of Jack Daniel’s Bottled-In-Bond against the American release of Jack Daniel’s Bonded.
My friend was on an international cruise and found this bottle of Jack Daniel’s Bottled-In-Bond for me. He wasn’t sure if it was any different from the Jack Daniel’s Bonded we have here in the US, but today we are going to find out.
Is Jack Daniel’s Bottled-In-Bond the same as Jack Daniel’s Bonded?
The simple answer is no, they are not the same whiskey. Jack Daniel’s Bottled-In-Bond is a different whiskey than Jack Daniel’s Bonded.
Right away from the nose of each glass, I can tell that they are not the same at all.
The International release of Jack Daniel’s Bottled-In-Bond is a much smoother whiskey to smell and has a very nice honey-caramel note to it that I do not find in the American release of Jack Daniel’s Bonded.
So that answers the simple question of whether they are the same just re-labeled for different regions.
They are different whiskeys with different flavor profiles depending on which region you are in.
So let’s break down the difference between these bottles.
What Does Bottled-in-Bond Mean?
Since both of these bottles are labeled “Bottled-in-Bond” they have a few requirements to me meet to qualify as a bonded whiskey.
Back in 1897, the government issued the Bottled in Bond Act of 1897 to regulate the inconsistent quality of whiskey of the time. To create a standard level of quality, the government provided tax incentives to distilleries that met their requirements.
Bottled in Bond Act of 1897 required the following:
- Made by a single Distiller
- One Distillation Season (January-June or July-December)
- Aged in barrels for a minimum of 4 years
- Must be aged in a government-bonded warehouse
- Must be bottled at exactly 100 proof (50% ABV)
By regulating the quality of the whiskey the government was able to incentivize distilleries to create quality products rather than using flavor and coloring agents like iodine, tobacco, and other substances.
While the importance of having “bonded” or “bottled-in-bond” attached to your whiskey isn’t nearly as important as it was in the late 1800s, it’s still a good way to know the level of whiskey you will be getting when you purchase a bottle of any whiskey with the label “bottled-in-bond” or “bonded whiskey”.
Differences Between Jack Daniel’s Bottled-In-Bond and Jack Daniel’s Bonded
Jack Daniel’s Bottled-In-Bond (International)
After tasting both bottles, the Jack Daniel’s Bottled-In-Bond is a much more refined whiskey to me.
It is packed with smooth honey-caramel flavor, a nice balance of oak, and sweet vanilla as well as your typical Jack Daniel’s fruit notes of banana and caramel apple.
The flavor profile is very easy to drink and focuses more on sweetness and smooth flavors.
Jack Daniel’s Bonded (American)
Jack Daniel’s Bonded has a lot more oak and spice notes instead of the smooth and refined fruit and sweetness.
Jack Daniel’s Bonded actually reminds me a little more of the Jack Daniel’s 10 year and Jack Daniel’s 12 Year which can be a good thing if you like oak and spicy notes.
Why Are The Two Bottles of Jack Daniel’s So Different?
While both bottles are 100-proof and follow the same restrictions of being bottled-in-bond, why are they so different?
Over my years of tasting whiskeys, I have found that Scotches and Irish whiskey have always been a bit smoother and more refined than many of the American bourbons.
American Bourbons tend to focus more on the big and bold flavors that really wake up your taste buds but also come with a bit more heat and spice attached.
I think this is exactly what I am finding when comparing these two bottles.
The International release of Jack Daniel’s Bottled-In-Bond is smooth, sweet, and refined whereas the American Release of Jack Daniel’s Bonded is bold, spicy, and full of oak.
So Which Jack Daniel’s Bottle Is Better?
I have a clear winner and it is the International Jack Daniel’s Bottled-in-Bond.
I have written an in-depth Jack Daniel’s Bottled-In-Bond Review where I go over all of the flavors and why I love this whiskey if you are interested in reading more.
I have also written a full Jack Daniel’s Bonded Review as well as my review of the best Jack Daniel’s Whiskey Bottles – The Complete Lineup.
Conclusion
I honestly thought both of these bottles were going to be identical.
After tasting each bottle, it makes sense to me that Jack Daniel’s would release bottles based on its audience in the area.
To be honest, it kind of makes me disappointed that Jack Daniel’s sees the American Market as a market that demands heavy oak and bold flavors and steers us away from the refined sweet and fruit flavors they market toward the international market.
But this does make sense though with the recent releases of Jack Daniel’s 10 Year, Jack Daniel’s 12 Year, Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Barrel Proof Bourbon, and Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Barrel Proof Rye.
In the end, this Jack Daniel’s Bottled-in-Bond International release is one my all-time-favorite Jack Daniel’s products and I hope there is some way for me to find more of this without having to travel to get it.
When I was looking on the internet, it was pretty difficult to find any information comparing the two so I decided to just write my own.
I hope this article helps clear up some of the questions around these bottles.
As always, I hope you enjoyed this article and if you have any thoughts on these bottles, please let us know.
Let Us Know What You Think
I hope you enjoyed this tasting experience with me.
If you decide to give this bottle a shot, please let me know on social media via Reddit, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.
Thanks for reading and cheers!
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