Jack Daniel’s 14 Year Crowned 2025 Whiskey of the Year by Top Podcast

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – December 29, 2025 – In a move that underscores a major shift in the American whiskey landscape, Jack Daniel's 14 Year Tennessee Whiskey has been named the 2025 Whiskey of the Year by the influential Bourbon Podcast. The decision, reached after a rigorous process involving over 125 whiskeys and a conclusive blind tasting of the finalists, marks a significant moment for both the iconic Lynchburg distillery and the evolving world of whiskey criticism.

For a brand globally recognized for its ubiquitous Old No. 7, this accolade validates its ambitious foray into the ultra-premium, age-stated market. The win signals that Jack Daniel's can compete—and win—at the highest level, a feat achieved not through legacy alone, but through exceptional quality confirmed under the most objective conditions.

A Milestone Whiskey's Unanimous Victory

The winning spirit, Jack Daniel's 14 Year, is a historic release, representing the distillery's first 14-year age-stated expression in over a century. Described as a testament to craft and patience, the whiskey is bottled at a high proof and delivers a complex profile of rich oak, dark caramel, toasted spice, and seasoned vanilla, culminating in what the podcast hosts called a “long, confident finish.”

The selection was far from a default choice. The final tasting round pitted Jack Daniel's 14 Year against a formidable lineup of industry titans, including the perennially sought-after George T. Stagg, the revered King of Kentucky 17-Year-Old, and the innovative Bardstown Bourbon Company Cathedral French Oak finish. According to the podcast’s hosts, the decision was unequivocal.

“From the moment we sampled it, we knew Jack Daniel's 14 would be a contender for Whiskey of the Year,” said Ben Salango, co-host of Bourbon Podcast. “The viscosity and the amazing depth of flavor made it an instant hit on our podcast and with whiskey enthusiasts around the globe.”

His colleague, Kyle Mork, emphasized the whiskey's consistent performance. “Every time we tasted it against a top competitor this year, we knew it was going to be very hard to beat,” Mork stated. “Our blind tasting only confirmed this is an elite whiskey.”

Co-host Joe Nassif, who had identified the whiskey as a frontrunner back in April, detailed its comprehensive appeal. “Unanimously selected during our recent Whiskey of the Year Podcast against industry heavy hitters... Jack Daniel's 14 Year checks all the boxes from the luring aroma, full-bodied and complex palate, and long delightful finish,” Nassif explained.

The New Gatekeepers of Taste

This announcement is as much a story about the winner as it is about the judges. Bourbon Podcast has solidified its position not just as an entertainment platform, but as a powerful arbiter of taste in the whiskey world. Consistently ranked in the Top 10 of Apple Podcasts' Hobbies category and even hitting the #1 spot, the show commands a loyal audience of thousands of weekly listeners and a social media following exceeding 150,000.

This influence represents a broader trend of democratization in criticism, where independent voices on platforms like podcasts are rivaling, and in some cases surpassing, the impact of traditional print publications. By employing a blind tasting methodology, these new-media critics remove the potential for brand bias, forcing the liquid in the glass to stand on its own merit. This commitment to objectivity resonates deeply with a modern consumer base that values authenticity and peer-driven recommendations.

The podcast’s credibility is further bolstered by the expertise of its hosts. Joe Nassif, for instance, is the founder of the Appalachian Whiskey Society and has personally selected over 75 private barrels, bringing a wealth of hands-on experience to the microphone. This combination of deep knowledge and accessible communication has cultivated a level of trust that can significantly sway consumer behavior and shape market trends.

Navigating a Competitive Premium Market

The timing of this award places Jack Daniel's 14 Year at the center of a dynamic and fiercely competitive premium whiskey market. While some analysts note a potential cooling of the broader “bourbon boom,” the demand for rare, high-quality, and age-stated releases remains incredibly strong. An endorsement of this magnitude from a trusted source can catapult a whiskey from a respected release to a must-have collector's item, dramatically increasing its desirability and secondary market value.

The Top 10 list released by Bourbon Podcast reads like a who's who of modern premium whiskey, further contextualizing the magnitude of the win. Placing ahead of lauded bottles like Michter's Rye Barrel Proof, Bomberger's Declaration, and Booker's The Reserves demonstrates that the Jack Daniel's release excelled in a field of exceptional quality.

This victory serves as a powerful case study for legacy brands navigating the modern market. By investing in patience, embracing transparency with a clear age statement, and delivering an unequivocally high-quality product, Jack Daniel's has successfully transcended its mainstream identity to capture the attention of the most discerning connoisseurs. The win for its 14-year expression is not just an award for a single bottle, but a potent symbol of the distillery's evolving craftsmanship and its place in the top tier of American whiskey production.