A Brief Overview
Every now and then, a distillery does something truly special, not to chase a trend or flood the market, but to share something exceptional from their cellars. For Jack Daniel’s, that moment arrived in 2011, and it lasted for four golden years. The Jack Daniel’s Holiday Select series stands apart in a crowded landscape of limited releases, understated in its presentation, but delightful in the glass.
Released each year in the lead-up to the holiday Christmas festivities from 2011 through to 2014, each bottle in the range was drawn from a careful selection of barrels, chosen by the distillery’s master distiller for their exceptional character. These weren’t mass-market offerings dressed up in fancy packaging. They were more of a ‘love letter’ to the beauty of Tennessee whiskey making.
Here at The Old Barrelhouse, we believe that understanding what makes a whiskey special is just as important as having a bottle on your shelf. So, let’s walk through each of the four Holiday Select releases, the year, the whiskey and why the series captivated drinkers and collectors across the world.
A Year-by-Year Journey Through the Holiday Select Series
2011 Jack Daniel’s Holiday Select 750ml 100 Proof (50.0%)
Rich & Warming
“The best of the bunch”, according to Ross and David, co-founders of The Old Barrelhouse.
This rare first release of the series was launched at the distillery on December 3, 2011 and was only available in very limited quantities to select states around America.
Only 187 barrels of 100 proof whiskey were used for this limited run with many of the empty barrels eventually used to build the first annual Christmas Barrel Tree at the Distillery, (more on that later).
A portion of the proceeds from this bottle was used to help US servicemen and women return home for the holiday season.
What made it immediately striking was its colour: a deep, burnished mahogany hinting at extended maturation in new charred American oak. This was a whiskey that had taken its time.
For collectors, the 2011 is the holy grail of the series. As the inaugural release, it carries historical significance, and sealed, original examples are increasingly hard to come by. If you encounter one, it’s a bottle worth securing.
View our available 2011 Jack Daniel’s Holiday Select bottles
Our Tasting Thoughts.
Sweet corn and caramel lead the way, followed by gentle wafts of toasted oak and hints of peanut brittle. Layers of cinnamon spice, brown sugar, and dark cherry unfold over a charcoal-filtered crispness, delivering a rounded, full-bodied mouthfeel. The finish is long, warm, and sweet, with lingering oak tannins and a soft, peppery fade.
2012 Jack Daniel’s Holiday Select 750ml 90.4 Proof (45.2%)
Bold & Approachable
The 2012 expression arrived with considerable anticipation, having followed a debut release that had drawn widespread acclaim.
Master Distiller Jeff Arnett selected barrels that had developed unusual depth during their years ageing in the rickhouses middle/upper racks. It’s where temperature swings are most dramatic and the interaction with oak is most intense.
Like its predecessor, the 2012 was presented in a striking, heavy-duty black presentation box and created from the very barrels selected for the construction of the Christmas Barrel Tree celebrations.
One subtle but important distinction from the inaugural release was its lower strength. This second edition was bottled at 90.4 proof, offering a slightly more restrained expression while retaining all the character and depth of the original selection.
The 2012 release is frequently cited by American whiskey enthusiasts as the most immediately drinkable of the four expressions. It’s approachable enough for a relaxed evening pour, yet complex enough to reward contemplation. It’s an excellent entry point into the Holiday Select world if you’re exploring the series for the first time.
Our Tasting Thoughts.
Rich butterscotch leads the nose, layered with roasted pecan, and a touch of charred maple. The palate is full-bodied, unfolding with baking spices, toffee apple, and leather. The finish lingers with oak and vanilla that gently builds and lasts.
2013 Jack Daniel’s Holiday Select 750ml 98 Proof (49.0%)
Elegant & Refined
If the 2011 was the pioneer and the 2012 was the crowd-pleaser, then the 2013 Holiday Select was the connoisseur’s choice. Jeff Arnett took a different approach that year, selecting barrels that offered finesse over force.
Here we have a Tennessee whiskey of genuine grace. The kind of dram that reveals itself slowly, offering gentle complexity with every sip. It drew particular praise from critics who noted its unusual elegance for a Jack Daniel’s release.
A masterclass in balance. It’s a fine example of how a corn-led mashbill and charcoal mellowing can yield a whiskey of real depth when the right barrels are chosen.
Our Tasting Thoughts.
The nose opens with honeysuckle, golden raisins and crème brûlée sweetness. The palate is silky and refined, with cloves, toasted almonds, milk chocolate, and a subtle earthy note coming on late. The finish is medium and delicately sweet, fading into clean, dry oak with a hint of pepper spice. Pair it with dark chocolate or aged cheese – It’s just so damn good!
2014 Jack Daniel’s Holiday Select 750ml 96 Proof (48.0%)
Complete & Complex
Nobody knew it at the time, but the 2014 Holiday Select would be the last. And whether by design or happy coincidence, it proved to be a triumphant finale. It struck a balance between the boldness of the 2012 and the refinement of the 2013. It was like Jeff Arnett had chosen to close the chapter with a whiskey that honoured everything the series had stood for.
Like previous releases, the bottle arrived in a sturdy black presentation box, now featuring a front window that proudly showcases the bottle. As always, each bottle was filled with whiskey drawn from the barrels used to create the annual Christmas Barrel Tree.
The 2014 Holiday Select is, for many collectors, sought after both because of its exceptional quality and because of the significance of being the final chapter.
Our Tasting Thoughts.
Think stewed plums, dark toffee and rich vanilla. The palate is velvety and full, with roasted coffee and molasses notes. The finish is exceptionally long, with oak and dark chocolate, leaving a lingering, satisfying sweetness that endures.
Holiday Select Comparison Table
What Was the Jack Daniel’s Holiday Select Christmas Barrel Tree?
Each year between 2011 and 2014, the barrels used to construct the distillery’s famous Lynchburg barrel Christmas tree were emptied and bottled to create the seasonal Holiday Select releases.
Rather than erecting a traditional Christmas tree in front of the distillery in Lynchburg, Jack Daniel’s built a “barrel tree”. A 26-foot-tall stack of over 100 casks decorated with tinsel, lights, and a big shiny star on top. In order to get all those barrels, they had to empty out the whiskey first, which they then bottled as the special Holiday Select series.
Collectability and Legacy
The Jack Daniel’s Holiday Select series occupies a unique position in the world of American whiskey collecting. Unlike many limited releases that are simply standard expressions in fancier bottles, each Holiday Select was genuinely different year to year, with a unique ABV, a different barrel selection and individual character.
From an investment perspective, interest in these bottles has grown steadily since the series concluded. Auction records show consistent appreciation in value, particularly for the 2011 inaugural release and the 2014 farewell bottling.
Whether you’re a dedicated Jack Daniel’s collector, a Tennessee whiskey enthusiast, or someone who appreciates the joy of a beautifully made limited-edition spirit, the Holiday Select series deserves a place in your knowledge and, if you’re lucky enough to find one, on your shelf.
David MK – Co-founder
The Old Barrelhouse
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