Sips & Sites & Bites

Jack Daniel’s has always had deep ties to the military community, and this year they’re raising a glass once again with the release of the 2025 Heroes Selection Single Barrel Barrel Proof Tennessee Whiskey. This isn’t just another bottle on the shelf, it’s a whiskey with a story, hand-selected by veterans, for veterans.

The honor this year went to twin brothers JB and LB McGowan, both U.S. Army veterans and longtime employees at the Jack Daniel Distillery. With decades of experience in Lynchburg, they know barrels inside and out … and their selection is something special.

At 125 to 140 proof, this barrel proof expression pulls no punches. Aged in the highest, warmest reaches of Jack’s barrelhouses, it delivers the kind of bold character you’d expect. On the nose, it greets you with sweet brown sugar. Take a sip, and you’ll find layers of warm baking spices, toasted oak, and just a wisp of smoke. The finish lingers with notes of vanilla, tobacco, and spice … complex, strong, and memorable, much like the people it honors.

The bottle itself comes in a collectible gift box, complete with a medallion that nods to Jack Daniel’s long-standing relationship with the military community. At $69.99 for a 750ml, it’s available exclusively at U.S. military retail outlets and in limited supply at the distillery’s White Rabbit Bottle Shop.

Jack Daniel’s Master Distiller Chris Fletcher put it best. “Every barrel tells a story, and the Heroes Selection is our way of honoring the courage, dedication, and service of the military community.”

This release is part of Jack Daniel’s bigger commitment to giving back. Since 2011, their Operation Ride Home program has helped more than 14,000 junior-enlisted service members and their families travel home for the holidays, raising more than $4 million in the process.

The 2025 Heroes Selection isn’t just a whiskey … it’s a tribute. And if you’re lucky enough to get your hands on a bottle, you’ll be holding a little piece of Jack Daniel’s history and a toast to those who serve.