Jack Daniel’s Ex Master Distiller Released a New Gin
Jeff Arnett left his job as master distiller at Jack Daniel’s in 2020 after 20 years at the distillery, 12 of which involved overseeing production of one of the most popular whiskeys in the world. But instead of quietly retiring, he cofounded Company Distilling about a year later, a new Tennessee distillery located in the eastern part of the state. The distillery’s latest release, however, is not a whiskey; it’s a gin that was aged in used whiskey barrels.
The new gin is called Ghost Rail Heirloom Gin, and according to the brand it’s supposed to offer bourbon lovers a “smooth transition into gin.” “With Ghost Rail Heirloom Gin, we’re inviting bourbon lovers to expand their palates into a new category,” said Arnett in a statement. “This gin combines familiar barrel notes of vanilla and oak spice with the vibrant pine and citrus flavors of a classic gin, creating something entirely new. It’s designed for the adventurous ones ready to explore fresh territory without losing the warmth and richness they love.”
The gin, which is named after abandoned train tracks, is the second release in that category from Company Distilling following the core Ghost Rail Tennessee Dry Gin. That is made using a blend of six botanicals and distilled using an open-fired Alembic still. Details are a little scarce about this new expression, but presumably it’s the same gin that was aged in whiskey barrels (no details about the length of time or type of barrels, but presumably they are not from Jack Daniel’s). Official tasting notes describe citrus, warm pine, and oak on the nose, followed by vanilla, pine, and oak spice on the palate, or “Christmas in a glass,” as the marketing team puts it.
The rest of the Company Distilling lineup consists of whiskeys, as you might expect. The core lineup includes a straight bourbon, straight rye, and straight Tennessee whiskey (all of which are sourced products). And more recently there were some special allocated releases, a seven-year-old Tennessee Four Grain Straight Bourbon Whiskey and Tennessee Four Grain Straight Bourbon Whiskey—High Angel’s Share. For now, the new Ghost Rail Heirloom Gin will be available exclusively at the Company Distilling locations in Townsend, Tennessee, and Thompson’s Station, Tennessee starting this Saturday. You can find other expressions, like the Maple Wood Finished Bourbon, available to purchase now from websites like Total Wine.
