An Evening and Tasting Event with Jeff Arnett of Company Distilling

The Bourbonado Community and I had the distinct honor of engaging in an in-depth tasting and a discussion with Jeff Arnett, the esteemed Master Distiller and Co-Owner of Company Distilling. Jeff Arnett, the former Master Distiller at Jack Daniel's, is now at Company Distilling, lending his unparalleled expertise to the Distillery.

Jeff Arnett commenced his whiskey career as a quality control engineer at Jack Daniel's Distillery in Lynchburg, Tennessee. This position afforded him extensive exposure to the distillery's operations and a comprehensive understanding of each stage of distillation and maturation. Following Jimmy Bedford's retirement in 2008, Jeff Arnett was appointed the seventh Master Distiller of the distillery.

Under his leadership, the portfolio expanded significantly from its original three expressions to include innovative offerings such as Tennessee Honey, Tennessee Fire, Tennessee Tasters, Jack Daniel's Sinatra Select, Jack Daniel's Rye, and Jack Daniel's No. 27 Gold. While not every variant aligned with his personal preferences, particularly certain flavored expressions, Jeff Arnett approached each project with unwavering dedication and technical precision. In 2020, driven by a long-held vision to establish his own enterprise, he departed Jack Daniel's to pursue independent ventures, noting at the time that, in his fifties, he felt compelled to leverage his expertise autonomously.

Through strategic collaborations with fellow members of the Tennessee Distillers Guild, Mr. Arnett and his partners founded Company Distilling. The name reflects a commitment to hospitality, inspired by the notion of sharing exceptional whiskey with esteemed guests, a principle central to the Company's ethos.

During a guided tasting with Master Distiller Jeff Arnett, I evaluated two flagship Company Distilling expressions: Straight Tennessee Whiskey Finished with Apple Wood and Straight Rye Whiskey Finished with Cherry Wood. My notes were based on samples provided during the session, supplemented by an independent follow-up tasting to confirm and refine my impressions. Following Bourbon Awareness evaluation protocols, each whiskey was assessed in a Glencairn nosing glass after resting for at least 10 minutes. The evaluation was completed over two sessions to allow for a thorough review of each whiskey’s flavor profile and subtle nuances.

Tasting Analysis of Company Distilling's Straight Tennessee Whiskey Finished with Apple Wood.

Appearance: Golden Amber with light to medium legs.

PROOF – 86.5 proof        AGE –No Age Statement              Average Price - $39.99 to $49.99

Nose: The aroma profile is elegantly warm and inviting, distinguished by prominent notes of cinnamon and nutmeg, subtly accented by raisins. The aromas are harmoniously layered with vanilla and soft oak, enhanced by a refined fruity nuance, ensuring vibrancy and sophistication.

Palate: The whiskey presents a smooth, lightly sweet character, with vanilla leading the way, followed by nuanced notes of cinnamon and clove. The mid-palate evolves toward plum- and raisin-like fruit notes, with a touch of stone fruit and gentle wood spice, while the apple wood finish contributes a refined, toasted-fruit nuance. It reminds me of Mom’s holiday fruit cake spice blend.

Finish: The finish presents a soft, warming character, defined by well-integrated oak, subtle spice, and delicate notes of sweet fruit. It resolves with clarity and approachability, leaving a persistent warm impression. As the experience concludes, the oak transitions into refined leather tannins, yielding a polished, medium-length finish.

Tasting Summary & Thoughts: The Straight Tennessee Whiskey Finished with Apple Wood exhibits a sophisticated aromatic profile, a harmonious and well-integrated palate, and a refined, lingering oak finish. This expression delivers exceptional balance and depth of character. Meticulously crafted through the traditional Lincoln County Process, it is mellowed over sugar maple charcoal, matured in charred white oak barrels, and finished with toasted apple wood. This whiskey exemplifies Tennessee’s distinguished distilling heritage while highlighting the distinctive diversity of its native hardwoods.

Tasting Analysis of Company Distilling's Straight Rye Whiskey Finished with Cherry Wood.

Appearance: Golden Amber with medium legs.

PROOF – 100 proof        AGE – No Age Statement              Average Price - $39.99 to $49.99

Nose: The aroma profile exhibits a subtle rye character, interwoven with nuanced notes of anise, black licorice sweetness, dark cherries, and a well-integrated blend of black pepper and cinnamon. This complex aroma is elegantly balanced, offering notable depth and layered undertones of oak and cherry wood.

Palate: The initial sip reveals an elegant interplay of rye spice, licorice, cinnamon, and black pepper, establishing a warm and velvety foundation. This is complemented by notes of sweet cherry and oak, interwoven with subtle caramel undertones, and accented by black pepper, cinnamon, and a delicate hint of oak tannins. The light yet syrupy texture delivers a harmonious mouthfeel that is neither overly thin nor excessively robust. This rye whiskey exemplifies impeccable balance and refined complexity.

Finish: The finish transitions seamlessly into a sophisticated herbal bouquet, characterized by black pepper, warm rye spice, cinnamon, and a hint of clove on the back of the tongue. This medium-duration finish lingers on the palate, accented by subtle dry oak notes, persistent hints of menthol, and rye spice. The tasting experience unfolds with measured intensity across the tongue, yielding a refined, expertly balanced profile.

Tasting Summary & Thoughts: Company Distilling Straight Rye Whiskey, finished in cherry wood, exhibits a refined aroma profile with notes of toasted cherries and charred oak. The palate delivers a balanced structure, with initial velvety warmth yielding to prominent rye spice, supported by layers of aromatic baking spices, dried fruits, and toasted woods. The innovative cherry-wood maturation enhances overall refinement and complexity, imparting persistent toasted-cherry nuances alongside classic oak characteristics. This expression presents a robust yet balanced profile, appropriate for both enthusiasts and discerning connoisseurs.

Summary & Final Thoughts: The evening was a distinguished occasion for the Bourbonado community, offering an exclusive whiskey tasting guided by Jeff Arnitt, the internationally acclaimed and award-winning master distiller. Company Distilling exemplifies meticulous craftsmanship, reflected in the refined character of each exceptional spirit sampled. Discerning connoisseurs will appreciate the distinctive flavor profiles and superior quality that define these offerings. Whether enjoyed neat, over ice, or artfully integrated into cocktails, the Straight Tennessee Whiskey Finished with Apple Wood and the Straight Rye Whiskey Finished with Cherry Wood deliver an outstanding sensory experience, providing yet another compelling reason for friends and family to gather. As Jeff Arnitt articulated, the vision was to create accessible whiskeys for broad enjoyment while offering exceptional selections worthy of esteemed guests.

At Bourbon Awareness, you can learn more about America's native spirit. Bourbon Awareness and Whiskey University's sole mission is to educate the public about the history and virtues of Bourbon, Tennessee Whiskey, and other various whiskeys.

See our website at bourbonaware.com and whiskeyuniv.com/nj-central-new-jersey-area. You can contact us at harrycasazza@bourbonaware.com