LYNCHBURG ­— Jack Daniel’s Bonded Tennessee Whiskey has taken the #1 spot as “Whisky of the Year” in Whisky Advocate’s list of the year’s most exciting whiskeys.

The Bottled-in-Bond whiskey, which received a score of 97 from reviewers, was introduced in May as part of the Jack Daniel Distillery’s new Bonded Series.

For those who may be unfamiliar, ‘whisky’ often refers to Scottish, Canadian, and even Japanese grain spirits, while ‘whiskey’ refers to grain spirits distilled in Ireland and the United States.

To determine the annual Top 20, Whisky Advocate reviewers sampled hundreds of “outstanding” whiskeys (rated 90 points or higher on the publication’s 100-point scale) and looked at quality, value and availability.

In its review of Jack Daniel’s Bonded, the publication noted that “even with its heft and pleasant mature notes, this is still a fresh, vibrant whiskey” with “lots of character, offering a host of flavors that marry well.”

“All of us in Lynchburg are blessed to work at a complete distillery that gives us the opportunity to experiment, innovate and make what we believe is the most exceptional Tennessee Whiskey in the world,” said Chris Fletcher, Jack Daniel’s Master Distiller.

“Jack Daniel’s Bonded is a perfect marriage of our history and innovation, and it’s an honor to have this work recognized by our friends in the whiskey industry. We hope we’ve made Mr. Jack proud,” he said.

Bonded is Jack’s time-honored recipe of 80% corn, 12% malted barley, and 8% rye. Barrels were hand selected for their unique and particular characteristics of deeper color, flavor, and aroma, which bring a darker, richer, and more oak-forward character to Jack Daniel’s Bonded. To say the least, it is a bold Tennessee Whiskey at 100 proof with notes of caramel, rich oak, and spice giving way to a lingering finish.

Jack Daniel’s Bonded Tennessee Whiskey is available nationwide in 700mL bottles for the suggested retail price of $29.99 For more information, visit www.jackdaniels.com.