Jack Daniel's 1981 Gold Medal is the seventh and final bottle in the celebrated Gold Medal Series, a collection of commemorative decanters released by the Jack Daniel Distillery between 1996 and 2006, each honoring one of the prestigious gold medals the whiskey has won at international competitions over its long history. This closing edition, released in 2006, celebrates perhaps the most prestigious award of them all: the Grand Gold Medal with Palm Leaves, awarded to Jack Daniel's in 1981 by the Institut Pour Les Selections de la Qualité in Amsterdam. It is famously the medal after which the distillery stopped entering international competitions, having reached the very top. Presented in a distinctive decanter style bottle bearing an embossed gold medallion, it is a handsome and collectible piece of Jack Daniel's history. In the United States the Gold Medal Series bottles were filled at 90 proof in 750ml, and this expression carries the classic charcoal mellowed Old No. 7 character, refined and mellow, with toasted oak, vanilla, caramel, light smoke, and butterscotch. As a discontinued commemorative from a sought after series, the 1981 Gold Medal is prized by collectors and display minded enthusiasts, and it typically commands a significant premium on the secondary market, particularly with its original box and hang tag intact. Whether you are completing a Gold Medal Series collection, seeking a distinguished gift, or simply want a characterful piece of whiskey history for the back bar, this is a memorable and increasingly hard to find bottle. Enjoy it neat, on the rocks, or keep it sealed as a collectible.
ABV / Proof
| Distillery |
Jack Daniel Distillery, Lynchburg, Tennessee |
| Producer |
Brown-Forman |
| Category |
Tennessee Whiskey |
| Expression |
1981 Gold Medal, Gold Medal Series (Bottle No. 7, final), Commemorative |
| Process |
Charcoal Mellowed (Lincoln County Process) |
| ABV |
45% |
| Proof |
90 |
| Bottle Size |
750ml |
| Country |
United States |
Tasting Notes
Color: Rich amber.
Nose: Toasted oak, vanilla bean, and caramel with hints of honey and warm spice.
Palate: Smooth and mellow, with caramel, butterscotch, light smoke, and the classic Old No. 7 character.
Finish: Long and warm, with subtle charcoal richness and toasted oak.
FAQ
What is the Gold Medal Series? It is a collection of seven commemorative bottles released by the Jack Daniel Distillery between 1996 and 2006, each celebrating a different international gold medal the whiskey has won. This 1981 edition is the seventh and final bottle.
What does the 1981 medal commemorate? It honors the Grand Gold Medal with Palm Leaves awarded to Jack Daniel's in 1981 by the Institut Pour Les Selections de la Qualité in Amsterdam, after which the distillery stopped entering international competitions.
What proof is it? The US 750ml Gold Medal Series bottles were filled at 90 proof, or 45 percent ABV. International markets received a 1 liter version at 43 percent.
Is it a bourbon? It meets many bourbon criteria, but Jack Daniel's markets it as Tennessee Whiskey, distinguished by the charcoal mellowing step known as the Lincoln County Process.
Is it collectible? Yes. As a discontinued commemorative from a sought after series, it is valued by collectors, especially with its original box and hang tag intact.
Where can I buy Jack Daniel's 1981 Gold Medal online? Available here at Liquor On Broadway while stock lasts, with fast insured shipping nationwide.
