George Dickel 17 Years Old Reserve Tennessee Whisky

George Dickel 17 Years Old Reserve is a rare, deeply matured Tennessee whisky that delivers refined richness, cedar-driven oak complexity, and subtle fruit sweetness—all crafted for contemplative sipping or a special collector’s moment.

Origins & Craftsmanship

Produced at the Cascade Hollow Distillery in Tullahoma, Tennessee, this expression uses the brand’s signature mash bill of 84% corn, 8% rye and 8% malted barley. It is aged for a full 17 years in single-story rickhouses—allowing long maturation in a controlled Tennessee environment. The result is a reserve offering that highlights barrel character, wood-age integration and the distillery’s commitment to extended aging rather than rapid turnover.

Critics Reviews

• Whisky Advocate praised the release for its “baked apricot, vanilla cream, and warming spice,” noting a palate that moves from honey and toasted oak into “peppery tea-leaf tannin.” The publication highlighted its polished maturity and well-knit texture.

• Drinkhacker described it as “fruit-rich and beautifully mellow,” pointing to flavors of plum, rum-soaked raisin, toffee, and leather, calling the finish “long, cedar-led, and satisfyingly dry.”

• Distiller offered a more balanced perspective, noting that while the nose is expressive with caramel and stone fruit, the palate “leans soft for its age,” suggesting the whisky “delivers refinement over intensity.”
  Collectively, critics agree that this 17-year-old bottling stands out for grace, depth, and considered wood influence, even if some tasters wished for a bolder palate.

Tasting Profile

Nose: Rich and inviting with crème brûlée caramel, apricot and hint of plum; inner layers of toasted oak, cedar and light juniper.
Palate: Smooth and layered—sweet toffee and dates lead, followed by caramelised corn, light peppery spice, leather undertones and toasted oak.
Finish: Long, elegant and slightly dry—cedar wood tannin, charred oak, a touch of cinnamon spice and a whisper of fruit sweetness linger.

Quick Overview

"A deep and profound Bourbon, reflected in a tantalizing nose rife toffee, dark chocolate, orange blossom, cherry cobbler, and thyme. Rich, structured, and complex, confected spice and vanilla play off of exotic notes of green olive and sage brown butter. An absolutely incredible, thought-provoking pour." 95 Points 2023 Ultimate Spirits Challenge

"First released in 2016 as a 375mL limited time offering, George Dickel 17 Year Old Reserve quickly became a fan-favorite for those who were fortunate enough to get their hands on a bottle. Now debuting in a larger format as a 750mL bottle, the new George Dickel Reserve is a cask strength offering aged 17 years which boasts the signature big and bold flavors of Cascade Hollow, making this the perfect gift for any deluxe whisky collector in your life.

Inspired by the inaugural release and its dedicated fans, General Manager and Distiller Nicole Austin intentionally searched for barrels that captured the notable components of the original liquid. Consistent with the George Dickel signature mash bill of 84% corn, 8% rye, 8% malted barley, this 17 Year Old offering brings a unique tasting experience due to additional years spent in Cascade Hollow's single-story rickhouses.

"Knowing the impact of the first release of George Dickel 17 Year Old Reserve, the barrels selected for this latest edition were purposefully selected to pay homage to the original offering," said Nicole Austin, General Manager and Distiller at Cascade Hollow Distilling Co. "At the same time, in American Spirits of this age, you're going to see variability. This year's release offers fans another chance to taste the whisky they love, now even more complex."

This perfectly aged release boasts complex aromas of crème brûlée and apricots with hints of plum and juniper on the palate and a rich cedar finish."