Jack Daniel's Chris Fletcher - Distiller of the Year

Jack Daniel's Chris Fletcher - Distiller of the Year

 Jack Daniel’s Chris Fletcher Named Master Distiller of the Year by

Whisky Magazine


The distillery’s 14-Year-Old Tennessee Whiskey Batch 1 also awarded World’s Best Tennessee

Whiskey at the annual Icons of Whisky and World Whiskies Awards America


Lynchburg, Tenn. (February 24, 2026) – Jack Daniel’s Master Distiller Chris Fletcher was named Master Distiller/Master Blender of the Year at Whisky Magazine’s 2026 Icons of Whisky and World Whiskies Awards America, held February 12 in Louisville, Ky. Jack Daniel’s 14-Year-Old Tennessee Whiskey Batch 1, which Fletcher crafted in his role overseeing production and innovation at the Jack Daniel Distillery, was also awarded World’s Best Tennessee Whiskey at the ceremony.

The annual awards celebrate the people and places responsible for exceptional whiskey-makingin the U.S., alongside the best in American whiskeys. Winners of World Whiskies Awards Americas will go on to compete next month against global competitors at the World Whiskies Awards.

In his role as Vice President, Master Distiller and Director of Distillery Operations at the Jack Daniel Distillery, Chris Fletcher is responsible for strengthening the brand through product innovation while honoring the time-tested processes that have guided the Jack Daniel Distillery for nearly 160 years. Fletcher, a native of Lynchburg, Tenn. who grew up learning about production from his grandfather and late Master Distiller Frank Bobo, is one of only a handful of individuals to have held the title of “Master Distiller” in the distillery’s history. In his five years as Master Distiller, Fletcher has been the driving force behind award-winning, premium releases including the Bonded Series, the Aged Series, widely-celebrated expressions from the Special Release Series, and the Distillery Series line of experimental whiskeys.

Jack Daniel's 14 Year Old Tennessee Whiskey

Jack Daniel’s 14-Year-Old Batch 1 was released in February 2025 as part of the fourth annual release of the Aged Series, marking the first time since the early- to mid-1900s that Jack Daniel’s had offered an expression at this age. The expression, offered at 126.3 proof (63.15% abv), begins with Jack Daniel’s classic Tennessee Whiskey mash bill that is then mellowed drop by drop through 10 feet of sugar maple charcoal. The additional years of aging bring forward notes of sweet bakery spices with layers of oak and a palate of creamy butterscotch, rich leather and tobacco.


Location: 280 Lynchburg Hwy, Lynchburg, TN 37352, USA

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