🥃 George Dickel No. 8
Base expression of George Dickel Tennessee whiskey, first bottled in 1964; 40% ABV; mash of 84% corn, 8% rye and 8% malted barley.
George Dickel No. 8 is the base expression of George Dickel Tennessee whiskey, named after the number 8 on its label. According to VinePair, it was launched in 1964 as Black Label Old No. 8. Its strength is 40% ABV. Whisky Advocate called it the most versatile and best-value bottle in the brand's range.
According to ThirtyOne Whiskey, the mash is 84% corn, 8% rye and 8% malted barley. It is a sour mash: first distilled in a column still, then in a pot still. Before ageing, the spirit is chilled and filtered through sugar maple charcoal, and the whiskey matures in charred oak barrels. VinePair estimates the age at 5 to 7 years, while other reviews say there is no age statement.
Why this matters to you. No. 8, No. 12 and Barrel Select share one mash, so choose by age, strength and barrel selection rather than by grain. What sets Tennessee whiskey apart from bourbon is the charcoal mellowing. The WHO reminds us that no level of alcohol consumption is safe for health.
Facts
| Alcohol (% vol.) | 40% ABV |
|---|---|
| Cask type | charred oak barrels |
| Distillation method | sour mash; column still, then pot still; charcoal mellowing (Lincoln County Process) |
| Minimum maturation | VinePair: 5 to 7 years; other reviews: no age statement |
| Raw material | 84% corn, 8% rye, 8% malted barley |
How it connects to Spirits
🥃 George Dickel No. 8 → kind of → 🥃 Whisky → kind of → 🥃 Spirits
Links
- Packed in
- 🍷 Oak barrel, 🐝 American white oak
- Made from
- 🥃 Rye and corn in whisky
- What it contains
- 🧪 Water, 🍷 Ethanol
- What it affects
- 🍷 Alcohol and health, 🍷 Drunk driving
- Part of
- 🥃 George Dickel, 🥃 Whisky
- Similar and different
- 🥃 Bourbon whiskey, 🥃 George Dickel Barrel Select, 🥃 George Dickel Barrel Select, 🥃 George Dickel No. 12, 🥃 George Dickel No. 12
Frequently asked questions
Is it true that No. 8 has a different mash from No. 12?
No. According to VinePair, the mash is the same in No. 8 and No. 12; age, strength and selection differ.
What is the strength of No. 8?
40% ABV, according to Whisky Advocate and ThirtyOne Whiskey.
How old is No. 8?
Sources differ: VinePair says 5 to 7 years, while ThirtyOne Whiskey notes there is no age statement.
What to read next
- 🍷 Alcohol and health — Alcohol in any drink is harmful in large amounts, and the risks grow with the quantity.
- 🍷 Ethanol — The alcohol formed during fermentation that makes you drunk.
- 🧪 Water — ~87% of milk.
- 🐝 American white oak — A North American oak that gives wine strong vanilla and coconut notes.
- 🥃 Bourbon whiskey — American whiskey from a mash of at least 51% corn, stored in new charred oak barrels and bottled at 40% ABV or more.
Similar
🥃 George Dickel Bottled in Bond · 🥃 George Dickel Barrel Select · 🥃 George Dickel No. 12 · 🥃 Bulleit 10 Year Old Bourbon · 🥃 Bulleit Bourbon · 🥃 Bulleit 10 Year Old Rye
⚠️ Spirit drinks contain alcohol and are for adults only. Alcohol harms health. Do not drink during pregnancy or before driving; check the label for ingredients and possible allergens.
Sources
- VinePair: 9 Things You Should Know About George Dickel Tennessee Whisky (No. 8 and No. 12 launched 1964; same mash bill; chilling to 40 F and sugar maple charcoal; Diageo)
- Whisky Advocate: George Dickel No. 8, 40 % (84 points, Spring 2012, value pick)
- ThirtyOne Whiskey: George Dickel Classic No. 8 review (40 %; 84 % corn, 8 % rye, 8 % malted barley; sour mash; column then pot still; chill filtering and charcoal)
- WHO/Europe: No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health (04.01.2023)