Whisky Magazine Honors Chris Fletcher at 2026 Icons of Whisky Awards.
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. The awards ceremony was held February 12 in Louisville, Kentucky.
At the same event, Jack Daniel’s 14-Year-Old Tennessee Whiskey Batch 1 was awarded World’s Best Tennessee Whiskey. Winners from the World Whiskies Awards Americas will advance to compete against global entries at the World Whiskies Awards next month.
Leadership Role at the Jack Daniel Distillery
In his role as Vice President, Master Distiller and Director of Distillery Operations, Fletcher oversees production and innovation while maintaining the distillery’s established processes. A Lynchburg native, Fletcher learned about whiskey production from his grandfather and late Master Distiller Frank Bobo. He is one of only a small number of individuals to hold the title of Master Distiller in the distillery’s nearly 160-year history.
During his five years in the role, Fletcher has overseen releases including the Bonded Series, the Aged Series, expressions from the Special Release Series, and the Distillery Series line of experimental whiskeys.
Jack Daniel’s 14-Year-Old Batch 1 Recognized
Jack Daniel’s 14-Year-Old Tennessee Whiskey Batch 1 was released in February 2025 as part of the fourth annual Aged Series release. The expression marked the first time since the early- to mid-1900s that the distillery offered a whiskey of this age.
Bottled at 126.3 proof (63.15% ABV), the whiskey begins with Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey mash bill and undergoes the Lincoln County Process, mellowed drop by drop through 10 feet of sugar maple charcoal. According to the distillery, extended aging contributed notes of sweet bakery spices with layers of oak and a palate featuring creamy butterscotch, leather, and tobacco.
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