Jameson Special Reserve 12 Year Old Irish Whiskey
40% ABV
$40 to $50
Widely Available
What the Distillery Says:
Jameson 12 Year Old Special Reserve, with its full-bodied flavour, is like a friendly handshake welcoming you into the world of aged whiskeys. With its pot still whiskeys infused with sherry casks, it’s the best known and most popular of the aged Jameson whiskeys. Exuding great character, its complex yet superbly mellow flavours of toasted wood, spice and sherry and its exquisite taste are a celebration of the enduring heritage of great Jameson whiskeys which began in 1780.
NOSE – Warm, spicy, assertively complex.
TASTE – Sherry richness, nutty flavour, mild woody undertones.
FINISH – Rich and lasting.
What Richard Says:
Nose: Light like fresh grass with fruity notes and a bit of char.
Palate: Creamy and malty with honey and cereal grains coming through. You definitely pick up the sherry casks. The more time you spend with this the sweeter and creamier it gets.
Finish: More oak and wood than on the nose or the palate. A little spice at the tail end of the finish.
Comments: If you like Jameson then kick it up a notch and give this a try. If Jameson is a little too bland for you, still give it a try. There’s a lot more flavor here that may just appeal to you.
Rating: Stands Out
Started my irish whiskey journey with a friend also named Bert who drank Bushmills straight from the freezer. A patient (and later friend) bought me a bottle of Jameson’s, and I never looked back. I’ve settled on 12 year old variety. Trying Powers as I type this, still no comparison.
Can’t comment on hints of this or that, except to say it’s smooth, nice finish and pairs well with most all stogies I like.
Bert, taste is VERY subjective. The important thing is that you enjoy it!