June 2012

Jameson Select Reserve

/ / Irish Whiskey, Review /

Jameson Select Reserve Single Distillery Irish Whiskey
Small Batch (International)/Black Barrel (U.S.)
40% ABV/80 Proof
$40
Website

What the Distillery Says:
Whiskeys like Jameson Black Barrel don’t just happen by chance. Years of experience and skill go into the precise selection of whiskeys used in this intense and intriguing addition to the Jameson family.

The Jameson Masters carefully select a high proportion of single Irish pot still whiskey and a rare small batch grain whiskey, all matured in flame-charred bourbon barrels and toasted sherry casks.

The trademark Jameson notes of toasted wood and spice develop while the rich pot still whiskey matures in the dark, aromatic warehouses of our single distillery. The rare, sweet grain whiskey – not found in any other Jameson Whiskey – is triple distilled in small batch quantities on just one occasion each year.

This bold combination of charred barrels, deepened spices and exotic fruits, results in a dark and full-bodied taste experience that is completely unique and unmistakably Jameson. It took 232 years to get here, but we think you will agree that Jameson Black Barrel was worth the wait.
Tasting characteristics

NOSE – Rich and full, developing into the succulent sweetness of exotic fruits like nectarines, apricot and papaya.

TASTE – A burst of flavours combine to produce a creamy, luscious taste experience. The special fruity sweetness from the grain remains consistent, while the waves of vanilla, toasted wood and spices roll through from the pot still whiskey and flame charred barrels.

FINISH – An incredibly long finish with fruit and wood spices lingering in perfect proportion, delivering an extremely rich and luxurious taste experience.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Creamy and lightly sherried with lots of dried straw.
Palate: A richer mouth feel than regular Jameson. A little sweet at first and then you can see the pot still character shining through. I get stone fruit during the transition into the finish. Apricots for sure but others too. I just can’t pick them out.
Finish: Hot and woody at first. Bits of mint and a little nutty as the finish lingers.
Comments: Jameson with more pot still component? Yes please! Jameson only better would be the best description. For some reason this is “Small Batch” everywhere but the U.S. and “Black Barrel” here. I’m guessing it has to do with bottle labeling regulations put in place via bourbon but I don’t really know. I bought mine overseas and it says small batch but they are both the “Select Reserve.” I don’t know that it’s quite worth twice as much as regular Jameson but it’s worth trying if you’re a fan.
Rating: Stands Out

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Jameson Distillery Reserve

/ / Irish Whiskey, Review /

Jameson Old Irish Whiskey
The Old Jameson Distilery Reserve, Aged 12 Years

40% ABV/80 Proof
$50 to $55 depending on exchange rate
Only available at The Old Jameson Distillery in Dublin or The Old Midleton Distillery in Cork

What the Distillery Says:

John Jameson would be justly proud of this exclusive Distillery Reserve Whiskey that commemorates his famous Old Dublin Distillery.

What Richard Says:

Nose: There are little wisps of sulfur right out of the bottle but they fade quickly after pouring. From there it transitions into honey, cream, fresh cut grass, and pine cones.
Palate: Creamy with lots of butterscotch and dried straw. There’s also something in there that reminds me of honey drizzled unripened pears.
Finish: The finish here is surprisingly woody. It’s also a little hotter than I expected. Deep into the finish there’s an aftertaste reminiscent of canned pineapple juice. I’m talking about the cheap stuff they use to make pina coladas with in San Juan.
Comments: I’m a little underwhelmed with this. I wanted something more or something special. What this really tastes like is an older version of standard Jameson. For the money I would tell you to pick up the Special Reserve if you want a 12 year old Jameson. I guess the Distillery Reserve is “special” if you get a bottle personalized at the distillery but then again you have to pay extra for that.

Rating: Average

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Whiskey Shopping in Ireland (2012)

/ / Irish Whiskey, Richard's Blog

(Note – this was originally posted in 2012, so prices may have changed; but the gist still holds true)

As those of you who follow the Whisk(e)y Apostle Twitter feed know I recently went to Ireland with my wife for vacation. Among all the castles, Mesolithic burial mounds, and endless natural beauty I also tried to do a little whiskey tourism too. I know, go figure. I have plenty of great things to share with you but I thought I’d start off with shopping. No, I’m not talking about the couture shops in Dublin or that perfect Irish wool sweater. I’m talking about whiskey shopping. If I could put it into one sentence it would be this. Don’t buy Irish whiskey in Ireland.

Did that surprise some of you? Well, it surprised the hell out of me too. Let me elaborate. Given the variety of Irish whiskeys available in the U.S. and through other outlets you’re hard pressed to find too many Ireland only bottles. For the rest of the selection you’ll easily find better prices elsewhere. Taxes on Ireland’s native spirit are astronomical compared to what you’ll pay here. Let’s use a regular bottle of Jameson (750ml US/700ml International), the standard bearer for Irish whiskey.

• Jameson in the U.S. is around $20 a bottle. (Binny’s Chicago/Total Wine Atlanta)
• Jameson in Ireland (Dublin, Galway Killarney) is €24.50 or $30.64 VAT included.

Ouch! That’s about 50% more a bottle of plain old Jameson. It doesn’t get any better when you’re buying up to a bottle of Midleton Very Rare either. Even when you cut out the VAT (about $4) you’re still better off buying U.S. for any bottle of Irish whiskey you kind find here. There is a little relief buying Ireland than the U.K. but it’s still way more than buying stateside.

If you are going to buy Irish whiskey in Ireland and you’re not planning to drink it there my one piece of advice is this…duty free. That does limit you a bit. U.S. travelers are limited to one liter of duty free spirit per traveler when returning to the U.S. However, there are two key things you need to know about that. First, it’s irrespective of age. So if your kids are traveling with you too then you can use their liter allowance too. Second, in a lot of instances the paying duty is actually cheaper than pay VAT in Ireland.

Some of you might wonder about selection. There’s a lot of Irish whiskey in Ireland. You might not even realize how much the selection of Irish whiskey has expanded in recent years until you’re in a shop confronted by all of it. However, as most of these selections are available in the U.S. or online you might want to focus on the few you can’t here. Green Spot, Yellow Spot, Powers John Lane, and Midleton Barry Crocket are a few examples. Also, if you’re visiting distilleries they all tend to have a distillery only bottle that for obvious reasons you can’t get anywhere else. Be warned that the bottle offered at Kilbeggan can also be purchased for a LOT cheaper duty free. 😉 The distillery bottles really are the only “Ireland Only” bottles left out there. Everything else you should be able to get your hands on one way or another.

So if I had to sum it for you I’d say this. First, if you can get it here don’t try to buy it there. Second, the distillery exclusives are worth a look. Third, anything else should be purchased duty free at the airport on your way out. The Loop operates The Irish Whiskey Collection right after departure security in Dublin’s airport. They have everything you can get anywhere else in Ireland except that one bottle of Bushmills and one bottle of Jameson. The Irish Whiskey Collection is also the cheapest place in the Emerald Isle to buy the stuff. They also have a number of private bottlings of Cooley’s various whiskies that you can only get from them.

I hope this helps in your shopping preparation if you’re planning a trip to Ireland. It’s a lovely country with amazing people. You shouldn’t go without making the native spirit part of the fun!

Drink wisely my friends,

Richard

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Jameson Signature Reserve

/ / Irish Whiskey, Review /

Jameson Signature Reserve Irish Whiskey

40% ABV/80 Proof
$45-$55/Liter
Website

What the Distiller Says

What’s in a Signature? Well, over the centuries the Jameson signature has been recognised as a stamp of authenticity and assured quality, and has played its part in building Jameson’s worldwide reputation. Long before distilleries began bottling their own whiskey, Jameson insisted that their own labels, each bearing the John Jameson & Son signature, accompany every delivery of casks to the whiskey bonders. And so it was that the Jameson signature became synonymous with the characteristic taste and superb quality of Jameson.

Jameson Signature Reserve celebrates this fine tradition, with its high pot still content and a significant taste contribution from oloroso sherry casks. Aged in the best quality American bourbon barrels and Spanish oloroso sherry casks, this is a whiskey as sophisticated as it is well-balanced.

Available when you are on your travels in airport shopping outlets only, this Jameson family member is sure to become a favorite for people on the move.
Tasting characteristics

NOSE – Sweet, floral, light perfume notes are followed by underlying spice. Some nuttiness, apples and dried fruits.
TASTE – Initial impression is a mouth coating of heather honey sweetness. This is closely followed by the some smooth spicy notes. Additional complexity is added with cedar wood and vanilla notes from the American Oak. There is a touch of citrus and rich dried fruits.
FINISH – A long, warm, sweet finish.

What Richard Says:

Nose: Apples, pears, southern ambrosia lay the groundwork then are followed by a light sherry character.
Palate: Sweetness reminiscent of orange blossom honey flowing into classic Jameson with a little extra sherry kick.
Finish: There is more oak than usual for Jameson. It mellows into fresh straw and apple extract.
Comments: I would not consider this a “better” Jameson. Rather, it’s like a riff on the Jameson foundation. The Jameson songbook played in a different key. I picked up three new Jamesons on my travels to Ireland and this is my least favorite of the three. Their website still says this is travel retail only but you can also get it at The Whisky Exchange and The Celtic Whiskey Shop.

Rating: Average

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