Origin: Isle of Jura (Scotland)
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Strength: 49.7%ABV
Ageing cask: Ex-Bourbon barrel
Chillfiltered: No
Added coloring: No
Owner: eSpirits Whisky Limburg
Average price: € 89.00
Official website: www.liquid-treasures.com
Vote: 88/100
We introduce another independent bottler to our blog, from Germany, born just over ten years ago on the initiative of the online shop eSpirits Whisky.
Under these evocatively illustrated labels you can find both rums and whiskies, and of the latter about a hundred releases have been made so far.
And what better way to approach an independent than with a single cask from a distillery let’s say controversial as Jura, which has never really made a dent in the hearts of enthusiasts (including mine).
Single cask ex-Bourbon, cask strength, with a 1992 distillate put into 98 bottles in 2020 (and, despite this, at a price I’d say very affordable), part of the Living World series.
Another single cask has recently been released, in the Retro series, with a twelve year old whisky also from ex-Bourbon.
Tasting notes
Given the right amount of time to rest in the glass, the initial metallic vein loses strength to make way for a softer nose, albeit with some rough edges. Pear, pineapple, marzipan, lacquered wood, lemon, caramel, sour milk, a hint of beeswax: not exactly the most pleasing of profiles, but it shows a definite and interesting personality. Over time, it becomes warmer and more enveloping, with a remarkable persistence.
Once it reaches the palate, a generous spice (black pepper and cinnamon) accompanies a full body that is still not very prone to complacency: tropical fruit, pear and caramel intertwine with anise, liquorice root, almond and accentuated balsamic tones, and there is a return to that idea of milk gone bad, which may sound unpleasant but has its place. Propolis.
The finish is not very long and bitterish, of spices, sugar icing, propolis and tobacco.
There is certainly no boredom with this whisky, which holds the attention with an eccentric and distinct character that cannot leave you indifferent. And when you’re having fun, it’s impossible to remain impassive.