Origin: Cork (Ireland)
Type: Blended Irish Whiskey
Gradation: 40%ABV
Ageing casks: Ex-Bourbon and ex-Beer
Chillfiltered: Yes
Added coloring: Yes
Owner: Pernod Ricard
Average price: € 35.00
Official website: www.jamesonwhiskey.com
Vote: 80/100
The first in the series dedicated to finishings in casks that contained beer, in a sort of twinning of two factually related spirits, this edition born in 2014 saw some Jameson casks loaned to Franciscan Well Brewery to rest their stout in, and when the casks returned, the producer poured their blended into them for around six months, thus giving it a stout finishing.
As of 2019, they moved to Eight Degrees Brewing for the finishing.
Tasting notes
On the nose, the first impression is of freshly baked bread, a mix of cereals and yeast that isn’t particularly incisive since the aromas are, at least initially, quite subdued. Giving it time, notes of sugar paste, green apple, nuts (pine nuts, hazelnuts), candied lemon and pineapple are defined, and finally, just digging into the glass with a great deal of patience, a whisper of coffee candy comes through, barely holding back a squeal of triumph at having found an idea of stout. Not exactly explosive, but it was hard to expect anything else.
A hint of pepper and ginger introduces a light (but not too much) palate in which the influence of the beer makes itself felt more, still with a discreet vegetal component supported by hints of coffee cream, chocolate, brown sugar, a touch of nutmeg and cinnamon, in the background some fruity hints.
Fairly short finish of coffee, vegetal notes, hints of spice and baked apple.
It doesn’t exactly get off to a great start but recovers enough in the drinking, just enough to make it a pleasant alternative to the classic blended. There is no subtlety or three-dimensionality to be found or offered, but the finishing does its job more than decently, and at such a popular price you can’t really complain.