Jameson Gold Reserve
Irish whiskey!
Ubiquitous Jameson Irish Whiskey is a cornerstone nonetheless, like Jack Daniels to Tennessee Whiskey, but you’ll never guess, Mr Jameson was himself a Scotsman. In any case, the almost five million cases of whiskey that bears his name is part of a exploding market sector more so than Scotch. Seems Whiskyrific should really be looking at Irish Whiskey because that’s where the future seems to shine brightest upon.
Why then, Mr. Murray’s 2015 winner may well be an Irish after all.
Quick note on distilleries: The historical Jameson was distilled at the famous Bow Street Distillery (1780 – 1971) in Dublin. The Jameson company itself merged into Irish Distillers in 1966. From 1971, the New Midleton Distillery produced all the whiskey for Irish Distillers various brands. This is a key difference between Irish Whiskey and it’s close cousin Scotch.
(image from http://www.whiskydrinker.com)
Also most Irish Whiskies are blends though there are Single Malt and Single Pot Still Whiskeys available too, Jameson, for instance are all blended. This one is called Jameson Gold Reserve, so no age statement here, but from the promotional material we know that this is a blend of three whiskies, from a mixture of bourbon and sherry casks, and particularly virgin american oak casks. Being Jameson, there is also a pot still component, and of course all of this is triple distilled whether in pot stills or coffey stills. In other words, we don’t know very much at all, except that this expression has got some virgin american oak in it.
Jameson Gold Reserve, 40%
(image from drinksupermart.com)
Nose: Very ‘Irish’ by which I mean smells like there is a big pot still component in here though I’m not sure if that is actually the case, but what I really mean is: clean leather, lots and lots of red berries, fresh white wood shavings, butter curls, peanut brittle, linseed oil, something very dewy green and a moist metallic tang. And a gleaming copper pot, dents and all – sorry, mental image.
Palette: Sweetly sour – bananas and redcurrants with a garnish of lime peel. Metal polish and menthol oil, lots of buttery and cereal notes finally ending with a spicy burst.
Finish: Medium, with a dry sour spicy pucker, goes down too easily. Aftertaste of foam bananas too.
Don’t let that middle of the road arrow fool you, it’s an immensely drinkable whiskey, neat or on the rocks, for any occasion, and hits all the right (though pretty standard) notes. Cask strength please!
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