Jameson Original (40%, OB, 2017)

• Category: Blended Pot Still and Grain Irish Whiskey
• Origin: Midleton Distillery
• Bottling: Jameson
• ABV: 40%
• Cost: £21.80

What they say:

Jameson Original is a blend of pot still and fine grain whiskeys that is as versatile as it is smooth. Triple-distilled and aged for a minimum of 4 years, this is the timeless whiskey that turned our green bottle into an icon.

Nose: To the nose, Jameson has a light floral fragrance, peppered with spicy wood and sweet notes.

Taste: Perfect balance of spicy, nutty and vanilla notes with hints of sweet sherry and exceptional smoothness.

What I say:

Sampled on numerous occasions during our visit to Dublin for St. Patrick’s Day 2017 with Jameson Irish Whiskey, here are my thoughts on this classic single blended Irish Whiskey. Manufactured from both triple-distilled Pot Still Irish Whiskey made from malted and unmalted barley and Grain Irish whiskey made from corn and a little malted barley, all distilled at Irish Distillers Midleton Distillery near Cork. Matured in a mixture of ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks the complex arrangement of all these factors are blended together to produce a classic, smooth Irish blended Whiskey enjoyed the world over.

Colour:

Buttercream ice cream gold (7/20), medium-sized tears reveal fine legs

Nose:

Rounded, sweet and fruity with pear, creamy vanilla, toffee, apple, spiced, egg-custard tart with a dusting of cinnamon on top, orange peel, dried or candied, sharp citrus, slightly coppery metallic, Apricot jam, malty, floral and honey-sweet

Taste:

Malty, floral and vanilla dominate for me at the outset, then vanilla cream and Apricot jam topped light scones are followed by a citrus grapefruit and lemon mixed pith and peel, perhaps a hint of lime too, honey and caramel add to the sweetness and a grassy/hay mixture builds on the florality, this is medium-light bodied and smooth with a mouth-coating buttery texture.

Finish:

Medium length, malt caramel sauce, hints of powdery spices, fresh citrus and some oak wood

Overall:

A classic blended Irish Whiskey, smooth and approachable on the nose and palate and a hint of spice creeps into the finish. Described by several of my companions on our St Patrick’s Day trip as one of the best introductory whiskies for new/novice whisky drinkers, I can easily agree and see why. I am still 50:50 on my preference to drinking this straight or in a Jameson Whiskey Sour (or Irish Coffee even) as there is so much more to this blend to be found when mixed in cocktails.

Score: 83/100

Don’t take my word for it:

TOModera’s Whisky Reviews Jameson Irish Whiskey

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