Jameson Caskmates Stout (40%, OB, 2016)

• Category: Blended Pot Still and Grain Irish Whiskey
• Origin: Midleton Distillery
• Bottling: Irish Distillers, Jameson
• ABV: 40%
• Cost: £23.48

What they say:

Jameson Caskmates

Two heads are said to be better than one, and this whiskey adds serious weight to that argument. Emerging from a conversation between our head distiller and the head brewer of Cork’s Franciscan Well Brewery, Jameson Caskmates has been finished in stout-seasoned whiskey casks. While our triple-distilled smoothness is very much intact, notes of cocoa, coffee and butterscotch confirm the stout influence.

Caskmates is a head-turning, modern Irish whiskey.

Nose:

crisp orchard fruits like green apples and pears, mild pot still spices

Taste:

Subtle touch of hops and cocoa beans, Marzipan and charred oak

Finish:

Long and sweet with Milk Chocolate and Butterscotch

What I say:

First sampled in St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin as part of Jamesons 2017 St Patrick’s Day celebrations. Produced by Irish Distillers at the Midleton Distillery, this Jameson expression is finished in stout-seasoned whisky casks reportedly from The Franciscan Well microbrewery in Cork, nearby to the Midleton Distillery. Thanks to Irish Distillers & Richmond Towers for the official sample.

Colour:

Full amber gold (9/20), medium-sized tears leave long fine legs

Nose:

Thick cremola foam & whipped vanilla cream, frothy mocha-latte with a shot of chocolate liqueur, some woody spices emerge along with a touch of fruity citrus peel or essential oil, apricot jam, floral, grassy and cereal notes give way to toasted coconut and coconut milk or cream.

Taste:

Creamy and fruity with apricot jam and vanilla cream, chocolate sauce, wood spices like cinnamon and nutmeg and a touch of star anise, toffee-nut brittle coated in dark chocolate, becomes slightly bitter with a shot of espresso coffee or roasted coffee beans/grounds.

Finish:

Long, rich, buttery, mocha & espresso coffee, chocolate covered coffee beans, vanilla pods and star anise

Overall:

A simply awesome rich and chocolatey Jameson expression, the Stout influence from the casks has worked beautifully here giving a good chocolate and coffee depth to the whiskey that I love so much in Stout beer.

Score: 87/100

Don’t take my word for it:

TOModera’s Whisky Reviews Jameson Caskmates Stout Edition

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