Jameson Lively (40%, OB, 2017)

• Category: Blended Pot Still and Grain Irish Whiskey
• Origin: Midleton Distillery
• Bottling: Irish Distillers, Jameson
• ABV: 40%
• Cost: £57.65

What they say:

Jameson Lively

The Deconstructed Series is a stripped down study in taste, pulling apart and amplifying Jameson Original’s key characteristics — Pot Still Whiskey, Grain Whiskey and Cask Contribution. Jameson Bold is pot still perfection, Jameson Lively goes with the grain, and Jameson Round gives the barrel the final say. Taste exploration is at the core of this collection, giving Jameson fans the chance to divide and conquer.

Jameson Lively is a whiskey that goes with the grain. While pot still whiskey is still part of the blend, this whiskey unlocks the grain whiskey element resulting in a light touch and fresher, greener notes. With zesty vanilla, citrus and floral notes floating above all others, the delicate side of Jameson is placed front and centre. For a whiskey that lives up to its name, Jameson Lively leaps to life.

Nose

A delicate floral perfume with hints of Turkish Delight is complimented by the crispness of fresh pine. A touch of lime zest and unripe pears contribute to the fruit notes while crushed fresh herbs complete the delicate balance

Taste

A soft sweet mouth-feel with hints of confectionary, perfume bon bons along with a Turkish Delight. Drying hints of citrus balance the sweetness while a little chilli oil brings the prickle of spices

Finish

Pleasantly long as the confectionary sweetness and spices combined leave just a touch of Liquorice to finish

Introducing Jameson Lively

While pot still whiskey is still part of the blend, this whiskey unlocks the grain whiskey element resulting in a light touch and fresher, greener notes. For a whiskey that lives up to its name, Jameson Lively leaps to life.

What I say:

Originally produced for the Travel Retail market, Jameson Lively is one of 3 whiskies that make up Jameson’s Deconstructed series, designed to highlight the differing influences that make up Jameson Original. Lively explores the effect Irish Grain Whiskey, with flavours selected in the final blend to highlight the Grain Whiskey influence. Produced by Irish Distillers at the Midleton Distillery, thanks to Irish Distillers & Richmond Towers for the official sample.

Colour:

Light Champagne gold (5/20), large loose tears leave fine beaded trails

Nose:

Floral and sweet with citrus lemon rind and juice, grainy and slightly flinty and mineralic, cloying sweetness, cereal maize, popcorn, grassy hay, drying, oak wood.

Taste:

Light citrus zest including lemon, lime and grapefruit, strengthens into pith, slightly chalky, flinty and mineralic, floral notes arise which combine to give rose and lemon Turkish delight, cereal grains including sweet corn and a sweet runny honey, grassy hay, some vanilla and pear/estery notes

Finish:

Short, neutral bordering on sour, cereal, white pepper & chilli spice and liquorice root

Overall:

I enjoyed this expression for its educational purposes of delivering the qualities of the Grain whiskey component of Jameson’s but with a clever twist as this is slightly fuller in body or palate than a standard grain whiskey due to the inclusion of some Pot Still whiskey component, however the flavour profile of the Grain whiskey is delivered unadultered

Score: 82/100

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