Jameson Bow Street 18 Year Old Cask Strength
It was with great delight that I received an invite to the launch of a new Jameson Expression on Wednesday 25th April at Jameson Distillery, Dublin. This was one I did not want to miss.
The day started at the wonderful Merrion Hotel with brunch. Then it was of to Jameson’s Distillery.
Although I have been to Dublin and Cork on many occasions and I had yet still to visit Jameson’s Distillery. First impression on arrival is wow. The attention to detail is outstanding, fabulous bar area and a well stocked shop with Whiskies, souvenirs and branded clothing.
All the staff were all upbeat and in great spirits. (no pun intended) All the guests on this trip were now going to have the Jameson Bow Street Experience. Take your pick of many experiences including, Premium Whiskey Tasting, How to Blend Your Own, Master the craft of Whiskey Cocktail Making and check out The Archive. The main Bow Street Experience takes you through the history of the distillery and a detailed look at the Whiskey making process down in Midleton.
At he end of this part we were shown through to Dublin’s only live maturation warehouse where we were about draw Whiskey straight from a Jameson cask. Up stepped the ever effervescent Billy Leighton, Midleton’s Master Blender who then gave all a glass of Whiskey straight from the cask, absolutely delightful.
Not to be finished there we were split into two groups, my group first went to the Jameson Archive to be greeted by Carol Quinn, Jameson’s Archivist, Carol was truly engaging, we all sat spellbound by the tales of the history of the distillery including all it’s ups and downs since first opening in 1780.
Next on the agenda was the Tasting and Blending Lab. Once again we are entertained by Billy Leighton. Using only three Whiskies, a Grain, a Pot Still Bourbon Cask and a Sherry Cask we were either to try and create the 18 Year Old or to indulge ourselves and create our own distinctive blend, what a great wee hour this was.
The afternoon finished in the bar with some of the new expression.
Jameson Bow Street 18 Year Old Cask Strength Triple Distilled Irish Whiskey – 55.3% Alc/vol 70cl.
The packaging is exceptional, wood & copper, great combination.
Colour… American amber
Nose… It’s all about the wood, an old kitchen table laden with spices, dark toffee almost treacle like.
Taste… Still plenty of wood, new leather boots to start but in comes the gooseberry and plum tart with a side of Madagascan vanilla ice cream, the toffee also finds it’s way to the palate, quite a delight.
Finish…Long, woody, very sweet now, loads of toffee and vanilla.
Well, well, well we have a new leader of the pack. All the other Jameson expressions now have some one to look up to.
Being priced at approx. £210.00, it is priced quite sensibly for an exceptional cask strength dram.
Billy Leighton, Master Blender at Midleton Distillery, commented: “I’ve long had the unique luxury of being able to taste Jameson straight from the barrel at cask strength. With this first ever global launch of a cask strength Jameson, I’m thrilled that Irish whiskey fans around the world can now experience the full intensity of our whiskey or add a few drops of water to enjoy it at their own preferred strength.”
Well done to Billy Leighton and all at Midleton and Bow Street for creating quite an outstanding dram, a triumph.
Looking forward to Billy’s, Jameson’s and Midleton’s future releases each one just gets better and better.
So, to all reading this firstly if you visit Ireland please put Jameson’s Bow Street Experience high up on your wish list. Secondly do try and get a taste of this wonderful dram, you then will probably treat yourself to a bottle.