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Isle of
Jura
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My
thanks to Teun van Wel for permission to copy & use the
distillery photo |
Isle of
Jura distillery
Region:
Island
Location: Jura, Argyllshire
Status: Operational (owned by Whyte & Mackay)
General whisky characteristics: Smooth, nuts, leafy (Autumnal)
More great distillery info here, thanks to
Malt Madness |
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Jura,
distilled 1988,
60.3% ABV
Sherry cask,
festival bottling
Typical cost of
this bottle; |
Nose: Burning, then
strong raisins and currants.
Palate: Nuts, marzipan
and rich fruit cake.
With 3 drops of water:
Opens up to release more defined and complex fruit, nut and
leafy flavours and much better when reduced from 60%.
Overall Impression and author's
note: We were told that this was an exclusive. Only
Richard himself and the distillery managers had tried this so
far. It certainly was good and had a very long finish. But
better with just a few drops of water. |
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Something Special:
Isle of Jura, 33y (Typical cost of
this bottle; )
Once
again, picture the scene; I'm sitting in a hotel meeting room
overlooking George Square in Glasgow and some chap called
Richard Paterson is telling me (and the other 30 or so
Masterclass attendees) how he'll kill me if I hold my glass in
this way, or dare to put ice in it. Well, I suppose I can
understand the ice comment, but holding a glass? OK Richard,
anything you say.
More
to the point, lined up in front of me are four magnificent drams,
one of which is the Isle of Jura 33y and which turns out not to
be good, but bloomin' marvellous! In fact it was so good, I have
awarded it 8th place in my all-time 'Top 10' whiskies!
Why?
A complex and extremely smooth and harmonious collection of
nutty innuendoes, unbelievable creaminess, just a touch of sea
air and all overlayed with that typical Jura leafiness which I
liken to a leafy English country lane in Autumn.
Wonderful! Thank you Richard for such gems. |
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Jura,
Superstition, 45% ABV
Typical cost of
this bottle; |
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Glass: Spiegelau
Colour: Rich gold / amber
Nose:
Slightly medicinal wellies (Wellington boots) in the middle of a
peat bog on a damp Autumn day.
Palate: Solid peat,
almost without (wood) smoke, but offering slight hints of
seaweed and a lump of Scottish jetty.
With 3 drops of water:
Some of that missing smoke is suddenly released.
Finish: Very long
Overall Impression and author's
note: My first Superstition and it certainly won't be my
last. I like this, it has good, solid peat. |
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Jura,
Prophecy, 46% ABV
First Annual
Release
Typical cost of
this bottle; |
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Glass: Classic Malt
Colour: Rich gold
Nose:
A delivery of peat cast away in a heavy-duty rubber dinghy in an
Atlantic storm.
Palate: Smooth, very
smooth, then bold peat on the front of the tongue whilst a hint
of fruit tantalises the sides of the palate.
Finish: Medium to long, slightly sweet and very peaty, in a
typically gentle Jura way.
Overall Impression: A
very good peaty dram, not a monster from across the sound, but a
gentle Jura with lots of peaty character. Very nice! |
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Jura,
16y, 40% ABV
Typical cost of
this bottle; |
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Glass: Classic Malt
Colour: Glowing amber
Nose:
Floral, slightly perfumed olde worlde sweet shop. Delightful
aromas reminding me of a perfumed rose garden with extra depth.
Palate: Rich, smooth,
slightly floral, not quite violets but a very floral and
perfumed Spring meadow.
Finish: Long and floral
Overall Impression: This
is extremely aromatic and more Spring-time than Autumn. If you
like floral then this is for you! Very nice! |
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Jura,
10y, 40% ABV
Typical cost of
this bottle; |
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Glass: Classic Malt
Colour: Dark oak, almost
amber
Nose:
Slightly pungent, farmyard, leafy
Palate: Leafy farmyard,
slightly vegetal but also slightly floral
Finish: Medium to long, slightly dry and vegetal.
Overall Impression: I
define Jura as my definitive Autumn whisky, this is similarly so
but slightly more vegetal. |
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Murray McDavid,
Isle of Jura,
distilled 1989, 14y, 46% ABV
Typical cost of
this bottle; |
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Nose:
My first thought was crushed wet leaves on a
country road in autumn, but the more I nose this one the more I
detect stronger floral tendencies with touches of seasoned
leather and new wood.
Palate:
Initially surprisingly gentle with the faintest
suggestion of liquorice. Theres also a fresh tingle on the
front of the tongue.
Overall Impression:
This really is a good IB Jura which makes an
excellent anytime dram. |
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