Try to look for Jura 1972 and you’ll probably only find two casks distilled December 1972 and bottled by The Scotch Malt Whisky Society in March and August 1991. That’s about all there is. This is SMWS 31.4, the latter of the two. Rare Jura bottlings, hardly ever seen in auctions or collections.
Isle of Jura 18yo 1972
(55,5%, SMWS 1991, ref. 31.4, 75 cl.)
Isle of Jura 18yo 1972Nose: starts like a 1960’s-1970’s Islay whisky, with almost no peat but a camphory note, tobacco, cigar boxes and minty dental floss. Leafy notes. A superb fruitiness too, with mainly cavaillon, papaya and apricots that stand out. Half tropical, half maritime. Light toasted oak and soft spices.
Mouth: hints of the wonderful 1960’s Bowmore fruitiness but with more complexity as there’s also an earthy sharpness and plenty of tiny nuances. Peppercorns, coriander seeds, liquorice. Cedar oak, soft resinous hints. Peat smoke and tiny medicinal notes. Amazing combination.
Finish: long, again this fruity side with the Jura sharpness. Liquorice root and green pepper.
Delightful whisky really – easy to see that Jura is so close to Islay. And remarkable how it developed this kind of complexity – this is just 18 years old. A pretty unique find. Thanks Carsten.
Score: 94/100