It sounds a little silly to use seven different types of oak casks for one single whisky, how many would you be able to detect? Anyway Jura Seven Wood says it is aiming for a multi-layered flavour.
Made using a combination of peated and unpeated spirit, Seven Wood starts in first-fill ex-bourbon American white oak and is then finished in six French oak barrels from Vosges, Limousin, Tronçais, Allier, Jupilles and Les Bertranges.
Jura Seven Wood
(42%, OB 2018)
Nose: apples, lots of malty notes (including porridge) and a little candied ginger. Some honey and fresh, slightly sour apricots. Oranges and raspberry jam. Nutmeg and almonds. Quite nice, just a light plankish side, with the typical perfumed woodiness of French oak in the background.
Mouth: it feels rather weak and faded now. There seems to be a nice, slightly tropical fruity note but it fails to come out. Instead it displays a woodiness (of course) which gives some milky notes and a sour edge. A little smoke, toffee and fruit tea. Cloves and nutmeg.
Finish: medium long, woody with apples and mocha.
Even if you like experiments, this is not really exceptional. It’s entirely about (diluted) wood flavours and doesn’t find the right balance. That said, it’s not as bad as some other reviewers say. Available from TWE or Master of Malt.
Score: 77/100