Another Jura from Whisky Sponge, don’t mind if we do… I’ve really grown fond of these old Jura expressions, they’re unique and seem to take varying positions within the Clynelish-Springbank-Port Ellen triangle, if that makes sense. This one was distilled in 1990 and matured in a refill hogshead.
Jura 30 yo 1990 (49,7%, Whisky Sponge 2020, refill hogshead, 217 btl.)
Nose: wet gravel, chalk and leather, mixed with hay and sunflower oil. Something muddy. Waxed papers and a little (nice) plastic. Next to this overwhelming mineral side there is a layer of green bananas. Brighter lime and tangerine as well.
Mouth: a fairly zesty start, like lemon peel and grapefruit (here the yellow kind, not the pink one I’d say). Eucalyptus and walnuts, as well as a peaty and earthy layer, hinting towards Caol Ila. Some green tea and resin. Candle wax and a little mint. Sharper than the nose.
Finish: long, still very zesty, with a light bitterness and drops of herbal liqueurs.
Great oldskool whisky again, a little less fruity and much more zesty than the other 1990 and 1991 examples of late. I prefer the others, but I have to admit it’s not a direct comparison (we simply cannot keep these babies closed until another one presents itself…). Sold out, as far as I know.