A couple of weeks ago, two releases were added to the “Classic label” series of The Whiskyman. Both of them were bottled exclusively for the Swedish market. Today we’re having a Jura 1988 (from the same stock that I picked as highlights of 2012), while the other one was distilled in an undisclosed Speyside distillery in 1995.
In case you’re wondering: indeed shops that usually distribute The Whiskyman releases in Belgium will not have this on offer. Better book a trip to Sweden. And then to Luxemburg for the upcoming release.
Isle of Jura 24 yo 1988 (51,2%, The Whiskyman for Sweden 2012, bourbon cask, 116 btl.)
Nose: gorgeous. It is dusty, it is farmy, it is fruity, it is nutty… I get berries, tangerine candy, hay, leather, mint, cured meat, linseed oil, grease (not just wax) and butter, tobacco… And there’s also this amazing note of wet sheep and goat stables, something that comes very close to Brora’s unique farminess. I adored most of these similar Jura 1988 expressions, and this one may well be my favourite on the nose.
Mouth: good attack, with hints of peat. Now playing the card of herbal liqueurs and zesty citrus. Grapefruit, lemon (balm), liquorice, a little ginger maybe. Big minty notes. Chocolate. Slightly resinous with a pinch of salt. Slightly austere but beautifully so.
Finish: long, with the zesty notes and herbs having the last word.
This whole batch of Jura 1988 casks is right up my alley. This one has one of the best noses for sure, and with a bit more fruitiness returning in the mouth it would have been absolutely stellar. Excellent pick nonetheless, one to keep aside for the moment when someone says modern Jura is not so great. Around € 130 in the tax-free selection of the Viking Line.
Score: 91/100