Isle of Jura 21 Year Old used to be available as part of the core range (bottled at 40%) until 2008-2009. It was discontinued and brought back at 44% for the 200th anniversary of the distillery in 2010. Shortly after it returned to the core range.
Jura 21 Years is part of the ‘rare expressions’, topping the 10yo Origin, the 16yo Diurach’s Own and a couple of peated releases.
Isle of Jura 21 yo
(44%, OB +/- 2017)
Isle of Jura 21 yoNose: quite full, with a sherry influence of toffee, cedar wood and nougat. Bung cloth. Citrusy notes too. Hints of honey. Then apple skins and dried flowers. Light beeswax and tobacco. On top of this there is a coastal note. Quite nice, I like its musty character and the fact that it shows so many different nuances.
Mouth: similar. Blackcurrants, samsons, more toffee, a little vanilla and rich oaky notes. Lemons and a hint of salt. Leather. Grassy touches. Something of a funny hoppy / fragrant note. Roasted nuts.
Finish: medium long, pleasantly dry, with some oaky notes, winter spice and bittersweet nuts.
I rather like this one, especially since I can’t think of another distillery producing this type of dram. I also like its subtle, autumnal character and wide array of aromas. Around € 115, not a bad price these days.
Score: 88/100