The fame of Jameson Irish whiskey built up in the 18th and 19th century relied on one specific profile: single pot still whiskey. It became the signature style of Irish whiskey. A mash bill of malted and unmalted barley, triple distilled in copper pot stills, at a single distillery.
Now they revived this profile and created a Jameson whiskey that contains only pot still spirit. Jameson Single Pot Still comes at 46% ABV, which is good news. A complex recipe deserves a bit of oomph to make it stand out. This Five Oak Cask release is matured in a combination of three different types of virgin oak (Irish, European and American), in addition to ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks.
Jameson Single Pot Still (46%, OB 2022, Batch 1/2022, five oak casks)
Nose: nice barley sweetness with ripe stewed fruits, fudge and caramel, as well as hints of green apples. Vanilla comes out alongside more sherry-driven spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. At the top end there are subtle floral notes from the virgin oak casks. The balance between the different casks is excellent and it’s more complex than I expected at this price point.
Mouth: now the virgin wood brings gingery notes, a little white pepper and some oak tannins to the table. After the initial grainy edge, we get orange peels, lemons and apples. Darker notes of toffee and chocolate come out after a while. Then vanilla, cinnamon and a slightly leafy note. Flashes of fresh fruits (plums, peaches) throughout.
Finish: medium long, with sweet grains and oak spice leaving a warming footprint.
I’m not the biggest fan of virgin oak, but for Jameson Single Pot Still they’ve succesfully used the knowledge they built up with Midleton Dair Ghaelach and other experiments. This is a clever composition with nice complexity. I really like the nose and while the taste can’t match it entirely, it stays balanced without any rough edges. I believe this will be a succesful whiskey, leading those that want a step up from the regular Jameson into the more premium pot still releases. Available from the Midleton website for € 60. Travel retail and selected markets will follow soon.