When it comes to spirits from the Emerald Isle, Jameson Irish Whiskey is usually the first to come to mind. Unlike other bottles of Whisk(e)y, Jameson doesn’t separate or divide groups by class or geographical region–turns out that whole Jameson is Catholic and Bushmills is Protestant thing doesn’t have a lick of truth to it. Jameson is a tipple for everyone.
It’s produced from a blend of grain Whiskey and single pot still Whiskey, which uses a mixture of malted and “green” Irish barley that are all sourced from within a 50-mile radius around the distillery in Cork. Unlike some Scotch Whiskies, the barley is dried in a closed kiln fired by natural glass. It is then triple distilled and aged in oak casks for a minimum of four years.
The nose is smooth and mellow with floral notes and hints of marmalade, fudge, and fresh cut grass. On the palate, it balances subtle vanilla and nuttiness with spice and hints of sweet Sherry. The finish is on the short side for Whisk(e)y, but lingers with notes of milk chocolate and butterscotch.
There aren’t many wrong ways to drink Jameson. Go ahead and sip it neat or on the rocks, or, if you want something a tad more decadent, use it in a cocktail. If you’re looking to mix something up for a big group of people, the company recommends the Smithfield Grocer:
Smithfield Grocer:
- 12 parts Jameson Irish Whiskey
- 33 parts of pomegranate juice
- 1 and 3/4 parts chopped ginger
- The zest and juice of 3 limes
- 1 and 3/4 part sugar
- 8 parts ginger beer
- Pomegranate seeds
- Sliced limes
Combine pomegranate juice, chopped ginger, zest and juice of 3 limes and sugar into a blender. Blend everything up and sieve the mixture into a jug. Add Jameson and ginger beer. Serve in a short glass over ice. Garnish with lime slices and pomegranate seeds.
Founded in Dublin in 1780 by John Jameson, the now Pernod Ricard-owned brand is produced at the New Midleton Distillery in County Cork. It is by far the best-selling Irish whiskey in the world and has been sold internationally since the 19th Century.
Jameson has made a number of other bottlings over time. At the moment, they are also producing a Cold Brew, a Black Barrel, an 18 Year, the Crested, a Distillery Edition, as well as the Caskmates range and a Makers Series. Also available from the New Midleton Distillery are the Powers, Redbreast, Spot, Midleton, and Paddy labels.
Jameson Irish Whiskey Ratings:
- Flaviar: 7.1/10
- The Whiskey Jug: 79/100