Jameson Black Barrel Select Reserve brings together Irish pot still whiskey and rare small batch grain whiskey aged in a combination of ex-sherry and ex-bourbon barrels. Seeking to bridge the gap between their higher end products and the base line, Jameson has come out with a blend that is only $10 more than the standard Jameson. Perhaps price has been an issue to some consumers, as Jameson Gold Reserve is delicious but priced at nearly double the base blend. It’s unfortunate, because the Jameson line, which includes Jameson 12 Year and Jameson Gold Reserve, has a lot to offer. Jameson has become so popular and obsequious that people often refer to the base blend simply as “Jameson”. It’s my bias and I own it.When it comes to Jameson, few people venture beyond the standard base Jameson Irish Whiskey blend. You probably see I’m inclined toward single pot still Irish over the Bushmills and Tullamore Dews. And if you shop online at Cappy’s or Amity, you can get the liter bottle, including shipping, for under $50, which is a DEAL. For the price, there is not a better value or drink, in my opinion. If I’m with my whiskey bros, I’ll bring the Yellow Spot or Midleton Very Rare.īut night after night when I’m home and wanting my nightly spirit, I always go for the Black Barrel. If I’m going to a party and there will be some moderately knowledgeable-about-whiskey people there, I might bring the Powers John’s Lane or the Redbreast CS. If someone who doesn’t drink whiskey much comes over and says, I want to try this Irish whiskey stuff, I’ll probably pour the Green Spot, as it’s about as smooth and beginner-friendly as it gets. I swear, it is so smooth yet so flavorful. After trying every Irish whiskey available on the Internet in America, and a few outside of it, I’ve settled on the Black Barrel as my daily drink. So, as soon as I discovered a fondness for Irish whiskey, I had to try every available one, from 2Gingers to Barry Crockett Legacy. I’m the kind of person that gets into things comprehensively. The views, opinions, and tasting notes are 100% my own. SCORE: 86/100 *Disclosure: This bottle of Jameson Black Barrel was graciously sent to me by the company for the purposes of this review. From the rich malty caramel nose to the creamy palate and malty finish it’s just plain delicious. The one that I’ll be stocking in my home bar. I can honestly say that I have finally found MY Jameson. Wow I love this stuff, but then I’m a big Irish whiskey fan and anytime I get a good strong dose of that wonderful single pot still character it puts a big ole’ grin on my face. Good balance with a full body and a soft creamy texture. Like on the nose some coppery notes come through and it’s easy to taste that wonderful single pot still character.īig malty ending mixed with fruit and wood that goes on and on. Some nice warm woody notes pick up and the spice from the nose morphs into being more cinnamon driven with a tiny bit of vanilla and lemony citrus. From the nose alone it’s easy to tell that there’s a good amount of single pot still in this whiskey.Ĭaramel, toffee, malt and a pronounced fruit work their way across the palate. There is a hint of wood and some coppery undertones from the single pot still. Grassy malt, caramel, butterscotch and a light fruit lazily make their way out of the glass followed by some nice lemony citrus and a touch of spice. Tasted next to the Jameson 12 year it’s very apparent that we’re dealing with a much greater quantity of SPS which makes for a richer tastier whiskey. There’s no real way for me to verify that the grain whiskey used in this is any different than the regular grain whiskey they use, but the quantity of single pot still whiskey is easy enough to verify. Like the main Jameson releases, and as previously stated, the Black Barrel is a blend, but it’s comprised of a much higher amount of single pot still whiskey which is aged in re-charred bourbon barrels and uses a “rare small batch grain whiskey” for the blending. It’s not quite as monumental as the Barry Crockett Legacy, but it’s working its way up there and as far as blended Irish whiskey goes it just might be my favorite, readily accessible, blend on the market. The Jameson Black Barrel is fantastic stuff. I buy it, I drink it, I mix with it, I share it with friends, but I can’t say that I’ve actually LOVED a bottle of Jameson… till now.
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