Whiskey

When it comes to Irish whiskey, Jameson Original is one of the first names that comes to mind—and rightly so. It’s a true classic. A blend of Pot Still and grain whiskeys, each aged for at least four years, this expression is triple-distilled (like many Irish whiskeys) and bottled at 40% ABV. Nose: Very floral and fresh. Notes of caramel, sugar, oak, grass, and a hint of spice. Palate: Carries a sweetness similar to the nose—caramel, sugar, lemon, and vanilla. The spicy notes are a bit more pronounced here. There’s also a light malty and nutty character. Exceptionally smooth and silky. Finish: Short and sweet. With its soft and sweet character, Jameson Original is a great choice for those who enjoy lighter whiskeys or are just starting their whiskey journey. At a few tastings I’ve attended, I’ve seen it served not only neat but also paired with pickle juice or Irish beers. I must say, both pairings worked surprisingly well.

When it comes to Irish whiskey, Jameson Original is one of the first names that comes to mind—and rightly so. It’s a true classic. A blend of Pot Still and grain whiskeys, each aged for at least four years, this expression is triple-distilled (like many Irish whiskeys) and bottled at 40% ABV. Nose: Very floral and fresh. Notes of caramel, sugar, oak, grass, and a hint of spice. Palate: Carries a sweetness similar to the nose—caramel, sugar, lemon, and vanilla. The spicy notes are a bit more pronounced here. There’s also a light malty and nutty character. Exceptionally smooth and silky. Finish: Short and sweet. With its soft and sweet character, Jameson Original is a great choice for those who enjoy lighter whiskeys or are just starting their whiskey journey. At a few tastings I’ve attended, I’ve seen it served not only neat but also paired with pickle juice or Irish beers. I must say, both pairings worked surprisingly well.

Jameson Black Barrel is an expression from the world-renowned Irish whiskey brand Jameson, bottled at 40% ABV after being matured in double-charred bourbon barrels. The name “Black Barrel” comes from the charred, blackened appearance of the barrels used. In addition to grain whiskey, Jameson Black Barrel is said to contain a high proportion of Pot Still whiskey in its blend. Nose: The familiar floral and sweet aromas typical of Jameson are accompanied by plenty of vanilla, toffee, tropical fruit, peach, and oak. Palate: Just like on the nose, caramel, vanilla, and fruity notes are prominent on the palate. The oak character becomes more pronounced, with hints of cinnamon and a subtle charcoal touch. Finish: A short to medium-length finish with caramel, cinnamon, and oak. Compared to the standard Jameson, Jameson Black Barrel is a smooth, light Irish whiskey with more pronounced caramelized and mildly spicy flavors.

Jameson Black Barrel is an expression from the world-renowned Irish whiskey brand Jameson, bottled at 40% ABV after being matured in double-charred bourbon barrels. The name “Black Barrel” comes from the charred, blackened appearance of the barrels used. In addition to grain whiskey, Jameson Black Barrel is said to contain a high proportion of Pot Still whiskey in its blend. Nose: The familiar floral and sweet aromas typical of Jameson are accompanied by plenty of vanilla, toffee, tropical fruit, peach, and oak. Palate: Just like on the nose, caramel, vanilla, and fruity notes are prominent on the palate. The oak character becomes more pronounced, with hints of cinnamon and a subtle charcoal touch. Finish: A short to medium-length finish with caramel, cinnamon, and oak. Compared to the standard Jameson, Jameson Black Barrel is a smooth, light Irish whiskey with more pronounced caramelized and mildly spicy flavors.

Jameson Caskmates Stout Edition is a blend of Single Pot Still whiskey (made using both malted and unmalted barley) and grain whiskey. After aging in former bourbon barrels, the whiskey is transferred to casks that previously held stout beer, where it completes its maturation. Jameson sources these stout-seasoned barrels from Franciscan Well, an Irish craft brewery. The Caskmates series, created to explore the similarities and harmony between whiskey and beer, has been a line I’ve followed with great interest for quite some time. I first had the chance to taste Jameson Caskmates Stout Edition at the Temple Whiskey Bar in Dublin. Nose: Fruity notes such as green apple, pear, and lime, accompanied by malt, spices, hops, chocolate, and marzipan. Roasted coffee bean aromas also make a subtle appearance. It’s intense and complex. Palate: Malt, spices, caramel, and chocolate are joined by coffee and a touch of smoke. It’s a rich, oily whiskey with a full-bodied texture and an impressively smooth character. Finish: Medium in length, with lime, mild spice, dark chocolate, and roasted coffee notes. Overall: Compared to standard Jameson, Jameson Caskmates Stout Edition is a richer, more aromatic expression, yet still easy to drink. The diverse flavors on the palate and the satisfying finish stand out. The use of beer casks is not only effective but also a unique and clever move.

Jameson Caskmates Stout Edition is a blend of Single Pot Still whiskey (made using both malted and unmalted barley) and grain whiskey. After aging in former bourbon barrels, the whiskey is transferred to casks that previously held stout beer, where it completes its maturation. Jameson sources these stout-seasoned barrels from Franciscan Well, an Irish craft brewery. The Caskmates series, created to explore the similarities and harmony between whiskey and beer, has been a line I’ve followed with great interest for quite some time. I first had the chance to taste Jameson Caskmates Stout Edition at the Temple Whiskey Bar in Dublin. Nose: Fruity notes such as green apple, pear, and lime, accompanied by malt, spices, hops, chocolate, and marzipan. Roasted coffee bean aromas also make a subtle appearance. It’s intense and complex. Palate: Malt, spices, caramel, and chocolate are joined by coffee and a touch of smoke. It’s a rich, oily whiskey with a full-bodied texture and an impressively smooth character. Finish: Medium in length, with lime, mild spice, dark chocolate, and roasted coffee notes. Overall: Compared to standard Jameson, Jameson Caskmates Stout Edition is a richer, more aromatic expression, yet still easy to drink. The diverse flavors on the palate and the satisfying finish stand out. The use of beer casks is not only effective but also a unique and clever move.

Jameson Caskmates IPA Edition, the second expression in the Caskmates series, is—like its counterpart, the Stout Edition—a blend of Single Pot Still and grain whiskeys. After maturing in former bourbon barrels, it undergoes a finishing period in casks that previously held IPA beer before bottling. Nose: Fruity notes like apple, pear, and lemon are accompanied by generous vanilla, light hops, oak, malt, honey, toffee, and cinnamon. Compared to the Stout Edition, it’s softer and more perfumed on the nose. Palate: Exceptionally smooth and easy to drink—almost as if diluted with water. Sweet flavors such as orange, honey, and bitter toffee are complemented by cinnamon and oak. There's also a slight bitterness reminiscent of espresso and toasted bread. Finish: Medium in length and warming, with notes of bitters, ginger, and spice. Overall: Like the Stout Edition, Jameson Caskmates IPA Edition is a distinctive expression within the series. However, I personally prefer the Stout version, primarily because I find the IPA Edition a bit too mellow on the palate. That said, IPA beer lovers will likely find this whiskey especially enjoyable.

Jameson Caskmates IPA Edition, the second expression in the Caskmates series, is—like its counterpart, the Stout Edition—a blend of Single Pot Still and grain whiskeys. After maturing in former bourbon barrels, it undergoes a finishing period in casks that previously held IPA beer before bottling. Nose: Fruity notes like apple, pear, and lemon are accompanied by generous vanilla, light hops, oak, malt, honey, toffee, and cinnamon. Compared to the Stout Edition, it’s softer and more perfumed on the nose. Palate: Exceptionally smooth and easy to drink—almost as if diluted with water. Sweet flavors such as orange, honey, and bitter toffee are complemented by cinnamon and oak. There's also a slight bitterness reminiscent of espresso and toasted bread. Finish: Medium in length and warming, with notes of bitters, ginger, and spice. Overall: Like the Stout Edition, Jameson Caskmates IPA Edition is a distinctive expression within the series. However, I personally prefer the Stout version, primarily because I find the IPA Edition a bit too mellow on the palate. That said, IPA beer lovers will likely find this whiskey especially enjoyable.

From Jameson, a brand we've come to associate with innovative bottlings in recent years, comes a release that’s sure to excite both whiskey and coffee lovers: Jameson Cold Brew! Ever since I first heard about it nearly three years ago, I’d been eagerly waiting to try this expression—and as of August 2021, it was finally released in limited quantities in Turkey. Jameson Cold Brew is a coffee-flavored whiskey made by blending Jameson—aged for at least four years in American and sherry casks—with Cold Brew coffee extracted from Brazilian and Colombian Arabica beans. It contains 30% ABV and has no added sugar. Nose: Notes of coffee, dark chocolate, vanilla, and honey are accompanied by subtle roasted and nutty aromas. The whiskey and coffee elements are very well balanced. Palate: Just like on the nose, coffee, dark chocolate, hazelnut, and vanilla flavors stand out. These are followed by a touch of malt and spice. Aromatic and very easy to drink. Finish: A medium-length finish with coffee, dark chocolate, and light roasted notes. Overall: Jameson Cold Brew is an aromatic and bold drink that adapts well to different drinking styles depending on your taste and mood. I personally enjoyed it with a single large ice cube, but it also works great neat or in cocktails. It’s especially promising for use in classic cocktail recipes, where it can bring out unique and unexpected flavor combinations.

From Jameson, a brand we've come to associate with innovative bottlings in recent years, comes a release that’s sure to excite both whiskey and coffee lovers: Jameson Cold Brew! Ever since I first heard about it nearly three years ago, I’d been eagerly waiting to try this expression—and as of August 2021, it was finally released in limited quantities in Turkey. Jameson Cold Brew is a coffee-flavored whiskey made by blending Jameson—aged for at least four years in American and sherry casks—with Cold Brew coffee extracted from Brazilian and Colombian Arabica beans. It contains 30% ABV and has no added sugar. Nose: Notes of coffee, dark chocolate, vanilla, and honey are accompanied by subtle roasted and nutty aromas. The whiskey and coffee elements are very well balanced. Palate: Just like on the nose, coffee, dark chocolate, hazelnut, and vanilla flavors stand out. These are followed by a touch of malt and spice. Aromatic and very easy to drink. Finish: A medium-length finish with coffee, dark chocolate, and light roasted notes. Overall: Jameson Cold Brew is an aromatic and bold drink that adapts well to different drinking styles depending on your taste and mood. I personally enjoyed it with a single large ice cube, but it also works great neat or in cocktails. It’s especially promising for use in classic cocktail recipes, where it can bring out unique and unexpected flavor combinations.