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Jameson 18 Year Old

Oh, February 11th...

0 694

@talexanderReview by @talexander

11th Feb 2012

0

Jameson 18 Year Old
  • Nose
    23
  • Taste
    23
  • Finish
    24
  • Balance
    24
  • Overall
    94

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Distribution of ratings for this: brand user

To mark today's date (which has a private wistfulness for me), I decided to splurge on this bottle and give it a try. Not being a big Jameson fan, it was a bit of a risk, but well worth it.

As you would expect, the colour is much darker, like a deep liquid gold, very rich. Fairly runny legs in the glass, which I suppose befits a 40% ABV triple-distilled liquid?

It is a light nose, almost bourbon-y with vanilla and honey, and some malt in the background - somewhat damp and a little rubbery somehow. Water brings out some caramel, which adds to the bourbon comparison.

But the taste is definitely deeper than the nose - you can taste those 18 years in the oak, it's very rich. Again, it is reminiscent of bourbon with vanilla, nutmeg and honey, yet still very clean (again, that sharp triple distillation). Water brings out not only caramel but also butter - almost thickening it rather than thinning it out.

The finish is just right - not too long, very clean and crisp. Scrumptious! This is perfectly balanced, all the sherry, oak and barley plays very nicely together in the mouth. An excellent Irish whisky (likely the best I've had, edging out my previous favourite Black Bush). If this matters to you, this is the same bottle code as what Jim Murray tasted (JJ18-8) and gave a score of 91.

As I mentioned, I've never been a fan of Jameson but that opinion was based only on the standard expression - this is much richer but has much of the same crispness. I also have a bottle of the Rare Vintage Reserve, but I shall save that for another occasion!

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6 comments

@paddockjudge
paddockjudge commented

talexander, you've convinced me to give this a try. I enjoy Middleton offerings, but was hesitant to pony up the asking price for this one. It must be worth the investment if you rate it 94, wasn't it you that tagged Gibson's 12 yr old with a "40?"

Éirinn go brách

12 years ago 0

@talexander
talexander commented

Probably! I didn't like the Gibson's 12. Apparently the Gibson's 18 is far better but I can't find it here in Ontario (which is strange...)

After I wrote this Jameson review, I had another dram and found the wood notes becoming more pronounced and even a little overpowering - so in hindsight I might drop one or two points off - but regardless, this is an excellent Irish whisky (though yes the price is a little high.)

T

12 years ago 0

@Pudge72
Pudge72 commented

As I posted on another Jamesons 18 review (sorry 'talexander', your review did not pop up when I clicked to view the bottle detail screen), I got a very different profile off of my sample.

Have you tried a dram since this review? I ask because my sample was at a bar, so I will assume the bottle had been open awhile. I got strong citrus notes at first. These gradually shifted to primarily tropical (sweeter, less tart) fruits with fudge in the background. It was awesome!

12 years ago 0

@talexander
talexander commented

Interesting - I will try another dram soon then, thanks for mentioning!

12 years ago 0

@GregLogan
GregLogan commented

I was quite impressed with J18 - MUCH smoother than the RedBreast. I will be opening a bottle of BM16 next to see if the price difference is really worth it. $90 seems a bit steep - $60 would have me buying it all day.

The negative on Irish whiskies is that they, like bourbon, as opposed to scotch, all have essentially the same general taste profile - some are simply better than others (I do love the BM21!! - and of course the Middleton Very Rare is just that indeed!).

10 years ago 0

@talexander
talexander commented

I just picked up today the Midleton Very Rare 2013 - will open it on St Paddy's Day!

10 years ago 0