Jameson Black Barrel

Delicate, Juicy, Oak, Vanilla
2023-10-15

The Midleton Distillery markets its most popular product under the name Jameson, a blended Irish whiskey that enjoys great popularity due to its quality and high demand. This unique whiskey is created by skillfully marrying a Single Pot Still whiskey (which also serves as the foundation for Redbreast whiskeys) and a Single Grain Irish whiskey. Over the years, Jameson has continually adjusted and expanded its range. Today, let's take a look at Jameson Black Barrel. The distinct difference from classic Jameson lies in its maturation in double-charred barrels.

Smell

At first, this Irish whiskey presents itself as expected - smooth and grainy. Sweet notes of brown sugar and a hint of chocolate emerge. These are joined by spicy, lightly toasted toast, a touch of peanuts, and delicate wild honey. A subtle, hard-to-define fruity sweetness rounds out the flavor profile.

Taste

On the palate, Jameson Black Barrel also reveals its buttery side. There is no unpleasant sharpness, despite its likely low age. Primary flavors are sweet notes of toast, vanilla, caramel, and brown sugar. A subtle, almost tropical fruit note is also to be discovered. Overall, the whiskey resembles a "Lippische Strohsemmel" (a regional speciality in our area) with maple syrup.

Finish

The finish is short and flat. It starts with gentle oak notes, complemented by slight hints of bitter almonds for a subtle bitterness. Finally, it ends with minimal coffee bean accents that add a touch of coffee to the finish.

Thoughts

With Black Barrel, Midleton offers an interesting alternative to classic Jameson. It is certainly delicious, uncomplicated, and easily accessible. However, experienced whiskey connoisseurs might find it lacking in flavor intensity and refinement. It remains true to its character as a soft and almost harmless Irish whiskey. In short, it is a tasty, mild, and malty substitute for bourbon.

Rating: 71/100 - Very Good (Marcel: 70 | Sascha: 72)

Value for Money: 3/5 - Acceptable

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Preview Image Source: The Whisky Exchange