Jameson Black Barrel
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.
Tasting Notes
Nose
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.
Palate
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
Marcel 70/100
The Jameson Black Barrel is a pleasant companion for cozy evenings, scoring points with its mild sweetness and smooth character. While it lacks that final kick of depth and complexity, it’s a charming dram especially suited for beginners or fans of lighter whiskeys. An uncomplicated, malty Irish whiskey that’s enjoyable without demanding too much.
Sascha 72/100
With the Jameson Black Barrel, Midleton delivers a well-balanced Irish whiskey that introduces finely spiced toast and vanilla notes thanks to its double-charred barrels. Although the structure is clean and the flavors harmonious, the finish feels somewhat short and lacks intensity. Overall, it’s a technically solid but not very complex blend, distinguished primarily by its approachability.
Value for Money: Fair
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68/100Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the double-charred barrels in Jameson Black Barrel special?
The double-charred barrels impart more intense roasted aromas and a deeper vanilla and caramel note compared to classic Jameson. The second charring activates the wood more strongly, giving the whiskey added complexity and spiciness.
How does Jameson Black Barrel differ in taste from classic Jameson?
Jameson Black Barrel presents a bolder flavor profile with pronounced notes of toasted bread, brown sugar, and caramel. While classic Jameson is softer and milder, the Black Barrel’s barrel treatment adds more spice, subtle bitter almond and coffee notes, as well as a delicate tropical fruit sweetness.
Why does Jameson Black Barrel have no age statement (No Age Statement)?
Jameson Black Barrel is a blended Irish whiskey combining whiskeys of different ages. The distillery focuses on achieving a consistent flavor profile through careful marrying and barrel selection, which is why it forgoes an age statement.