I like Jameson. 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. The Jameson Black Barrel is fantastic stuff. It’s not quite as monumental as the Barry Crockett Legacy, but it’s working it’s way up there and as far as blended Irish whiskey goes it just might be my favorite, readily accessible, blend on the market.
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. 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. 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.
Jameson Black Barrel Review
ABV: 40%
Age: NAS
Price: $60*
Distiller: Midleton
EYE
Golden straw
NOSE
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. There is a hint of wood and some coppery undertones from the single pot still. From the nose alone it’s easy to tell that there’s a good amount of single pot still in this whiskey.
PALATE
Caramel, toffee, malt and a pronounced fruit work their way across the palate. 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. Like on the nose some coppery notes come through and it’s easy to taste that wonderful single pot still character.
FINISH
Big malty ending mixed with fruit and wood that goes on and on.
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Good balance with a full body and a soft creamy texture.
OVERALL
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. I can honestly say that I have finally found MY Jameson. The one that I’ll be stocking in my home bar. From the rich malty caramel nose to the creamy palate and malty finish it’s just plain delicious.
SCORE: 91/100