Review | Jameson Remixed - Caribbean Beats 21 years old

This whiskey is the second addition to The Jameson Anthology series. The Jameson Anthology is designed to show new whiskeys down one of two tracks - Remastered will be old classic expressions reinvented, while Remixed will have a more innovative and experimental edge. The first bottling, released in early 2022, sat within Remastered - the Jameson 15 years old Single Pot Still. This expression last in the Jameson's range in 2000. 

Now the inaugural Remixed bottling has been launched to join it - the Jameson Caribbean Beats 21 years old. This unique expression of Jameson has been fully matured in ex-rum casks for 21 years - the first 18 years were in American oak ex-FourSquare rum barrels from Barbados, followed by a three year finishing period in ex-Havana Club Selección de Maestros rum casks from Cuba. 

Review / Jura Rum Cask Finish

This single malt whisky is the third bottling in the Cask Editions series from the Hedbridean island distillery of Jura. The Jura Rum Cask Finish has been created by Gregg Glass, the Whisky Maker & Blender at brand owner Whyte & Mackay, and has seen the spirit first matured in American white oak ex-bourbon casks before being transferred to ex-Caribbean rum casks for a finishing period. It is presented with tropical themed packaging to reflect the cask influence. The Jura Rum Cask Finish is bottled at 40% ABV and will initially be exclusively available in a one litre format in UK supermarkets. The price will be £45. A 70cl bottle will also be released to other markets later in 2021.

 

Review - Tullamore DEW XO Caribbean Rum Cask Finish

Introduction by Matt Chambers. Tasting notes & thoughts by Tobias Gorn.

The Irish whiskey brand of Tullamore DEW has launched a new expression of its popular blend - the Tullamore DEW XO Caribbean Rum Cask Finish. The new variant takes the regular Tullamore DEW blend, which is triple distilled and uses three styles of Irish whiskey (grain, malt and pot still), and gives it a finishing period in first-fill ex-demerara rum casks sourced from the Caribbean. The release is said to pay homage to the Irish immigrants that arrived in the Caribbean during the 17th century and helped the early development of rum distillation in the region.

New releases - Glenfiddich 21 years old 'Gran Reserva'

The world famous Glenfiddich distillery have re-launched the 21 years old expression in to their core single malt range.  The liquid remains the same as in the previous release - this has been matured in a complex combination of first and second fill ex-bourbon casks, plus a small amount of ex-sherry cask matured whisky.  These are 'married' together before being transferred for a short maturation in ex-Caribbean rum casks. It is bottled at 40% ABV and should cost around £99.

The re-vamp includes both a new name, bottle shape and box.  This 21 years old is now named Gran Reserva and is released in the bottle used for their premium and limited edition whiskies.  This bottle is a broader, thicker version of the classic three-sided bottle used for the younger expressions in the core range (eg, the 12, 15 and 18 year age statements).  The packaging has been taken to a different level, with the old tube replaced by a sturdy presentation box containing an information booklet.

As mentioned, Glenfiddich is the most famous whisky distillery and single malt brand in the world. It sells the most Scotch single malt of anyone, and by a mile. The distillery is located on the outskirts of the town of Dufftown in the Speyside region of Scotland. The name is taken from the Glen Fiddich, the valley in which it lies and translates as 'valley of the deer' from Gaelic.

The distillery is massive and has a capacity of 10 million litres per year, making it Scotland's largest distillery. Glenfiddich is almost unique in the Scotttish whisky industry as it is still a family owned business. The distillery is owned by the same family that established it - William Grant began construction of Glenfiddich distillery in 1886 and William Grant & Sons was formed in 1903.

Our tasting notes
The colour is an orange amber and the nose is rich and sweet. There are heavy sugary aromas to begin with and these are reminiscent of toffee and caramel.  Then some sweet vanilla aromas come through, as do those of dried fruits (especially sultanas and figs), a hint of tangy candied orange peel and some lovely tropical fruit notes - there is a definite ripe banana note and a whiff of mango.

On the palate, this whisky feels creamy, rich and luxurious with a lovely sweetness that coats the mouth.  Again this sweetness is driven by the notes of toffee and caramel, plus some crumbly brown sugar.  This is complimented by some exaggerated vanilla, which adds to the creaminess.  The combination is reminiscent of a good crème brûlée.  As with the nose, there are other elements which add depth and complexity to the flavour profile - tangy bittersweet orange zest (this gives the whisky as vibrant, fresh lift and stops it being too sweet and cloying), dried sultanas and figs, plus a subtle pinch of cinnamon and nutmeg.  The addition of water makes it even softer and creamier with the sugary notes seemingly even sweeter.

The finish is of decent length and has lovely notes of burnt sugar and toffee, which combine well with the bittersweet orange and sweet vanilla notes.  The dried fruitiness is also there and as the flavours of the whisky fade, a distinct drying wood spice rounds things off.

What's the verdict?
This new version of the Glenfiddich 21 years old oozes class and is a delicious single malt.  There is no getting away from the fact that it is sweet but complex combination of casks works well and creates a whisky that has plenty of depth and interest beyond that.  The extra sweetness beefs up the classic subtle, soft characteristics of the younger Glenfiddichs and the final result is excellent.  Our only gripe is that the price is maybe a few pounds too high ... but only a few.

Have just tried > St. George's Chapter 7 Rum Cask

St. George's is the first whisky distillery to be built and produce whisky in England for almost 200 years. The distillery is located close to the town of Roudham in Norfolk and about 2 hours north east of London. The distillery is operated by The English Whisky Company, which was founded in 2005 by Andrew and James Nelstrop. The construction of the new facilities began shortly afterwards and the first spirit came off the stills in November 2006. The St. George's spirit is made from barley which is locally grown in Norfolk and they are currently producing and maturing whisky in peated and unpeated styles.

This Chapter 7 whisky is made using unpeated malted barley and is released at three years of age. It has been finished for the final year in an ex-rum cask, after spending the first two years in ex-bourbon casks, and all future releases using this cask combination will also carry the Chapter 7 name. This first limited batch of just 660 bottles was released during in late Summer 2010 and has an alcoholic strength of 46% ABV. We thank David Fitt, the Chief Distiller at St. George’s for giving us this sample and for his time spent talking with us.

The other 'chapters' in the series are made up of new make spirit or partially aged spirit up to the age of three years (this is not legally allowed to be called 'whisky'), plus a number of three year old single malt whiskies that have been matured in various casks. Confused? We have listed each Chapter below to help, with links to the ones we have reviewed. The plan is to expand the range further as and when more stock reaches a suitable length of maturation. A bottle of Chapter 7 should cost £50-55, if you can still find one!

Definition of the St.George's Chapter series
Chapter 1 > Unpeated new make spirit
Chapter 2 > Peated new make spirit
Chapter 3 > Unpeated spirit matured for 18 months
Chapter 4 > Peated spirit matured for 18 months
Chapter 5 > First edition of three years old single malt
Chapter 6 > Unpeated three years old single malt
Chapter 7 > Unpeated three years old single malt with rum finish
Chapter 8 > First edition peated three years old single malt
Chapter 9 > Peated three years old single malt
Chapter 10 > Unpeated three years old single malt, sherry cask

Our tasting notes
The colour of this Chapter 7 is pale, almost lemon yellow. The nose is fresh, vibrant and youthful with an initial hit of tangy, sweet aromas - think of fresh green pears and apples, lemon zest and sugar cane. These are joined by notes of distinct cereal grain, something herbal (think of dried grass or hay) and a sawdust-like oakiness. Some white pepper spiciness and a hint of bitter cocoa powder compliment the other aromas very well. This is a very promising nose. On the palate, this whisky does not disappoint and is again light, fresh and vibrant. The obvious sweetness is prominent and driven by notes of fresh green pears and apples, icing sugar, honey and white chocolate. Other notes add balance - tangy lemon zest, cereal grains, oak, dried grasses and a white pepper spiciness that burns away in the background. The finish is short but is lovely, fresh and tangy. Again there is initial and intense sweetness, which has a mix of sugar cane syrup and sherbet to it. It then becomes dry and grassy right at the very end, which leaves your mouth watering and wanting more!

What's the verdict?
This is one of the best and most sympathetic uses of a rum cask that we have experienced in a whisky to date. The rum influence compliments the other characteristics and quality of the spirit, bringing a wonderful vibrancy and freshness. It makes you wonder - if The English Whisky Company's whiskies are this good now, then what will they be like with further time, maturation and experimentation? Chapter 7 is an excellent dram.

Please note > the photograph above is taken from www.englishwhisky.co.uk.