It’s no secret that I’m not the greatest fan of Jura whisky. I keep being disappointed again and again, and that’s a shame, as it’s not really the spirit’s fault. At first, I thought it was just the Jura distillate I didn’t like, which is OK, but then I tasted an older style Jura, bottled in the early 1980s, the 8 year old was distlled in the 70s, and it was not bad at all.
Photo Credit: scottishdelight.com
No, it’s something in the style of blending and coloring of the newer styled whiskys that don’t do it for me, and given my experience with Dalmore, I’m not surprised.
So this expression is the yield of three first fill ex bourbon casks sitting for about 33 years, after which they were combined into a ruby port pipe. Why the finish, you ask? I’m glad you asked, as I have a theroy. This expression is extremely woody, to the point of being almost unpalatable, and the port sweetness makes it quite drinkable.
Photo Credit: Jura Distillery
Jura 1977 “Juar’, 498 bottles (46% ABV)
Appearance: Amber, this legs disappearing relatively quickly.
Nose: Lactic vanilla, honey, fruity port notes with red berries and over ripe citrus.
Palate: heavy wood impact, wood spice, ginger and quite bit of bitterness.
Linger: Here’s where this expression shines with tangerine, quamquat, light spice, oak and cranberry.
Conclusion
The port was a good choice to cover up the wood that was almost overwhelming. It adds a very fruity layer to the whisky, making it interesting, despite a strong lactic note.
The problem, of course, is the £750 price tag on it…..
Jura was one of my favorites back in the 90s early 2000s. They had a 10 year old that superb. It was very salty and very affordable. I preferred it to their 30 year old at the time. I had their latest 10 year old and didn’t like it. But I did like the new “Superstition”, it was much spicier than other Juras I’ve had.
I have not had this one, and it is unlikely I will at that price.