Jura Travel Retail @TweetTastings

Earlier in the year I was lucky enough to take part in a @TweetTasting of @JuraWhisky's newly relaunched range - and I really liked them! Steve then went and arranged a tasting of their new Global Travel Retail (GTR) range so I knew I had to take part!

It's a range of five sherried whiskies called The Jura Sherry Cask Collection, using slightly peated spirit they've been matured in ex-Bourbon barrels before being finished in PX casks which have held sherry for different lengths of time. They are all named after features on Jura near the distillery.

The new range consists of:

• The Sound - 42.5% NAS finished in casks previously containing 15yo PX
• The Road - 43.6% NAS finished in casks previously containing 20yo PX
• The Bay - 44% NAS finished in casks previously containing 15yo PX
• The Loch - 44.5% NAS finished in casks previously containing 30yo PX
• The Paps - 45.6% 19yo finished in casks previously containing 40yo PX

As usual with these things a parcel arrived a few days before the tasting.

First up the The Sound NAS @ 42.5%

Jura's thoughts: The sound of Jura’s northern strait is home to the Gulf of Corryvreckan: a notorious whirlpool lying in wait for the unwary. The gift carton showcases this body of water and brings to life the Islands elemental palette. Colour: Antique gold, Nose: Aromas of roasted hazelnuts, orange and maple syrup, Taste: Caramel fudge, black forest fruits and milk chocolate

My thoughts: Lovely gold colour on The Sound gravity defying swirls lead to slow fat legs, initial nose fruit and nut chocolate?

Nose: There a big orange oil note here alongside some fruit and nut milk chocolate.Hints of strawberry jam and a little light smoke. As it develops in the glass a little rum and raisin ice cream develops.

Palate: Spicy youthful spirit initially, cinnamon and ginger but then does what it says on the nose! Orange marmalade, milk chocolate and walnuts wrapped up in the lovely smoke note.

Finish: Short spicy finish with a dryness. There is still a hint of smoke.

Other tweeters' thoughts:

 

 

Next up was the The Bay NAS @ 44%

Jura's thoughts: Sheltered by a string of islands, the bay is where the islanders meet the sea. White sands in the north, the jetty overlooked by the distillery in the south, life around the bay is marked by the coming and going of the tides. Our beautiful bay can be seen on the front of the gift carton. Colour: Copper gold, Nose: Toffee apple, Taste: Raisins, fig, ginger spice and soft liquorice

My thoughts: Slight reddy gold colour, swirls again leave a thin line on the glass leading to thick slow legs. Initial nose pineapple and banana.

Nose: Very tropical, loads of fruit (pineapple, banana, orange) mixed with milk chocolate. Hint of Jamaican Ginger cake develop.

Palate: Huge kick of ginger spice to start with, very sweet delivery of honey, brown sugar and orange juice, as soon as it's off the tongue the ginger spice comes back with a hint of smoke. Nice - reminds me a little of the old Prophecy which I really loved - is there some peat in here? Bitter Dark Chocolate with orange oil - young spirit interacting with the oak?

Finish: Long smoky spice finish that just seems to go on forever! There is a youthfulness to the dram but the smoke is wrapping it all up nicely. Loving this!

Other tweeters' thoughts:

Third of the evening was the The Road NAS @ 43.6%

Jura's thoughts: On Jura, there is only one road to navigate by. Emerging out of the wilderness, the long, overgrown trail traces the shoreline heading south and leading to the Distillery. This winding island road features on the gift carton. Colour: Autumn gold, Nose: Aromas of fresh apricots, bergamot and molasses, Taste: Rich coffee, toasted pistachios and cinnamon

My thoughts: Slight reddy tinge to the gold, more gravity defying swirls, slow fat legs. Initial nose run and raisin ice-cream?

Nose: Loads of dark fruit: plums, figs, prunes, dates with that lovely milk chocolate note again - seems to be a bit of a recurring theme! Really opening up over time - some orchard fruit and brown sugar here too!

Palate: Another youthful spice kick on this one then a smooth creamy milky chocolate note, a little icing sugar and very drying. There's a little bit of smoke here but not as much as The Bay.

Finish: Long smoky spice finish again with a youthfulness which the smoke is wrapping it all up nicely. Hints of dark fruit from the palate follow on to the finish.

Other tweeters' thoughts:

Next up the The Loch NAS @ 44.5%

Jura's thoughts: Market Loch, found 1000ft above sea level, its importance to our Distillery cannot be understated. A serene and almost spiritual place; these pure waters bring our whisky to life. Photographed in spring and showcased on our gift carton. Colour: Mahogany gold, Nose: Aromas of treacle cake, baked apple and praline, Taste:Black coffee, tropical fruit salad and cracked pepper.

My thoughts: Lovely dram gold colour, more clingy swirls with slow thick legs. Initial nose warm brown sugar.

Nose: Lots of sherry influence - strawberry jam and brown sugar, seems to be a little bit of smoke there again too which is nice. There's the signature milk chocolate and some gentle spices.

Palate: Again a big spicy kick to start, then a smooth flow of spiced honey  over your tongue.  There's a little orchard fruit and warm fudge. There's also a lovely orange oil note.

Finish: Not as long as the others but nice and warming - a gentle smoke and ginger spice kick. Nice!

Other tweeters' thoughts:

 

Final dram of the evening was the The Paps 19yo @ 45.6%

Jura's thoughts: At journey’s end in the heart of our island, you’ll find them: The Sacred Mountain, The Mountain of the Sound and The Mountain of Gold. These are The Paps of Jura which tower over the landscape for miles around, commanding respect from islander and traveller alike. Colour: Deep mahogany gold, Nose: Powerful aromas of ginger cake, vanilla and balsamic, Taste: Spiced pear, fig syrup and roasted walnut.

My thoughts: Dark gold dram. More gravity defying swirls, initial nose dunnage warehouse....

Nose: Lots of dark fruit and ginger spice here - reminiscent of a dunnage warehouse. Dates, figs, plums, cherries again wrapped in a blanket of mild smoke (wish there was a little more!)

Palate: Loads of treacle, brown sugar, sour cherries and a bitter chocolate note - this is really nice. There is a a big kick of ginger spice and again that gentle blanket of smoke, there's also a balsamic vinegar note as the whisky opens.

Finish: Long smoky finish, the best of the 5 we tried tonight. There's a good pit of ginger spice there too - a perfect Christmas dram - Top Dram!

Other tweeters' thoughts:

Overall: a lovely set of drams, if you're visiting the distillery or travelling internationally I'd recommend your pick one up - the standout for me was The Paps.

A nice set of drams! Many thanks to @JuraWhisky for the drams, @TheWhiskyWire for organising and my fellow tweeters for a great evening of whisky tasting!