Back when I lived in Kentucky, I had fond memories of Jameson during Saint Patrick’s day celebrations. It was smooth, caramel like, and viscous – almost oily. Jameson played some interesting roles in my life at that point, being shots for both celebrating getting a date with a girl I fancied, and also as book ends when I relocated my shoulder myself. So as we looked to stock our home bar, I couldn’t help wondering, is Jameson Irish Whiskey as good as I remember?
Jameson Irish Whiskey
Jameson Irish Whiskey is triple distilled of malt and grain using a pot still. It’s then aged in oak for a minimum of 4 years.
Sight: A moderate deep orange like gold.
Smell: A hint of ethanol laces with a touch of salinity and lightly caramelized sugar. Green apple skin and grain notes run through the background.
Sip: The palate is light to medium, but gets somewhat oily. There’s more burn that might be expected. There are notes of wood and salted caramel, mixing with touches of baked apple, vanilla, and acetate. There’s a touch of astringency to it.
Savor: The ending maintains a bit of astringency and light salinity. There are again bitter alcohol, caramelized sugar, and woodsy notes on the finish.
Jameson is merely acceptable, and I don’t think it’s worth going out of the way to look for. Perhaps it’s the nostalgia of the flavor of victory, but time and an evolving palate have led me to question the endearing love of Jameson shared by so many. Is it bad? No, certainly not, the flavor is a touch unrefined, but thankfully cheap.
Next year, I’ll buy a different Irish whiskey. Until then, please my Irish whiskey drinking friends, chime in with your favorite Irish whiskey.
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