Isle Of Jura » Liquorature

Isle Of Jura 18 y.o. Review

Jul 152012

Isle Of Jura 18 y.o.

40% abv

Score: 82/100

So…this kid and Jura? We’re not the best of friends. Don’t mind it. Don’t love it. Until the Prophecy came along I was a little indifferent to be honest. Indifferent or underwhelmed. Te entire lure of Jura for me is the mystique associated with the island’s history and geography. The true heartbreak in my relationship with Jura is that last year’s pond-hopping took me to Islay, but didn’t give me quite enough time to get across to Jura. Next time, suppose.

Jura 18. Hm. 18 years is just hitting a sweet spot in terms of maturation. From here till about…oh…30 or so has a nifty little flavor profile that you can tack on to almost any malt and see certain characteristics revealed (a waxy, rubbery, dusty, oaky influence from the cask that is bloody sexy). Indeed we do see a little of that in the Jura 18, but not quite enough to mask the youthful dry nuttiness I just can’t seem to evade with Jura malts.

Having said that…there is ample charm here to make this a rewarding dram. And one well worth the ridiculously low price point. Problem being…I believe this one is no longer in production.

Onwards…

Bourbon rides hard on the nose. There is a mild perfumed waxiness (almost like a snuffed scented candle) and warm broken leather up front. Dry nut and a little too much oak, then into an oddly forced spiciness (hard to describe, but doesn’t seem to flow naturally). Toffee….some candied nuts…and finally the fruits arrive with a late fanfare.

The delivery is oaky. Very oaky. Almond (that dry nuttiness) and a hint of white pepper appear. This one is slightly tannic, likely a result of the Oloroso influence. All followed by a nice pleasant fade of ebbing oak and spiced apple pie.

Less fruity than I imagined it would be, but hey…that’s my preconception failing me.

All in…not a bad drink at all. Hm…could I slowly be coming ’round to Jura?

Next up…Isle Of Jura Superstition.

- Reviewed by: Curt

- Photo: Curt

Isle Of Jura Prophecy Review

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May 022012

Isle Of Jura Prophecy

46% abv

Score: 88.5/100

Here it is. Finally. A Jura I can really sink my teeth into. Prophecy is a small batch release (10,000 bottles, I am led to believe) of ‘profoundly peated’ no-age-statement Jura single malt. Why do I like this? Is it because I am a peatophile and this is like chewing a brick of the stuff? No. (Well…maybe a little). Actually…it is simply because it is bloody good stuff.

This is a surprisingly Islay-ish non-Islay malt. Yass…yass…I know. Jura is just a wee swim across the sound from Islay. Hardly world’s away in terms of terroir. Or is it? You’d be surprised. Homework, boys and girls. Go now. I’ll wait.

To be completely honest this is really only a note or two off from being something Jim McEwan is rolling off the stills at Bruichladdich. The Prophecy is the closest you’ll come to Port Charlotte without buying Port Charlotte.

The nose is a bold assortment of aggressive scents. Creamy peat reek…dirty logs…heavy smoke and tar…hard spice and licorice…a touch of chili chocolate…very dry fruit…salt and citrus…malt and butter. A wee bit of caramel to buffer the harder edges. Caramel the flavor, not caramel the color, y’anti-E150a crusaders (another time…another place).

First sips provide the enormous delivery you’d expect from a whisky with an olfactory profile such as I just spoke of. Heavy smoke and peat on arrival. The smoke is decidedly meaty and carries a dried fruit compote as counterpart. Smoked caramel next and on into salt and ash. This is sassy…young and dirty. The finish is all smoke and licorice. Well…perhaps a little sherry-logged oak lingering.

Helluva drink. Hats off to Mr. Paterson and the lads and lasses at Jura. Thank you.

- Reviewed by: Curt

- Photo: Curt