Jameson Irish Whiskey was originally distilled at the Bow Street distillery, which is now a visitor’s centre in Dublin, but in 1975 the 195 year old tradition came to an end and the production was moved to the New Midleton distillery in County Cork. The New Midleton distillery was built by the Irish Distillers Group right next to the Old Midleton distillery which now serves as a museum. The New Midleton Distillery produces whiskey for four different brands; Paddy, Powers Gold Label, Midleton and Jameson.

Before the name change to Jameson 12 Years Old, the whiskey was known as "1780" which is the year the Old Jameson Distillery was founded. Jameson 12 Year Old is triple-distilled in pot-stills and aged for a minimum of 12 years in Bourbon and Oloroso sherry casks.

Jameson 12 Years Old, like all Jameson bottles, is made of green glass and bears the Jameson family Crest on the label. The minimum age and the year the distillery was founded are clearly stated on the labels and on the luxurious looking cylinder the bottle is packed in. The overall presentation of this bottle strikes me as very elegant and refined.

In my previous Jameson whiskey review I questioned the mysterious code "JQ-058548" found on the bottle which, according to a contact of one of our forum members, is completely meaningless and merely there for design purposes. Personally I find this information somewhat disappointing as I was expecting a more meaningful reason the code was put on the bottle. The now unmysterious code is not found anywhere on the Jameson 12 Year Old bottle.

Appearance

The appearance of this 12 year old Irish whiskey is pure golden brown in colour and the legs are thin and drippy not leaving much alcohol residue on the surface of the glass.

Nose

There is no mistake about the complexity of the nose of this whiskey. There is a certain tone of earthiness to it and buried beneath the smoothness and warmness is honey and sweet caramel.

Taste

Distinguished flavour of decisive oak is followed by a flash of vanilla that is blanketed by a flavour that I can only describe as fresh berries.

Aftertaste

The finish of Jameson 12 Years Old is pleasantly buttery, has some vanilla and coffee but isn't very long. The buttery flavour outlasts the other flavours.

Final thoughts

Jameson 12 Years Old is remarkably complex and wonderful whiskey from Ireland characterised by excellent quality, a spirit I can wholeheartedly recommend to those of you who have not had the pleasure to enjoy this whiskey yet.

Country: Ireland 

Aged: 12 Years

www.jameson.ie

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