The Best Jameson Whiskeys

Released in 2016, the Jameson Deconstructed Series explores different aspects of the production process and examines their contribution to the overall flavor in the core range. Brian Nation, Jameson's Master Distiller, has "deconstructed" the taste of Jameson into three main components: Bold, Lively, and Round and selected vattings to emphasize each of these aspects of the whiskey. Jameson Lively emphasizes the contribution of grain whiskey to Jameson's characteristic taste. Triple distilled it's bottled at 40% ABV. Note: This is a Global Travel Retail exclusive.

This IPA Caskmates is the second edition of this line of whiskeys aged in former beer casks. This one features an Irish India pale ale from Franciscan Well Brewery in Cork, Ireland. The brewery ages their beer in former Jameson whiskey casks then sends these barrels back to Jameson. These beer barrels are used to finish aging the whiskey. The initial release included 2000 bottles in Ireland, but now a larger rollout has followed with a nationwide US release in late 2017. Update: In 2019, the brewery used is Eight Degrees Brewing. Check the back of the bottle find info.

This Irish whiskey is a blend of 12-year pot-still whiskey and 5-year grain whiskey. It's aged in extra-charred bourbon barrels and non-chill filtered. This Jameson expression is also believed to be the international version of their Select Reserve Black Barrel, which is only available in the US.

Jameson Caskmates is a collaboration between the distillery and nearby brewery Franciscan Well. Brewmaster Shane Long asked to borrow some used Jameson casks to use for stout aging. When the casks were returned, they were refilled with cask strength blended Jameson and aged for about 6 months. 3,500 bottles were produced. Update: In 2019, the brewery used is Eight Degrees Brewing. Check the back of the bottle find info.

Jameson Black Barrel is a whiskey comprised of (a high proportion of) single pot still and grain whiskey aged first in a mix of ex-sherry and ex-bourbon. The whiskey is then aged in extra charred ex-bourbon barrels, hence the name. The age of the whiskey ranges from 8-16 years of age.

Gold Reserve is comprised of three different pot still whiskeys and one grain whiskey. Of the pot still whiskeys, one is aged in virgin American oak for 8-10 years, one in ex-bourbon for 10-20 years, and one in ex-sherry for 10-12 years. The grain whiskey component is aged mainly in ex-bourbon with some virgin American oak in play.

Jameson 12 Year is a blended whiskey with a significant portion of the mash comprised of pure pot still and is aged in a combination of ex-bourbon and ex-Sherry casks. This bottling was formally known as "1780", the year the original Jameson Distillery was founded in Dublin on Bow Street. Though the youngest whiskey in the bottle is 12 years, the eldest is 17 years old.

Distilled at Midleton Distillery, the Jameson Crested Ten is the first whiskey bottled by Bow Street Distillery. It's a blend of pot still and grain whiskeys, aged in ex-bourbon barrels and sherry butts. Although it's named Crested Ten, this Irish whiskey bears no age statement. Note: This is not currently available in the US.

The Whiskey Makers Series from Jameson features three distinct expressions that highlight a component of the whisky-making process. The Cooper's Croze is the first US release in the range and debuted in August 2016. It was developed by Ger Buckley, the company's 5th generation Head Cooper, and named after his favorite tool, the "croze," which is used to create the groove at the end of the barrel to secure the head. Featuring virgin American oak, seasoned bourbon, and Iberian sherry barrels, this expression is without a stated age.

The trend of no-age-statement releases continues with this Irish whiskey expression from Pernod Ricard subsidiary, Irish Distillers. Released in April 2016, Jameson Crested is a triple-distilled blend of pot-still (malted and unmalted barley) and grain whiskey. A high proportion of the blend has maturated in sherry casks, with the rest in ex-bourbon barrels. It is bottled at 40% ABV.