Jameson Caskmates IPA Edition

I bought my bottle within the last year, so according to the site this expression features whiskey aged in barrels used by Eight Degrees Brewing. If you've had this prior to 2019, they were using barrels from a different brewery. Let's get into it. Nose: Hoppy. Really hoppy. I'm surprised at how strongly that influence comes through. Fruit and citrus. Grapefruit, orange, lemon, apple, pear. Pine and oak notes. I get a bit of vanilla, honey, and toffee in the background. Besides that, it noses more like an IPA than an Irish whiskey. I happen to be a fan of IPAs, so I don't mind that one bit. Palate: Not quite as hoppy as the nose suggests, but it's still evident. More grapefruit, orange, apple, and pear. Now there's some lime and cucumber, and an even an agave note. Vanilla, caramel, toffee, and honey remind me that I'm drinking a whiskey. Cinnamon and oak. Not as bold as the nose, but it's got depth and the quality is there. Finish: Fruit: grapefruit, apple, and pear. Very drying. Caramel, vanilla, and oak. It's on the short side, as expected at 40% ABV. It's the only thing holding this one back. Without considering the finish, this one is an easy 4 stars. Unfortunately, I've got to dock it a bit for the uneventful finish. The nose and the palate are great if you're looking for a change of pace. Even at a reasonable 43% ABV, Jameson would have a truly special product on its hands. That aside, this a really enjoyable whiskey. I'm a fan of both Irish whiskey and IPA beers. This one definitely appeals to my preference for the latter. There are very few identifiable traditional Irish whiskey notes. Yet, it plays its part extremely well and presents a bold fusion of two of my favorite alcohol categories. Though I would strongly advise Middleton to up the ABV, I can recommend this one as it is.

Honey, Hops, Oak, Light Fruit