Review #108 Type: single malt scotch Proof: 44% Comments: aged 18 years, American white oak ex-bourbon cask matured, red wine cask finished Tasted after: first up Appearance (no score): Auburn color. Swirling reveals a thick line sticking to the side of the glass, legs form moderately quickly. Nose: 17/20 Delicate and sweet, with sticky raisins, nutmeg, milk chocolate, orange peel, a drizzle of molasses, and a hint of char, more akin to a burned log than to actual smoke. Palate: 33/40 Unfortunately thin mouthfeel. The first sip is a burst of dark chocolate and black currants, though it feels a bit muted and suppressed. On subsequent sips there’s also notes of bitter coffee grounds, oak, baking spices, and dry wine tannins. Finish: 29/40 Medium finish. Oak spice is the dominant flavor throughout, though at the beginning it’s intermingled with some smooth and sweet caramel. This is replaced by light char note, then fresh espresso, and finally begins become increasingly dry, with the ending notes reminiscent of more wine tannins. With Water: A few drops of water completely changes this whisky. On the nose, the addition of juicy plumbs and strawberry yogurt. The biggest improvement comes on the palate, where the texture transitions from watery to almost silky. The the bitter, spicy, and dry components are more restrained, the dark chocolate and black currants from the first sip are back, now also accompanied by toffee and dark cherries. The finish has a puff of smoke integrated now and is much less dry, but unfortunately a bit shorter. Total: 79/100 Final thoughts: This is an easy sipper that I tend to always have a bottle of on-hand. And while this isn’t the first bottle I’ve enjoyed, it is the first time I’ve sat down and really tried to get to know it. It’s a smooth and not remarkably complex, but being able to pickup an 18 year old over 43% for under $85 isn’t super common these days. Just a little water is required to help it open up and reveal its full potential, and my scores are based off that enhanced profile versus prior to dilution. Overall I think this is a a unique and elegant expression that demonstrates Jura makes good whisky and is capable of releasing good product if they wanted to. Hopefully some day the team that decides what comes out of the casks and goes into the bottles starts to take themselves seriously. I’ve also had some wonderful indie Jura expressions, but this remains the only distillery bottling I’ve enjoyed to date. Price: $84 Would recommend: yes Would buy: yes Scoring Legend: 96-100: The perfect dram, absolutely exceptional, nectar of the gods, I will savor this bottle and make it last, 5 stars. 90-95: Near perfect, there is something truly special about this whisky, 4.75 stars. 85-89: Very good to amazing, almost the complete product, 4.5 stars. 80-84: Quite good, very enjoyable to drink, but doesn’t wow me, 4.25 stars. 75-79: Good, enjoyable but ultimately flawed, unlikely to purchase again, 4 stars. 70-74: A solid dram, but wouldn't go out of my way to get it, 3.75 stars. 55-69: Drinkable, 3.5-2.75 stars. Below 55: Suitable for cooking or direct contribution to the kitchen sink drain, 2.5 stars or less.