On my final journey to Scotland, I spent a number of days on the famed whisky island of Islay. The rugged, low slung Paps of Jura, on the close by island of Jura, had been typically simply within the distance as I distillery-hopped alongside the northern coast. I even bought as shut as Port Askaig the place a brief ferry journey would have deposited me on that solitary Scottish rock with one street, one pub, and one eponymous distillery.
I didn’t make it to Jura, however as a comfort prize I picked up a bottle of the distillery’s 21-year-old Time in Obligation Free on the way in which house. Time is the oldest age-stated expression in Jura’s Journey Retail lineup. An virtually identically packaged 21-year-old, dubbed Tide (considerably confusingly, as each phrases seem on the bottle), is extra broadly obtainable because the oldest age-stated providing within the core lineup. Manufacturing particulars are a bit sparse, however we’re informed this single malt is aged in American white oak ex-bourbon casks earlier than an unspecified ending interval in ex-peated malt casks. Let’s see how this memento tastes, lets?
The nostril is wealthy and earthy with notes of espresso cake, orange marmalade, toffee, and a lacing of delicate, creamy smoke. It’s a singular peat profile, not fairly pipe smoke, extra a drag off of a well-aged, gentle cigar. The palate is unusually recent and vibrant for such a mature single malt with notes of orange slices, tinned pears, and cocktail cherries. In reality, it’s one of many fruitier single malts I’ve come throughout however surprisingly not cloying, all that juicy sweetness balancing properly in opposition to a delicate wooden smoke that builds on the midpalate with notes of seasoned oak and toasted coconut earlier than a lightweight however lingering end of chocolate, toasted marshmallow, and darkish maple syrup. It’s elegant, distinctive, and really well-priced for the age assertion. A straightforward suggestion if you happen to plan to buy journey retail in your subsequent journey.
94.4 proof.
A- / $200
Jura Time 21 Years Outdated
$200
