Whiskey Spotlight #1 - Jameson

This might look familiar...

Introduction

Of all Irish whiskies, Jameson perhaps needs least introduction. Roughly 11 million cases of Jameson is sold each year. As each case holds 9 litres of Jameson, that’s almost 100 million litres of Jameson is sold annually which makes it the third most-sold whiskey in the world. That’s a lot.

Who makes it?

Currently, Irish Distillers in Midleton, county Cork, produces Jameson. That wasn’t always the case. Jameson was initially distilled on Bow Street in Dublin’s Smithfield. Today, there is a tour and a shop on the site, but distillation moved south back in the 1960s when Jameson, at that point an independent family company, merged with the Powers family and the Cork Distillery Company to form Irish Distillers.

Irish Distillers have a huge portfolio of whiskeys in addition to Jameson such as Powers, Paddy, Redbreast, the Spot range, Midleton Very Rare, and many others.

What type of whiskey is it?

Bottled at 40% and with a recommended retail price of €32.50, Jameson Irish Whiskey is a blend of pot still and grain whiskies. Jameson is triple-distilled and, though it doesn’t carry an age statement, we understand it’s aged for at least four years.

What’s the flavour profile?

According to the official tasting notes, Jameson is light and smooth with a floral fragrance with spicy wood and sweet notes.

Why should you drink it?

You probably already have done – it’s a very popular whiskey. However, many tasted it first when they were young or as a late-night shot. This whiskey is worth re-visiting then; it’s a good whiskey and popular for a reason.

If straight whiskey isn’t your thing, Jameson works well when mixed with soda water or ginger ale, either option with lots of ice as a refreshing mixer.

If you haven’t tried it, do so. 100 million litres per year can’t be wrong.