Jameson Caskmates Irish Whiskey Review
Photo courtesy of Jameson.

Photo courtesy of Jameson.

Jameson Irish whiskey finished in stout barrels?  Now that’s an interesting idea.  After all, who hasn’t had a dram of Jameson and a pint of Guinness at a pub?  They go together like red beans and rice.

Used Jameson barrels were sent to nearby Franciscan Well Brewery to be filled with stout.  Once the stout was properly aged, the barrels were emptied and returned to Jameson, where they are filled with Jameson whiskey for a brief maturation.

Utilizing beer barrels to finish whiskey just feels right, as both drinks compliment each other so well.  After all, whiskey starts out life as a form of beer before its distilled.  Beer barrel finishing even works with brandy as is evidenced by American brandy distiller Copper & Kings’ recent Cr&ftwerk series.  You can find tasting notes for those releases here.

The nose isn’t full of stout character.  Instead it beautifully mingles together with the whiskey.  The slight pot-still character of Jameson is here, along with hops, honey and some spiced citrus.  A malty note mildly pops in with a little airtime in the glass.  The entry here is both spicy and malty.  Light toffee sweetness is tempered a little with the hoppiness of the stout cask finish.  Citrus peel leads us to a long, spicy and bittersweet (hops and dark chocolate) finish.

Caskmates is an interesting expression from Jameson, and I think you’ll feel the same way after tasting.  Even if you don’t like beer, you might enjoy what beer barrel finishing adds to Jameson’s flavor profile.  At $30 a bottle, I’d easily suggest this one.

8/10
(Note: A review sample was provided by Jameson.)

Blood Oath Pact No. 2 Announced
Photo courtesy of Luxco.

Photo courtesy of Luxco.

Luxco announced the release of Blood Oath Pact No. 2, a blend of a 7-year-old port barrel-finished bourbon, an 11-year-old wheated bourbon and an 11-year-old rye-based bourbon.  The average age of the whiskies used here is older than last year’s solid release (read my notes here).  There’s more to go around this time, too.  7,500 3-pack cases of this blend have been created for sale, compared to the 5,000 3-pack cases of Pact No. 1.  This release comes with a suggested retail price of $99.99.

Read the full press release below:

(St. Louis) March 28, 2016 – St. Louis-based Luxco has launched Blood Oath Pact No. 2 – the second expression in the limited release, ultra-premium bourbon series, Blood Oath. Blood Oath combines rare, top-notch bourbons, blended and bottled by hand for a distinctively exclusive and unimagined Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey. Pact No. 2 is a masterful union of three well-bred bourbons ranging in age from seven to 11 years. The first, a seven year rye bourbon finished in port barrels, is artfully joined by an 11 year wheated bourbon and an 11 year rye bourbon. Pact No. 2, bottled at 98.6 proof, is available in limited quantities nationally in 750ml bottles, with a suggested price of $99.99.

“Pact No. 2 is a rich marriage of three carefully selected bourbons, hand blended and bottled for a unique combination and exceptional taste,” says John Rempe, creator of Blood Oath and Director of Corporate Research and Development at Luxco. “The rye mash bill of the 11 year offers an oaky and spicy flavor, which is smoothed out by the extra-aged wheated bourbon – while the port-barrel finished rye brings it all together with a velvety sweet finish.”

Blood Oath Pact No. 2, just like its predecessor, is topped with a custom, eco-friendly natural cork, sealed and labeled with certificate-style paper stock signed by John Rempe. New for this year, each bottle of Blood Oath Pact No. 2 will be sold in a commemorative fire-branded wooden box. The Blood Oath series launched in 2015 with Pact No. 1, and will highlight a different variant, or Pact, each year.

“Pact No. 2 has a slightly fuller mouthfeel than Pact No. 1 with an oaky, caramel and cocoa aroma and a smooth flavor. The port-barrel finish really brings out the spice and fruit finish flavors,” says Rempe. “The freedom to choose the bourbons with the most complementary flavor profiles for Blood Oath allows us to create something truly special.”

Pact No. 2 is limited release, with only 7,500 3-packs created – this bourbon will never be made again.

For more information on Blood Oath, visit www.bloodoathbourbon.com

Jameson Black Barrel Irish Whiskey
Photo courtesy of Jameson.

Photo courtesy of Jameson.

Jameson Black Barrel is a step-up from the standard offering.  Like the standard expression, Jameson Black Barrel is a blend of grain whiskey and pot still whiskey.  What makes this one different is its age and maturation process.  This one is aged in a mix of sherry casks and bourbon casks.  The bourbon casks are re-charred before filling.  As far as age, this blend contains whiskies aged up to 12 years, but the majority is probably still 5-7 years old.  Yes, I know… that doesn’t mean much, as we don’t know percentages.

That different maturation is clearly evident on the nose.  Those Jameson aromas (honey, grain alcohol, floral) are still there, except now there are big sherried fruit and spice notes alongside them.  Flavor-wise, lovely honey and spiced fruit step up first.  Those charred ex-bourbon barrels add vanilla and cinnamon.  At 40%, this whiskey has an unexpected luscious and creamy mouthfeel.  The medium-length finish carries over some of that sweetness and spiciness.

Like I said in the first statement, Jameson Black Barrel is a step up from the standard offering.  It’s a more interesting whiskey, thanks in large part to the maturation process.  In my review of the standard Jameson, I mentioned the best way to enjoy it was over some ice.  With Black Barrel, go neat all the way.  I would love to see this released at a higher proof.  That would make it even more interesting.

7.5/10
(Note: A review sample was provided by Jameson.)