Editor’s Note: This whiskey was provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. This in no way, per our editorial policies, influenced the final outcome of this review. It should also be noted that by clicking the buy link in this review our site receives a small referral payment which helps to support, but not influence, our editorial and other costs.
Jameson Irish Whiskey is arguably one of the most famous whiskey brands in the world. According to market research firm IRI Worldwide, Jameson is the 5th best selling whiskey in America, only preceded by Jim Beam, Fireball, Crown Royal, and of course, Jack Daniels. If you ask someone about an Irish whiskey, it’s likely the first that would come to mind for the average person.
Jameson Irish Whiskey officially started in 1780 in Dublin. While considered one of the driving forces behind the Irish whiskey industry of the 19th century, John Jameson was technically not Irish, instead being born in Alloa, Scotland in 1740. In 1768, Jameson married Margaret Haig, the daughter of John Haig and Margaret Stein.
The Haig and Stein families were the top producers of Scottish whisky at that time. In 1780, John and Margaret moved to Dublin, where John began running a Stein family distillery, known as the Bow Street Distillery. Today, this building is the visitor’s center for the Jameson brand. In 1810, John purchased the distillery from the Stein family, and thus, officially, Jameson Irish Whiskey was born.
Later, the Stein family started another distillery in Marrowbone Lane. After marrying Isabella Stein, William Jameson, one of John’s sons, took over the distillery, which soon became William Jameson & Company. While originally trading adversaries, they would later become one company. The Jameson company would be headed by direct descendents of John Jameson until 1966, the last of which was Alexander Crichton.
Crichton would join the company with two others to become Irish Distillers Limited. Three years prior, in 1963, Jameson Irish Whiskey was bottled for the first time. Prior to this, it was sold by the cask, basically just to bars/pubs. Finally, in 1975, having outgrown the original Bow Street distillery, the company opened a new, much larger distillery in Midleton, County Cork, Ireland, which is where it is still distilled today.
Jameson Irish Whiskey is triple distilled. Jameson also does their best to source locally for all their ingredients. Their barley is from just up the road, and the water comes from a river that runs through the distillery property. However, the maize they use has to come from southern France, due to the fact that maize just doesn’t grow well in Ireland.
Jameson Irish Whiskey is aged a minimum of 4 years in oak casks before being bottled. The Jameson brand suggests that their original, triple distilled whiskey is a great place to “start your whiskey journey,” and I would fully agree with this. It is a wonderfully smooth and flavorful whiskey, and a lovely way to introduce anyone to this spirit type.
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Tasting Notes: Jameson Irish Whiskey
Vital Stats: 80 proof (40% ABV), triple distilled and aged in oak casks 4 years, 750ml bottle, $35 msrp.
Appearance: This whiskey is a nice, light amber color.
Nose: There is a lovely smokey, and spicy wood smell, with a hint of vanilla.
Palate: This whiskey is very smooth, with a lovely taste of vanilla and fruit. There is a nice sweetness to this whiskey.
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