The whiskey wash logo
The World's Most-Visited
Whiskey Website
The World's Most-Visited
Whiskey Website

Trending Stories

Search
Scotch

Scotch Whisky Review: J&B Rare

J&B Rare is a masterfully crafted blend that bucks the stereotype of being merely a heavily marketed product.

OVERALL RATING

7
$25
  • Phil Dwyer is a freelance whisky writer and consultant with over a decade of experience in whisky retail and online whisky education. Best known for hosting Whisky Wednesday on YouTube, he is dedicated to making whisky accessible and enjoyable by cutting through jargon and complexity.
Like Conversation

Tasting Notes

About:

Produced by the famous spirits shop, Justerini & Brooks whose own history dates back to 1749. This blend has placed itself into the cultural stratosphere by famously appearing in The Thing, The Soprano’s, and the odd Martin Scorsese film, too. This was one of the rare bottles of whisky to be advertised during Prohibition in The United States, and managed to keep it’s pricing very affordable after the inflation of World War 2 on spirited and wines during the era.
Appearance:
Soft Gold
Nose:
Buttery party, apple, pear, and a little touch of west coast Scottish smoke – it reminds me a little of Caol Ila. Some almonds, powdered sugar, and pleasant grain whisky sweetness dominate the nose.
Palate:
Incredible texture for something of this price point! Very mouth coating and oily. Vanilla, apple, kiwi, and lime. The smoke is not that present on the taste, it seems to be on the nose just to pull you in a little more. Super light and very easy drinking.
Finish:
Dry, delicate, a little bit of spice, but keeps you reaching for more of this stuff.
Comments:

I really like this whisky, and it’s something that I would also take to Antarctica with me, much like Kurt Russell in The Thing. It’s a name that carries a lot of weight in the whisky world, but doesn’t seem to be in a such demand as it’s bigger marketed players like Johnnie Walker and Chivas Regal.


Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by The Whiskey Wash or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.

Phil Dwyer

Phil Dwyer is a freelance whisky writer and consultant. With a decade of experience in whisky retail and nearly as long running Whisky Wednesday on YouTube, Phil is dedicated to sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm with fellow whisky lovers. His goal is to make whisky accessible and enjoyable, dispelling the jargon and complexity that can sometimes surround the spirit. In addition to his online presence, Phil managed The Whisky Shop Manchester, where he curated an impressive selection of some of the finest drams available.

All Posts

Latest On The Whiskey Wash

The whiskey wash logo