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Jameson Black Barrel Review + Tasting Notes

Jameson Black Barrel is a great whiskey in its own right, but it’s especially appealing for bourbon drinkers looking to explore Irish whiskey.

OVERALL RATING

7
$33
  • 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.
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Tasting Notes

About:

In a similar way to Jameson Crested, Black Barrel is a more Single Pot Still focused blend. However, the distillery is making a heavier use of first-fill bourbon casks, with some sherry influences running through it, too.


Appearance:
Dark Orange
Nose:
Quite different to the standard bottle and the Crested release. This is much heavier with nutmeg, caramel and touches of black pepper. It has a very autumnal feel all around. After some time you get these little hint of butter, vanilla pudding, and some maltiness from the Single Pot Still influences.
Palate:
A little more forward then the standard and Crested releases. The spice is a little more present on this, but it’s welcome spice. That oaky, woody, toasted spice that you get from really good first-fill American oak casks. The grain pops through a little on the palate, giving you these soft spicy notes but backed up with more ex-bourbon flavours of vanilla, a little touch of espresso and some milk chocolate.
Finish:
Leads in a slightly more bitter direction for Jameson, but not in a bad way. Those milk chocolate notes turn to dark chocolate the nutmeg comes back, and you get these touches of ginger and Angostura bitters. A very pleasant finish.
Comments:

Jameson Black Barrel is a great whiskey in its own right, but it’s especially appealing for bourbon drinkers looking to explore Irish whiskey. The heavy use of first-fill bourbon casks gives it rich, familiar notes of vanilla and toasted oak, making the transition feel natural. It could also appeal to Scotch drinkers who enjoy blends but are curious about bolder, bourbon-cask-driven flavours. Overall, it offers excellent value for money


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.

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