Jameson Unveils Its First Global Cask Strength Irish Whiskey Release

Popular Irish whiskey brand Jameson is considered to be the fastest growing brand in this Irish whiskey market segment, experiencing 28 years of consecutive growth and hitting sales of 6.5 million cases in 2017 alone. In 2018, those behind it hope to continue this line of growth, and to this end have globally released an 18-year-old cask strength variant which should help with increased sales quite nicely.

The new Jameson Bow Street 18 Year Cask Strength Irish Whiskey, according to those behind it, is the first cask strength Jameson to be released globally. Initially distilled and matured 18 years in a collection of bourbon and sherry casks, the blend of pot still and grain Irish whiskeys has been married together and re-casked in first-fill ex-bourbon American oak barrels for a final six to 12 months in the Maturation House at the Jameson Distillery Bow Street. This bottling is considered a reinterpretation of the well loved Jameson 18 Years, and celebrates the brand’s Dublin heritage by returning part of the production process to its original home for the first time since 1975.

The whiskey, bottled at 55.3% ABV without the use of chill filtration, is presented in an 18 facet bottle, one for each year of maturation, and the wooden presentation box it comes in is said to celebrate “the traditional pot stills used during the production process.” In addition, a copper coin located underneath Jameson Bow Street 18 Years Cask Strength bottles provides Jameson fans with access to an exclusive online portal where they can delve deeper into the story of the whiskey which bears the Bow Street name.

“I’ve long had the unique luxury of being able to taste Jameson straight from the barrel at cask strength,” said Billy Leighton, Master Blender at Midleton Distillery, in a prepared statement. “With this first ever global launch of a cask strength Jameson, I’m thrilled that Irish whiskey fans around the world can now experience the full intensity of our whiskey or add a few drops of water to enjoy it at their own preferred strength.”

Jameson Bow Street 18 Years Cask Strength, should you want to find a bottle of it, will be available in July for €240, or close to $290 USD. You’ll find some official tasting notes for it below from Jameson.

Nose: Rich wood-driven influence with deep toffee notes and spice.
Taste: Toffee and oak remain consistent with hints of leather and vanilla along with a subtle sherry nuttiness creating depth and complexity.
Finish: Long and full with the sweet toffee notes slowly fading while the toasted oak and spice linger throughout until the very end.