This whiskey forms part of the core range of the hugely popular Jameson Irish whiskey brand. Jameson is part of the Irish Distillers portfolio, Ireland’s leading producer of spirits and distiller of some of the world’s most well-known Irish whiskeys – this includes Redbreast, Paddy’s, Power’s and The Spot Family. Jameson is the world’s bestselling Irish whiskey, experiencing 30 years of consecutive growth up to 2019 and and consistently selling over 20 million bottles a year worldwide.
Jameson 18 Years Old uses a blend of three distillates, which are then matured in hand-selected American and European oak barrels for a minimum of 18 years. The whiskeys are then blended before undergoing a final marrying period of six months in American oak ex-bourbon barrels. It is one of Jameson’s most awarded whiskeys and regularly wins major medals in world spirits competitions.
Jameson was originally produced by John Jameson & Sons at their Bow Street distillery in the heart of Dublin. It was founded in 1780 and was in operation there until 1975. By this time, the company had become part of Irish Distillers – the Irish spirits wing of Pernod Ricard. Production now takes place at their Midleton distillery in Co. Cork, southern Ireland. The old Bow Street distillery is now home to a lavish Jameson visitor experience, which is one of the most visited attractions in Dublin.
Made from a selection of some of our oldest and most precious distillates, which are then married and finished in first-fill American ex-bourbon barrels for a minimum of 6 months, Jameson 18 Years is an exceptional whiskey in terms of quality.
Kevin O’Gorman – Master Distiller at Irish Distillers.
Jameson 18 Years Old has undergone an important evolution in 2022 – this included a new lighter weight bottle, more sustainable packaging and an ABV strength increase from 40% to 46% ABV. It is also non-chill filtered. Jameson 18 Years Old is available globally in specialist whisky and luxury retailers, and will cost around £180/ €200.
Our Tasting Notes
The colour is deep gold and the nose is slightly subdued in feel. With time, decadent aromas of caramelised pineapple and chargrilled peach mingle with butterscotch, hazelnut praline and a peppery spice. Some dried apricot also evolves and soft hints of well-used leather and old cigar box sit underneath.
On the palate this whiskey is soft and gentle with a luscious velvety feel. Notes of golden syrup and fresh buttercream mix with crisp green apple and expressive warming spices – think of nutmeg and cinnamon. Ripe tropical fruits add a distinct juicy vibe and this is reminiscent of suoer fresh pineapple and peach. A hint of apricot compote adds to the fruitiness. Then comes some vanilla pod and a hint of freshly sawn oak. Further hints of cocoa powder, icing sugar and toasted walnut add depth, as does an intriguing late hint of fresh yeast,
The finish is again slightly subdued, but of decent length. The sweet and tropical notes are first to fade and this allows the vanilla pod characteristic to shine through. This too eventually fades, leaving the the woody and warming spices to come to the fore.
What’s The Verdict?
This is a lovely whiskey from Jameson and one that is very easy drinking. It is soft and fudgey with some lovely sweetness and tropical fruit notes. The slightly subdued nose and finish are the only disappointment, but we are splitting hairs. This Jameson 18 Years Old is classy and sophisticated, but lacks a little depth that we expected for something of this advanced age. Again, we are splitting hairs but it is an impression that stuck with us.
