Each Black Friday retailers around the world make some of their best deals of the year available, and The Whisky Exchange is no exception. You will no doubt be able to find a deal on their site for one of your favourite whiskies. However in recent years, since 2018, they also been true to their promise of ‘bringing you a great whisky at a great price‘ and brought us a limited edition small batch bottling each year available for the day, and this year is no exception.
For 2024 the Black Friday whisky chosen has come from the island of Jura from an unnamed distillery. We shall overlook the obvious matter of Jura being home to only one single distillery. This single malt whisky has been aged 16 years in a parcel of Oloroso sherry casks, American oak Oloroso hogsheads to be accurate. The bottle is 53.8% ABV and retailing at £75. Only 800 bottles are available.
Our Tasting Notes
The whisky is a festive vibrant gold and is distinctly aromatic. Notes of brine and sea salt and a hint of dusty ashy smokiness are immediately apparent. Then you may notice hazelnuts, icing sugar, vanilla and baking spices with underlying floral blossom-like notes plus fresh red apple and a touch of cooked green vegetables. On the palate this whisky is remarkably savoury with just the right amount of sweet. The mouthfeel has just enough weight to suit the current autumnal weather. Flavours of red berries and dried orange peel, baking spice and stewed stone fruit. The cooked vegetables combine with dusty spice – cloves and cinnamon – and that undeniable ashy smoke on the finish.
What’s The Verdict?
The Whisky Exchange’s Black Friday 2004 single malt absolutely suits the autumnal weather with warmth and complex character but without overpowering or dominating in any one way. If you want a peat and/or sherry monster because you see this is from the island of Jura, look away now; this is a more subtle experience of the Jura-island style of whisky. As for value for money, if you want a 16 years old whisky there are certainly cheaper options out there, but not if you want something limited edition at over 50% ABV. This is an eminently drinkable whisky and a great one to be sipping while trying to find a bargain on a fridge freezer and a pair of argyle socks.
