Jameson Black Barrel Proof

Nose: Aroma of caramel-coated apples, an apple cake with sweet honey, maple, and aromatic vanilla. Hints of spice and berries are present. Taste: Similar to the nose, but with a pronounced vanilla flavor, immediately followed by maple syrup. The spice offers a pleasant depth, more so than the regular Black Barrel. It starts creamy but the texture and taste fade rapidly. Finish: A substantial mouthfeel vanishes quickly. Like other less expensive Jameson releases, the flavor and intensity diminish too fast. It’s a short to medium finish. I anticipated a more enduring and fuller sensation in the mouth. Thoughts: An ABV of 55% would be preferable to 50%. Compared to the standard Black Barrel, I'd rather have kept the extra money and bought the regular Black Barrel. This is only slightly better, not significantly. The hype is not justified. However, if you enjoy this flavor profile, consider the West Cork Black Cask, which is half the price. It's comparable to Black Barrel in taste and value, making it worth trying before committing to Black Barrel Proof.

Full disclosure, my spirit tasting has been infrequent recently, so my senses might be slightly dulled. I really enjoy the regular Black Barrel. The additional charring effectively masks the grain character in the mix. The enhanced vanilla and wood tannins are a fantastic improvement over the standard Jameson, and it has a satisfying finish. I've even suggested it as an alternative to Redbreast 12 for those exploring Irish whiskey. I was quite eager to sample the Black Barrel Proof, purchasing it for £50 at a neighborhood store upon its release. However, I now feel I paid too much. Everything I appreciated about the standard Black Barrel is missing. It's intensely peppery and dominated by grain, with the vanilla note being almost imperceptible. I'd compare it to a poorly mixed, inexpensive bourbon. Furthermore, its finish is very brief, vanishing immediately and leaving behind a dry, bitter taste. This expression has truly let me down. I was happy to see it join their offerings. Its higher proof and non-chill filtered status suggested Jameson was listening to consumer desires, but I strongly suspect they've altered the recipe to include more young grain spirits. It's worth sampling next to the regular version at a pub, but I cannot endorse purchasing a bottle.

Nose: Vanilla and caramel notes are present. Palate: A prominent vanilla taste dominates the entire mouthfeel. Finish: Lingering for a short to medium duration, with subtle hints of chocolate and malt appearing towards the conclusion. This is incredible; I would have mistaken it for a bourbon due to the intense vanilla flavor, but the characteristic Irish notes emerge at the end, confirming it's Jameson. It's a superb drink on its own. It's amusing that the cask strength version is only 100 proof.

Smells of apples, toffee, and maple syrup. Tastes of apples and vanilla. It's smooth with a little burn.

Remarkably smooth given the intensity it delivers.