Jameson Bow Street 18 Year Cask Strength (Batch Two)

I'll be candid and admit I've often dismissed most products from this brand. I'm not entirely sure why, perhaps they seemed too mainstream, but this one caught my attention. My wife truly enjoys Irish spirits, so I decided to splurge on the attractive packaging and the liquid within. The aroma is quite sweet with some red berry notes. For a cask strength offering, there's virtually no ethanol or heat on the nose. The first sip presents an interesting variation. There's certainly some fruitiness, but it's accompanied by a mild cinnamon burn that appears quickly and persists throughout the sip. As you take another sip, you begin to notice the emergence of some really pleasant honey notes on the periphery. The finish is soft with some light brown sugar notes as it fades. Overall, I'm really appreciating the growing number of cask strength Irish options becoming available. Generally, I find around 110 proof to be ideal, so the lower proofs typical of most Irish spirits fall a bit short for me. This one delivers that wonderful fruit character found in many of my favorite Irish drams, along with a nice warming sensation from a higher proof. I'm not sure I'm ready to fill my collection with this brand, but this specific bottle can certainly compete with the Redbreasts and Spots. It's a bit costly, but a great bottle to have if you come across it.

On the initial pour, this 18-year-old delivers a strong impact at 110.2 proof. It's distinct from any other iteration from this distillery. Full-bodied with a flavor explosion of white raisins, caramel, sugar cookies, and floral notes. The finish is medium to long. This is a powerful Irish flavor bomb. I anticipate the heat will mellow as it airs out a bit.

It's decent, but a touch of alcohol astringency stands out, similar to vodka for me. There's some Sherry fruitiness – it's dry and present throughout. The longer it rests in your mouth, the more enjoyable it becomes.

A bit more alcohol heat, but with raisin and caramel flavors. It has a mild sweetness and a floral finish.

91 points. Oaky like a bourbon, with depth of raisins and crème brûlée. The finish retains the clear, floral character of Irish whiskey. Sweet, slightly spicy, and full-bodied. A complex, lingering finish.

This is my second purchase of an 18-year-old, and I am thoroughly enjoying it.