Jameson Bow Street 18 Year Cask Strength (Batch One)

Engaging in a Saint Patrick's Day tasting duel: 18 year old versus the 18 Bow Street Batch One. 18 Year Old Nose: Sweet fruit, wood notes, cherry, a little too much ethanol, possibly some citrus, and the scent of shaving soap. 18 Bow Street Nose: Rich vanilla and caramel, orchard fruits, mellow oak, a hint of tropical fruit, butterscotch candy or butterscotch bread pudding. 18 Year Old Palate: Caramel, vanilla, tart cherry, baking spices, butterscotch, well-rounded tropical fruit flavors, peaches and cream, honey. The mouthfeel is a bit thin and watery. 18 Bow Street Palate: More full-bodied, rounder, richer - tropical fruit, sweet cereal malt, a much more pronounced spice profile, cinnamon, peaches and cream again, some earthiness, some herbs, a touch of pine, a bit of cherry cough syrup, and light coffee notes. 18 Year Old Finish: Smooth, mild, sweet, a hint of that shaving soap, vanilla cream, and floral notes. 18 Bow Street Finish: Long with oak, barrel spice, pot still spice, cinnamon, significant heat, cherry, lingering sweetness, a hint of copper, and some tannin bitterness. The Jameson heritage is evident in both – they are unmistakably Jameson. However, could I have identified them blind? Perhaps, is the best I can say – probably not without my tasting notes for comparison before making a decision. The 80 proof 18 year old is (as expected) thinner and in some ways less appealing, but it also offers more delicate notes that are overshadowed in the 112 proof Bow Street. Most of the time, the bolder character of the Bow Street is likely preferable, but there are certainly occasions where the lighter proof and profile of the 18 year old would be more suitable. I find myself wondering about the potential of a 90 or even 100 proof version of this. Pretty impressive, I imagine. Final verdict: considering I somehow managed to spend less on the cask strength, it's the clear winner here. Excluding value for money, it's a closer contest, but the Bow Street is richer with a longer finish, more complexity, and a superior mouthfeel. The Bow Street is the winner 9 out of 10 times. When compared to other Irish whiskies of similar age, the unfortunate truth is that neither of these measures up to, for instance, Red Spot (I believe it's a 15 year age statement) or Redbreast 12 or 15. It's not an apples-to-apples comparison – this is a blend, while those are single pot still – but they cost less and taste better. However that may be, it is what it is. In terms of proof, Blue Spot or Redbreast CS are both superior to the Bow Street. It's difficult to justify the price of the Bow Street. It's an interesting experience, the kind of thing you don't regret purchasing and trying once, but probably won't revisit.

While this bottle has some good points, if you want Irish and are willing to spend, get Red Spot, Redbreast, Waterford, Bushmills, or Powers instead of this. Or at least try it at a bar first.

Nose: fruity, vanilla, opens up a bit with water. Palate: smooth. Finish: intense. It doesn't seem worth the cost. You're paying extra for the fancy box and packaging.

Aroma: floral, honeydew, sugar cookie, agreeable Added three drops of water Taste: sharp (alcohol) with a hint of cookie Finish: standard Irish whiskey

Fortunate to discover this at a karaoke bar in SF... Last serving. Not bad at all...

Robust flavor, a lengthy finish, and quite lovely.