Jameson Cold Brew

Received as a gift, this is not something I would typically seek out. While I appreciate finished whiskies, flavored spirits are generally less appealing to me. My preconceptions aside, I enjoy strong, bitter cold brew coffee and Irish whiskey. I'm not a devoted Jameson fan, but I approached this with an open mind. I'm currently sampling several unusual items from the amaro/mixer collection, and this fits that category. I'll be reviewing Van Gogh Double Espresso Vodka immediately after this. The initial pour from a new bottle (neck pour), tasted neat in a Glencairn glass after resting for about 10 minutes. The liquid in the glass resembles the color of coffee, somewhere between flat Coca-Cola and morning drip coffee. It's translucent with minimal sheeting when swirled. The aroma is disappointingly weak. I anticipated a coffee scent, natural or artificial, but detected almost nothing. No discernible whiskey notes, only the faintest hint of generic coffee and a whisper of ethanol. My confidence is waning. Time for a taste. It's like watered-down whiskey mixed with bad coffee left in a mug overnight, possibly with some cigarette ash. The finish is bitter and unpleasant. This is truly awful. Jameson's own recommendation is to mix it with cola, add ice, or combine it with coffee – essentially, anything but drink it neat. I should have heeded their advice.

The initial aroma is a light coffee scent, like leftover Folgers from the day before, followed by chocolate nibs, a touch of orange peel, and mild barrel spices with no alcohol sting. The palate has a thin texture, starting with coffee and chocolate nibs, then orange peel and light spices with a slight alcohol burn. It finishes quickly with stale coffee and a chalky, undissolved creamer sensation. Drinking this straight, it's flawed; the coffee flavors overwhelm the whiskey notes, making it seem like a coffee liqueur rather than a whiskey and coffee blend. Although I enjoy combining whiskey and coffee, this doesn't achieve a balance of roasted coffee with the whiskey's fruits and barrel spices. If you have a bottle and don't like it neat, I have a suggestion to finish it without pouring it down the drain. I used the rest of my sample, mixed it with chocolate milk in a 1:1 ratio, added frozen cherries, a tablespoon of maple syrup, and ice, then stirred. It turned into a delicious cold cherry mocha with rich maple syrup. A score of 1.0 neat, and 4.0 for the cocktail. Thanks to a friend for the generous sample.

I'm genuinely fond of this whiskey and cold brew combination and had been looking forward to trying it. I finally had the opportunity while with company. Most of us shared a similar initial impression on the nose, though the palate varied slightly among everyone. Evidently, the coffee is the dominant element, the main character in the blend's narrative. The scent on the nose is quite potent, giving a nighttime coffee sensation upon first whiff. However, on the palate, the whiskey takes prominence, accompanied by some vanilla and a subtle citrus hint. The coffee flavor reappears toward the end, leaving a pleasant black coffee aftertaste that lingers briefly on the palate. If you appreciate black coffee, you might consider sampling this. Otherwise, it may not be your preferred blend, but it's worth a taste nonetheless.

It's whiskey with coffee, reduced to 30% ABV and unsweetened. It fulfills its purpose if you like unsweetened coffee in whiskey. Don't expect too much, but it offers creative possibilities. I use it for a pleasant hot summer drink: whipped coffee foam, milk, ice, and an ounce of this spirit make an amazing late afternoon drink. It also makes a fantastic adult tiramisu; dip the ladyfingers in this instead of espresso for a unique twist on the dessert. Is it worth the cost? Absolutely not. You'd be better off buying inexpensive Irish whiskey and adding good coffee yourself.

Among the finest flavored whiskies I've ever experienced. Jameson Cold Brew is a blend of Jameson whiskey and cold brew coffee made from Brazilian and Colombian Arabica beans, resulting in a delightful dram that combines the best of both worlds. The nose offers coffee and vanilla. The palate features a mix of coffee, toasted oak, and dark chocolate, leading to a pleasant, dry finish. It's smooth and easy to drink, without being excessively sweet. This is perfectly suited to my preferences. An added benefit is the absence of added sugars, which I find off-putting in most other flavored whiskies.

The aroma is of coffee or possibly a dark beer like a stout. The taste is like an iced coffee that's been sitting out too long, with a little bit of whiskey. It might have been interesting if the alcohol content was higher than 30%. At this proof, the whiskey is barely noticeable and the finish vanishes quickly. Perhaps it could be used in a mixed drink, or on a hot day with milk and ice for an iced coffee beverage. Coffee lovers might enjoy it, but if you want to taste whiskey, avoid this.