Jameson The Cooper's Croze

Score: 15/23. Nose: I detect some fruit and spice. Apples are definitely there, along with cinnamon and clove, I suspect. A hint of something vaguely floral and grainy is also present, though its identity eludes me. There's a slight dryness, almost a mineral tartness, reminiscent of rye. Palate: Clear wood influence is evident. I perceive a straightforward woody flavor, accompanied by spice, jasmine, and vanilla. The wood presence isn't overwhelming, especially when contrasted with bourbon. A light caramel sweetness is present, along with an oily fruitiness in the apricot range. Those dry minerals from the nose reappear and integrate well once you accept this is a rather light whiskey. The harshness is acceptable; it's certainly still young. Finish: The minerals, oily apricot (now with a hint of nuttiness), some woody spice, and harshness persist. Conclusion: Among the three special Jameson releases, I believe this is the superior one. It's respectable, aligning with the current trend of Japanese whisky that is light with delicate, subtle flavors. Nothing particularly challenging or exciting is happening here, but the balance is effective, and it's quite easy to drink. However, it still falls short of Redbreast 12 Cask Strength. While the others in this series struggled against Evan Williams BiB (chosen for comparison due to its oiliness), this one is clearly better. Given its mellow character, I thought Dalwhinnie 15 might be a suitable comparison. The Dalwhinnie is richer, but this offers more complexity. It brings to mind my experience comparing Blender's Dog and Sir Edward's 12. Either could be preferred over the other without issue, but I lean slightly towards this one (though Dalwhinnie is smoother). After tasting this alongside Dalwhinnie 15, a score of 15 seems appropriate. While not Redbreast 12 CS, it is a quite good whiskey. I didn't truly appreciate the other two in this series, but I do like this one. Redbreast is better, but this comes quite close. Overall, I believe a score of 15 is fitting.

The first entry in the Jameson Whiskey Maker's Series. This one honors Ger Buckley, the head cooper. An intriguing concept. Jameson has always been a staple for me; even as I've moved beyond the standard offering, the Black Barrel remains a good choice. Let's step up in price again and see if Ireland's most renowned brand can satisfy. Aroma: Shortbread cookie and powdered sugar. Some orange peel, honey, and vanilla (frosting). Fruity notes like apricot, coconut, white/green grape, and gala apple. Almond and walnut. Initially subdued but opens up after about 10 minutes. Taste: Citrusy orange peel, toffee, and malt. Banana. Some caramel and vanilla. A strong cashew note and some macadamia. Similar to the aroma, the sherry influence is hardly perceptible while the bourbon influence is dominant. A hint of date, fig, raisin in the background, but it's truly in the background. Much more oak-driven on the palate as well. Coconut and a touch of agave. Honeydew. Cinnamon and black pepper. Finish: Some red fruit and orange peel. Oak, caramel, brown sugar, and vanilla. A little cinnamon spice on the way out, as well as black pepper. Moderate in length. The transition from mid-palate to finish stands out here. Quite pleasing. I'm about halfway through the bottle. I anticipated scoring this slightly higher based on prior tastings, but the lack of complexity was a minor drawback. It's very well-balanced and very enjoyable. Classic Irish, good from start to finish. Good, very good even, but not exceptional. I saw this on sale for $60 down from $70. Either way, I believe you can find better value for your money. I gave it a 3.75, which surpasses the Black Barrel, even considering value for money. If you're a dedicated Jameson or Irish collector, this one is a safe bet. Be aware, there are superior choices at this price point (Knappogue Castle 14, Redbreast 12, Green Spot). Nevertheless, it's a solid attempt and a damn good drink from Jameson.

Enjoyed neat from a glencairn at a local establishment. While I couldn't dedicate my full attention, I hadn't sampled this particular expression before. Several Jameson varieties are to my liking; I favor the Caskmates Stout over the IPA (which is surprising given my enjoyment of hoppy IPAs), occasionally appreciate the standard Jameson, and have a fond memory of the 18 year. However, Jameson generally isn't part of my regular selection, and I don't keep any bottles on hand. That being said... This was an acceptable pour. I recall notes of honey and hay, freshly cut lumber, damp barrel wood, and a mild hint of spice. It wasn't as captivating as I had anticipated. I remember a touch of ethanol and traces of acetone on the nose, alongside honey and grass, but otherwise, I couldn't discern much from the aroma. I also recall thinking it tasted like a typical Irish whiskey: sweet, smooth, and easy to drink. I don't recall ever feeling an urge for another sip. I didn't have one. I feel as though I'm being overly critical of this one. Perhaps my palate is off tonight, and due to that possibility, I'll be fair and give this another try. However, I'll only commit to a pour at a restaurant. I don't need another forgettable bottle of alcohol in the cabinet. On my scale, a 2.5 signifies an acceptable, ordinary, mass-market product, right in the middle of the bell curve. Tullemore DEW serves as an example of a 2.5 Irish whiskey for me (I drink it regularly). This might be a slight improvement over the Tully, but it didn't hold my attention long enough for me to determine that.

Jameson's standard bottling marked my genuine transition to appreciating fine spirits, moving beyond simply consuming cheap whiskey to get intoxicated during my college years. Clearly, my palate has become more refined since my early twenties, yet the distillery remains significant to me. The positive development is that Jameson and its associates have also refined their approach over time. The resurgence of Irish whiskey is benefiting all involved, offering us gems like this release, which is a significant departure from the basic Jameson product. Considerable care was invested in the spirit's creation, with wood being a prominent feature (fitting for a spirit named for the cooper). Aromas indicating quality oak of various types are present, with vanilla, diverse spice notes, sawdust, and coconut suggesting a strong American oak influence, complemented by enough nuttiness to hint at the use of ex-sherry casks. The palate is what a well-made Irish blend should be – clean and fresh, featuring vanilla, candied lemon peel, dark chocolate, spices, and a touch of tropical fruitiness. It's very bright, very clean, and very focused. I considered giving it 5 stars but settled on 4 after deliberation. That said, I have no regrets about purchasing the bottle, and its light, fresh profile will be ideal for warmer weather sipping.

A fine offering from Jameson, part of their "Whiskey Maker's series" from 2016. This whiskey honors the master craftsmanship of the cooperage, where exceptional barrels are restored and prepared for whiskey aging. Bottled at 43% ABV with a golden color. The nose is quite pleasing. Creamy vanilla, chocolate, coffee beans, and green apples. It carries a hint of bitterness alongside a marshmallow scent. Notes of apple pie and mocha coffee are present. On the palate; very fruity and sweet. Flavors of cider and pear juice, chocolate, and creamy vanilla. The aftertaste was less impressive. Hints of cider, a touch of smoke, hay, and scorched grass. Overall, this was a thoroughly enjoyable whiskey and certainly one of Jameson's more balanced drams. The aftertaste detracted significantly from the score, but it remains a pleasant whiskey. My rating is 83 out of 100.

A pleasant blend. The aroma is subtle yet intricate, with notes of cinnamon, vanilla, caramelized sugar, and orange. At times it's quite cereal-like, other times I detect a strong apple presence, and today it smelled woody. Initially, some acetone notes are present on the nose, but they become more agreeable later. The palate begins with a delightful, smooth texture, featuring cinnamon and sweetness. The finish offers warming spices, then turns somewhat sharp, with nutty undertones and a slight dryness. This is a fantastic, ever-evolving spirit, though unfortunately too oaky/spicy for my preference.