Jameson The Distiller's Safe

I've kept this bottle for some time and intended to share my thoughts several times... but the words eluded me. Tonight, however, something clicked. That college semester I spent in Ghana... it was hot. Ghana is incredibly hot. Most afternoons, I'd grab a cold Pepsi from the small shop at the international student dorm to cool down, along with a snack. My usual choices were Snappy Snacks (similar to Japanese peanuts) and Fan Ice (a frozen dessert tasting like a mix between ice cream and cake frosting), but sometimes, I'd opt for an Akuafo Bar. It was a Ghanaian chocolate bar with candied lemon peel – a satisfying treat when the mood was right. This pour reminds me of snack time in Ghana, minus the Pepsi. Milk chocolate, candied lemon, sweet vanilla (like frosting), a hint of crunchy grain, and a subtle floral note in the background. The palate is summery and light, starting and finishing with vanilla and wildflowers, with chocolate, lemon peel, and toasted grain in the middle. The finish isn't exceptionally long, but it does linger. It's a good whiskey, and delightful in the summer, but...this is not a $65 bottle. Personally, I find this to be the least impressive in the series – Cooper's Croze's brightness, for me, far surpasses this or Blender's Dog. I'm not convinced any of them are worth over $60. Is it good? I have no issues with it. Does it compare to, for instance, Powers John's Lane or Redbreast? Not in my opinion. Admittedly, it aims for something quite different (light and bright rather than rich and rounded), but an airy Irish NAS blend like this, which is tasty but not particularly complex, is...not worth $65 a bottle.

Rating: 13/23 Nose: Light, a little oily. Apples with some spice. Somewhat sweet and lightly floral. It smells like a young Irish whiskey, but also quite well-made. Palate: Definitely oily, though not overly so. Somewhat sweet with caramel and hints of apricot and apple. However, it's also somewhat bitter. A touch of spice, but perhaps more harsh than spicy. Finish: The richness of apple and apricot along with the oily sweetness remain pleasantly. Unfortunately, the harshness intensifies on the finish. - Verdict - This was initially my least preferred in this series from Jameson, but after comparing them side-by-side, I ranked it above the Blender's Dog. Then I changed my mind again and placed it below it. I appreciate the initial impression here, but I'm underwhelmed overall. This lacks complexity and I just don't care for that Irish whiskey oiliness. Still, this is a respectable example of a lightly flavored Irish whiskey. Considering the price point, the harshness makes this a pass for me. However, the oiliness makes it richer than the Distiller's Safe, which I find to be an appealing aspect in the end. I'd say that this and the Distiller's Safe are more similar in quality than either is to the Cooper's Croze (which is significantly better). The Distiller's Safe is quite average, and this falls into that category as well. Compared to Ancient Ancient Age 10 Star, I believe this is of similar quality. I might even rate it slightly higher. So it could reach a 13, but that's about its limit. This is very close to Blender's Dog, so perhaps they are both a 13? I think 13 is appropriate for both. A 12 is certainly a possibility, though.

When I requested a whiskey selection at a bar, I was directed to a closet. It was a reputable establishment, so I wasn't overly concerned about navigating through it only to find myself in a specialized whiskey bar where I encountered this dram. The journey to the whiskey bar was more engaging than the dram itself. Light and unobtrusive. 3

Nose - vanilla and almonds, pungent herbal spices, citrus zest, apricot, some ethanol, a few walnuts Palate - smooth, vibrant and metallic, sharp vanilla and some toasted almonds, bright citrus flavors, a bit of honey Finish - medium length citrusy taste, slight bitterness, medium warmth

A mellow, understated peppery beginning followed by a burst of spice and buttery undertones, concluding with a soft, caramel sweet finish. This is a light-bodied whiskey with considerable character, truly representing an excellent Irish spirit.

Aged for 5-8 years, it tastes more like unaged whiskey. It was matured exclusively in bourbon barrels. It's very sugary, yet sharp like unaged spirit. It seems intended to be close to its state right after distillation.