Jura Diurachs' Own 16 Year

I want you to feel my disappointment when you read this. I know what to expect from an Islay or Island Whisky, I look forward to it, and I found nothing close to that in Jura's Diurach's Own 16 year old. This expression is more dull and simple than its excellent siblings, Superstition and Origin, making me question if Jura should price the younger ones higher and this one lower. Let me be clear, it's a good dram, just not exceptional. Superstition and Origin were amazing. The nose is very elegant, with beautifully incorporated vanilla and macadamia nuts. Perhaps some caramel, BUT ALMOST NO PEAT. No peat in an Islay or Island whisky is like playing soccer without a goal. Nothing else noteworthy on the nose; I can say it smells sweet and pleasant, but it lacks excitement. On the palate, it doesn't match the description on the bottle. It's hot, rough, with dry brown grasses, woody, nutty, and has a long, hot finish that isn't easy to enjoy. The main issue: it was somewhat boring. I had to improve it slightly, so I added 2 tiny drops of water, and it helped significantly. On the nose, I discovered honey, caramel, and chocolate, though still without fireworks. The palate improved greatly, releasing a beautiful spiciness that dances across your mouth, similar to licking a 'crazy dips' lollipop, but here the spices (ginger and black pepper) are what 'sparkle' on your tongue. After adding water, there's also a tobacco note on the palate. The finish is long and full-bodied. Although bottled at 40%, it feels very rough and oily, with no Islay or Island character at all. Its color is chestnut. Overall, it's a good whisky, but not the incredibly amazing one I was hoping for. Perhaps my expectations were too high because its two predecessors were so impressive.

The islanders of Jura are honored by this bottling. It is a more premium offering from the producer, matured for a slightly unusual 16 years. This maturation is apparent immediately on the aroma, showing a floral musk not found in the younger versions. Notes of leather, rosewater, grapefruit, and grain are detected. It could serve as a passable fragrance. Upon tasting, the initial impression is its viscous mouthfeel, which possesses a richer body and more intense taste than anticipated at only 40% ABV. It presents as lavender-infused oil, sugared treats, wood, and flowery malt once more. The conclusion brings coffee with milk and caramel popcorn, providing a pleasant end. The three stages do not entirely harmonize for me, as the botanical aroma leads to a very sugary and woody taste, while the ending appears to be a superb blend of sherry, former bourbon casks, fresh wood, and malt tastes. Those concluding elements represent the peak of this spirit and, based on my time with the distillery's single malts up to now, the zenith for this producer. I'm curious about the impact of increasing the alcohol percentage or introducing peat to this dram.

Received this and two other sample bottles from travel retail. This has apparently been discontinued as 2018 has ended. It was aged for the first 14 years in American White Oak barrels and the final 2 years in ex-Amoroso Oloroso sherry casks. On the nose, I detected some of that American oak from a hint of caramel; I had to let the dram breathe for a bit after smelling it initially. My first sip immediately introduced oak notes that shifted into new wood, followed by allspice. It has a prickling burn to it, more than I'd expect from 40% ABV. The finish was rather swift with mixed nuts and abundant malted barley. Topped off with the dry tannins from the sherry casks and a bitter chocolate ending. This dram from the island of Jura has received awards, but it didn't agree with my palate this time around, unfortunately. I'm tasting more Juras, and it will be interesting to see the differences! Instagram: [reviewer's social handle]

I'm working through my Drinks by the Dram samples (around five left). The previous one (Yoichi NAS) let me down, and I had higher hopes for this. The Islands are my preferred Scotch region; I enjoy their savory, saline, yet sugary profile, which I find to be my top region. The initial aroma suggests a better outcome than the Yoichi. I detect salted caramel. There's no smoke or peat. The flavor presents more salt than caramel. Ripe bananas and chocolate are also present, but the salt truly dominates everything. The finish is a sweet brininess with a hint of bitterness, reminiscent of dark chocolate sprinkled with salt. It's not terrible, but would I purchase a full bottle? Likely not. It feels restrained and lacks the complexity to justify it. For that salty, briny character, I'd opt for Talisker 10.

A comparative review of three samples: Jura 10 Origin, Jura Superstition, and Jura 16 Year Old (Diurachs). I hadn't heard particularly great things about this distillery, but I found a three-sample pack for a very low price, so I decided to try it. Here's my take! Second sample of three. Nose: Tropical fruit roll-ups, chewy toffee, roasted vanilla bean. The sherry is barely detectable. Palate: Sherry rancio blends with vanilla and oak spice. It's fairly balanced. Adding a splash of water and letting it sit in the glass for about 25 minutes reveals sweeter sherry fruit notes. Somehow, I also detect the faintest hint of smoke now. The water really enhances the richer, fuller fruity notes. Medium finish. Overall, a decent drink. Scored 1 out of 3 in the side-by-side tasting.

Nose: peach, apple, dry grass, caramel, vanilla, candied orange, honey, raisin, malty grain, moderate ethanol burn. Taste: peach tea, candy orange, apple, honey, cinnamon, brine, caramel, vanilla, clove, sweet barrel char, cocoa, raisin, dry grass, lemon, moderate alcohol bite, finishing medium length with orchard fruit, tannic barrel char, and caramel flavors. This is my favorite of the three from my sampler pack (10 Year Origin and Superstition were the others). The sweet palate is much more rounded, the sourness is dialed down, and the bitterness isn’t quite as off putting. And the peach tea note is quite nice. So it’s not great, but definitely a step or two above the others for me.