Note: This review of Jameson Distiller’s Batch Irish Whiskey reflects the personal opinions of Editor Kyle Swartz. This bottle was sent to him as a media sample.
Jameson Distiller’s Batch, a new Jameson Reserve Series expression, launches nationwide in September, drawing on the brand’s heritage with single pot still Irish whiskey. It combines whiskey aged in five types of oak casks, including ex-bourbon, Oloroso sherry and virgin Irish, European and American oak. It comes bottled at 92 proof. The suggested retail price is $49.99 per 750-ml. bottle.
Nose
Wonderful round floral and vanilla, gingerbread and caramel, lots of sweet malt. Classic Irish whiskey pot still aromas. Notes of white pepper.
Palate
More of the same with butterscotch and baking spices, burnt sugar and crème brûlée. Round, oily mouthhfeel. Sweet, smooth, and highly drinkable. Notes of cocoa and citrus.
Finish
On the shorter side, which is no surprise for a whiskey sub-100 proof. Lots more of those round sweet pot still notes, with tons of caramel and floral tones.
Upshot
This is an overperformer, a no-brainer buy at $50 for Irish whiskey fans. I attended several gatherings this weekend and must have poured this bottle for more than a dozen people and everyone agreed: it’s a winner. This is an Irish whiskey drinker’s whiskey, with all the pot still flavors you would expect. Any fan of the category should pick this up once it drops.
Kyle Swartz is editor of Beverage Dynamics. Reach him at kswartz@epgacceleration.com. Read his recent review, Jack Daniel’s Distillery Series #17: High Angel’s Share.
