Review by: ZoidbergOnTheRocks
I’ve got this box of minis I gathered a long time ago. It’s time to start digging into them, mostly because I just want to clean out my Scotch Cave. Every time I look at the box I see a random selection of scotch I don’t really want to drink, so I’m going to force myself to do it. Who knows, maybe there’s a treasure in here.
I’m starting with the two Jura minis I have. I always feel bad for Jura; they can see Islay so clearly, but the quality eludes them. Tasted on 9/30/2020, neat in a Glencairn.
Jura Origin 10 year, ABV 40%, 5cl mini bottled in 2013. It’s a cute little bottle in the same shape as the standard full-sized bottlings. No info on color or filtering. This is an unpeated expression that is no longer in their current lineup.
From their “past expressions” page: “Light and delicate with a warming honey finish. This is where it all started. For us, this whisky signifies the rebirth of the Jura distillery and rebuilding of our community. So it’s fitting that each bottle carries the ancient Celtic symbol for beginnings.” Aged in ex-Bourbon casks.
Distillery: Isle of Jura
Bottler: Distillery Bottling
Region: Scotland, Islands
ABV: 40.0%
Age: 10 years old
Nose: honey, oak, ethanol, malt, very light ginger spice, a hint of orange.
Taste: honey, light pepper, oaky, caramel, something a bit bitter, very thin mouthfeel.
Finish: honey, light pepper, a little oak, malty, short, tails off to bitter oak notes.
A bright nose of mostly honey and oak, but with a lot more alcohol than you’d expect for a 40%. Not a lot going on here at all: it’s the same simple thing with honey, oak, and light spice throughout. Some bitterness in the mouth and it tails off bitter, and not in a good way.
Final Score: 70.
Jura Superstition, a NAS expression bottled at 43%, no info on coloring or filtering, 5cl mini bottled in 2013. This one is also gone from their current offerings.
It’s labeled as “lightly peated”. Aged in ex-Bourbon casks. This was a hint at what was to come from the distillery, as now their entire core lineup appears to be peated.
Distillery: Isle of Jura
Bottler: Distillery Bottling
Region: Scotland, Islands
ABV: 43.0%
Age: NAS
Nose: honey, oak, ethanol, a hint of peat, a little spice, some malt.
Taste: light peat, smoke, pepper, honey, oaky, rather drying, thin mouthfeel.
Finish: peat smoke, pepper, honey, oak, dry, bitter. Medium length, but the stuff that’s staying is bitter and rough.
The distillate is very similar to the Origin 10. Not much smoke on the nose at all, but it does pop once it’s in your mouth. Big on pepper in the mouth and in the finish. Sadly, it’s accompanied by a lot of bitter, rough notes and those notes are what you’re left with in the finish.
Final Score: 65.
Comparison
Order: Origin 10 > Superstition
I assumed I would like the peated version more, but the Superstition loses out given the bitterness and pretty poor finish. Both are very simple.
I haven’t had a recent Jura. Given these two I wouldn’t go buy one, but maybe I’ll happen upon a sample or mini someday.
Scoring Legend:
- 95-100: As good as it gets. Jaw-dropping, eye-widening, unforgettable whisky.
- 90-94: Sublime, a personal favorite in its category.
- 85-89: Excellent, a standout dram.
- 80-84: Quite good. Quality stuff.
- 75-79: Decent whisky worth tasting.
- 70-74: Meh. It’s definitely drinkable, but it can do better.
- 60-69: Not so good. I might not turn down a glass if I needed a drink.
- 50-59: Save it for mixing.
- 0-49: Blech.
Malt Runners 