Jura 13 Year (2009) Cadenhead’s Natural Strength Manzanilla Sherry Cask

Review by: zSolaris

Distillery: Jura.

Bottler: Cadenhead’s.

Region: Island.

Age: 13 Year. Distilled in 2009, bottled Autumn 2023.

ABV: 57.1%. Cask Strength.

Cask Type: Finished in Manzanilla sherry hogsheads from March 2021 until Autumn 2023, about 2.5 years.

Price: Sample courtesy of /u/dustbunna.

Color: 1.1, Burnished.

This whisky was reviewed blind courtesy of /u/dustbunna as part of a Twelve Fourteen Days of Christmas set. The note on this dram was “VIII (Eight) Maids-a-Milking”.

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Reveal: Jura 13 Year (2009) Cadenhead’s aged for 2.5 years in Manzanilla casks, 57.1% ABV.

Nose: It smells an awful lot like gin to me with tons and tons of botanicals here. Juniper jumps out so does cardamom followed by star anise and bergamont for a bit of a citrus-y note. Some almond extract also comes through.

Palate: It tastes very much like the nose, again very much like a gin loaded full of botanicals same botanicals. Juniper is the most prominent and strong, though you do get the cardamom, star anise, and bergamont as well.

Finish: Short and dry. Again, this is very gin-esque for me. Juniper, elderflower extract, and a bit of huckleberry wrap things up.

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Guess: I would lean gin if it weren’t for the color. Barrel aged gin exists sure but it isn’t particularly common. I’m going to guess Swedish whisky, Mackmyra specifically. 10-14 years age. Ex-bourbon casks. 46-50% ABV.

Reveal: Jura 13 Year (2009) Cadenhead’s Natural Strength Manzanilla Sherry Cask.

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Conclusion: My reaction to this reveal was one of complete shock. Jura? Jura? I’ve given up trying to understand this distillery, it’s almost like they’re all about the chaos to a degree no other distiller does. I don’t understand how something can go into a sherry cask and come out tasting like a gin. Frankly, I was at a loss of how to rate this too. If I rate it as a gin, it is easily the most flavorful gin I’ve ever had. If I treat this as a whisky, I’m not sure I’d ever want to drink this when I was in a whisky-mood. One way or another, this is perhaps one of the most memorable drams I’ve ever had and that surely is worth something.

Rating: 82.

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Scotch Whisky Review #504, Island Review #80, Whisky Network Review #669

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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.