Jameson 12 Years Review

Country: Ireland

Brand: Jameson

Age: 12 Years

Alcohol: 40%

Colour: Gold

Nose: Malt, Sweet Breakfast Cereals with Nuts and Dried Fruits (Raisins and Sultanas), Orange Marmalade, Brown Sugar, Oak and Spices. There is some Caramel and Sherry and a faint hint of Leather. I do believe there is some Fruit lurking at the back of the glass as well but I can’t really determine what it is. Could be Peach or Melon. I can’t detect any Smoke here. The 12 Year certainly presents less rough alcohol than the Standard Jameson. As always, give the spirit at least 20 minutes or so to open up in your nosing glass.

There is enough to discover on the nose but you really have to dive deep. I would have given the nose 21,5 points if not for a nutty bitterness that pops up from time to time which I find unpleasant.

Taste: Surprisingly Sweet with Sherry, Cherries, Raspberries and Vanilla but spicy at the same time with Oak, Cinnamon and White Pepper.

Finish: The Sherry and Spices vanish rather quickly but the Cherries and Raspberries carry on for quite a while.

Rating:  82.5 

Nose: 21– Taste :20,5– Finish: 20– Overall: 20,5

General Remarks: The Jameson 12Y is a mixture of malt - and grain whiskies. No need to add water as it just waters things down. You do get a bit of cocoa on the palate. Still, better drink this one straight.

Drinking Experience Neat: Good

Conclusion:  This is surely a step up when compared to the standard Jameson. The nose is certainly more interesting though not at all spectacular. The palate follows up with the unusual combination of spices and sweet red fruit, something I have not been able to identify in other whiskies so far. These cherries and raspberries guarantee a faint but quite long lasting finish. Another advantage versus the Standard is the absence of harsh alcohol. So yes, the 12 Year is better than his younger brother but not a whole lot more interesting. You basically get less harsh alcohol and an extra bit of sweet fruit. I’m not sure that’s enough to justify the price difference!

Jan van den Ende                                                         December 16, 2011