Jura Prophecy Review



Country: Scotland 
Region: Highland - Islands - Jura
Brand: Jura Prophecy
Type: Single Malt Whisky
Age: NAS
ABV: 46 %
Date: 23/11/2013

Colour: Full Gold

Nose: The almost traditional Jura "Cooked Vegetables" are there but they are better in balance with the other Aromas than for instance in the 16 Years and the Superstition. This is easily the best Jura I've nosed so far. I find Dirty Earthy 
Peat, Burnt Garden Refuse, light Iodine, Tar, light Rubber, light Leather, Malt, Assorted Dried Fruits and Nuts, light Oak, Straw, Citrus Peel, light Sherry, light Spices and hints of (Shell) Fish and Munster Cheese. The Nose is a bit Edgy and the Alcohol is not yet fully integrated. I reckon this whisky matured mainly in Ex-Bourbon Casks but some Sherry Butt influence is noticeable.

Palate: Slightly on the Thin Side despite the 46%. Quite some Spice in the form of Pepper and Cardamom. I also find Dirt, Smoke, Ashes, Dried Fruits and Nuts, Licorice, light Iodine, Toffee/Butterscotch, Oak and Salted Meat and Fish. 

Finish: Middle-Long and Dry with Peat, Smoke, (Chili) Pepper, Ashes, Licorice, Oak and Herbal Tea with a slice of Lemon.

I added a bit of Water and you get a bit more Orange, Malt, Straw and Honey on the Nose. But Palate and Finish become too Thin in my opinion. 

Rating: 83.5

Nose: 20.5 - Taste: 21 - Finish: 21  - Overall: 21


General Remarks: For those of you who would like to know why this Jura is called Prophecy, here's the story as can be found on the packaging:

" In the early 1700's the Campbells of Jura evicted a wise old seer blessed with the ability to foresee the future. Bristling with resentment, she prophesied that when the last Campbell left the island, he would be one-eyed and his belongings would be carried in a cart drawn by a white horse. Over time the story became legend and the prophecy drifted from memory. Until 1938, when Charles Campbell, blind in one eye from the Great War, fell on hard times. It was a cold, unforgiving morning when he made his way to the old pier for the last time. That day, the sound of the cart on the track could be heard for miles"

The Jura Prophecy was launched in 2009 and is released in limited batches each year. It is a blend of various younger, older and rare Jura Malts. The sample I'm tasting today is likely bottled in 2011/2012. The Prophecy matured in a mix of Casks, is not Chill-Filtered but does contain E-150 Caramel. It sells at around 80 US Dollars.

Drinking Experience Neat: Good.

Conclusion: I'm not a big fan of the Jura distillery character. Still, I will visit them next year on my journey to Islay, Speyside and Jura and who knows I will find a small treasure there! But in general I find too much Cooked Vegetables, Dirt Roads, Cardamom and not quite fresh Fish. On the bright side, the Prophecy is by far the best Jura that I've tasted so far. So if you like the other Jura expressions you will love this one. And if you (like me) don't like the others that much, this is the one to go for!

Jan van den Ende                                                         November 2013

2 comments:

SmokyBeast said...

Agreed on the Prophecy! It's the only highly peated one and it's one of the closest things to Lagavulin 16 for those who are obsessed with it (like me!). It's still a little pricey for what it is, but also a nice change of pace from traditional Islays. Good review!

Jan van den Ende said...

Thanks Smoky! The Lagavulin 16 is among my favourites as well. Have a Great Weekend!
Jan