Fast forward about 3 years and now, here I am, slowly amassing my own little collection of sample bottles, and as my whisky blogging continues to grow I hope the collection shall grow with it and then also, in turn, diminish as I send them off to other grateful recipients and so the cycle will continue.
So, what better way to move the blog onward by dipping into one of these samples that I have gratefully received. As I made my way over to the bookcase, where my collection rests, I simply reached out to the nearest bottle and as I picked it up I was quietly excited to read the label "Jura - Prophecy - 46%"
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| Jura "Prophecy" |
Jura is a distillery I've had some previous experience of, and like most island whiskies I'm rarely disappointed, but the "Prophecy" expression is not one I had encountered before (hence the quiet excitement). Made from a selection of "old and rare" Jura whiskies this expression is "heavily peated" and matured in Limousin French Oak. As I've already stated it's bottled at 46% and without chill filtration but I do believe, from various research, that colour has been added.
Like the rest of the core range, this Jura is reasonably easy to get hold of and can sometimes be picked up at a very good price, around Christmas and father's day, so keep your eyes peeled because I think, after having a good taste, that this is a bottle worth getting.
And on that note, onto my tasting:
Nose - Starts off with little touches of white fruit but that quickly makes way and the peat influence takes over. This isn't as earthy as most Islay whiskies but more dry fire smoke, specifically peat + wood fire. Toasted oats and tropical fruit come through with emphasis on banana and pineapple and after about 5 minutes or so the smoke balances out with the fruit almost perfectly. With a little drop of water the smoke eases and allows a tangy, citrus, perfumed lemon note to appear and after some time a strange sense of creamed rice also shows itself. That is a new one on me.
Palate - Steady sweet arrival that builds into a heady mix of smoke and peppery spice. On a second taste the arrival has little nuances of green apple and honey along with other fresh fruits but when the smoke appears it's heavy, intoxicating and very good. The smoke effect is still most definitely dry smoke and not earthy in the slightest. The pepper, and now some chilli, remain throughout but never dominate in the slightest and are certainly not harsh.
Finish - In fairness it's a tad lacking in depth but is of good length with more green apple, this time sour, and more smoke.
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| Jura distillery |
Overall this is a impressive whisky that has enjoyed the addition of peat whilst still retaining it's original island character. It's also extremely well balanced and I would have no hesitation in recommending this to anyone. With that in mind though, if I had to find any fault then the "Prophecy" could maybe do with another layer or two of depth and complexity but I say this in the knowledge that I really am being overly picky. This truly is a very good whisky.
Well there you go, another fine whisky sampled and another review posted.
In the coming weeks I hope to push myself on and jazz things up a bit by heading out into the wider world to bring you all a few updates with the focus on some excellent Irish whiskey destinations, but I shall also be keeping things ticking over by continuing through my army of samples, so stay tuned.
All that's left to say is a massive thank you to Jamie for the awesome sample. The favour shall be returned.
Until next time,
Sláinte
SI
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