It was not necessary to be a prophet to guess that sooner or later they would start making peat whiskey on the island of Jura. In the end, he is immersed in this valuable source of energy and taste. Nevertheless, production resumed here in the 1960s with the support of McKinley, a company selling blended scotch tape, was limited to light varieties. Until, finally, Jura did not meet the requirements of the market.
Island of contrasts
Jura - whiskey comes from a place full of contrasts. A wild rocky coast, about which sea waves violently break on one side and calmly cozy sandy bays on the other. In the sweetness of Origin and the smokiness of Superstition lies the spirit of the island, which turned into whiskey, each drop of which is ready to reveal its secrets in a new way.
Production
Inside the distillery is a classic distillery of the 1960s - large rooms, clean flow from the filtration tank, stainless steel fermentation tanks, a capacious and very high (7.7 m) distiller with a capacity of 24150 liters. Obviously, the plant was not built solely to satisfy the thirst of the local population. A relatively short period of fermentation, not exceeding 54 hours, gives Jura whiskey basic rigidity - this means that for full disclosure this adhesive tape takes time (or active containers).
Bourbon and Sherry
Whyte & Mackay blending master Richard Paterson was a big supporter of sherry barrels, while the bulk of Jura whiskey was aged in bourbon containers. In bottled single malt scotch, the sherry component has a higher presence, adding the exquisite sweetness of dried fruits.
Since the late 1990s, peat whiskey has been produced here annually for a short period of time. Then it is mixed with ordinary or left in its pure form.
Island history
Although the large southern Hybrid island of Jura, located on the west coast of Scotland just 60 miles from Glasgow, has always been sparsely populated, it has a significant past related to the production of whiskey. There is information that in the XVIII century, local residents made alcoholic drinks from rowan berries, and also used these bitter fruits to acidify a bunch of scotch tape.
Along with the illegal production of whiskey, there was a legal one, located in the only local village of Jura Craighouse. In 1810, the owner of the island, Archibald Campbell, received a license to manufacture this drink.
The distillery had several names: "Greyghouse", "Small Isle", Caol nan Eilean, Isle of Jura. The owners, having failed to make the local scotch tape popular in 1901, among many other distilleries, closed the plant. The costs of maintaining production on a remote island are always high, and the lack of direct transport links to the mainland (so far all ferries cross Islay) also played a negative role.
Economic feasibility stopped the production of whiskey on the island for a long six decades. In 1963, two local landowners, Robin Fletcher and Tony Riley-Smith, decided to resume distillation - mainly as a means to stop a further decline in the local population. With financial support from the Leith blender, Charles McKinley and Company, the renowned designer William Delme-Evans was hired and a large and modern factory was built, expanded in 1978 to its current size. In 1985, Invergordon Distillers acquired Mackinley and the two companies were merged into Whyte & Mackay. In 2014, Whyte & Mackay was sold to Emperador from the Philippines for £ 430 million.
Jura is a whiskey that began to be marketed as single malt in 1974, and the range of products of the company has been steadily growing since then. After the use of peat began, part of the smoky tape was used in the production of the Superstition brand, launched in 2002, and Prophecy, 100% made from peat-smoked malt, first saw the light in 2009.
Jura Origin
Jura Origin is a light and delicate scotch tape with a warm honey aftertaste. Jura's story began with this whiskey, as evidenced by the brand name. Scotch marks the revival of the island distillery and the restructuring of the local commune. That is why each of its bottles on the label carries the ancient Celtic symbol of a new undertaking.
A drink with a strength of 40% for 10 years was aged in bourbon barrels, which gave it a clearly distinguishable style, taste and exceptional structure of whiskey. The price for a 0.7 liter bottle is 35 pounds.
Warm golden radiance with aromas of white American oak and sweet honey has an exquisite, soft and clean taste with delicate shades of oak, followed by caramel and light licorice. In the mouth, the warmth of roasted coffee beans is felt for a long time.
Jura superstition
Locals in the past were very superstitious. This whiskey is a tribute to traditions and the native island, where you can find many stones with ancient symbols applied to them. Everyone who raises a glass with Superstition tape (Superstition) elevates it in memory of the ancient history of Jura.
The rich colors of mahogany with a golden tint have a slight phenolic smell with hints of honey and spices that make up a sweet, slightly smoky bouquet. The tongue feels honey and spices with the nuances of pine and peat.
The 43 percent Superstition matures in the best bourbon barrels. The price is 35 pounds for a 0.7 liter bottle.
Jura Diurachs' Own
This is a sixteen-year-old whiskey, which the population of the island liked the most, which served as the basis for the manufacturer to call it that way. It is its locals - diurachs - who consider it theirs.
A drink with a strength of 40% color of saturated golden amber with the smell of vanilla, honey and ginger has a full-bodied taste of malt with aromas of milk chocolate and orange peel, turning into cinnamon, spices and honey.
Whiskey, which costs 50 pounds for a 0.7-liter bottle, was aged 14 years in American white oak barrels, which used to store bourbon, and two more years in Amoroso sherry containers.
Jura prophecy
It is said that many centuries ago the soothsayer predicted that the last Campbell who would leave the island would not have a penny. In 1938, the prophecy was fulfilled. In memory of this, from each bottle of Prophecy ("Prophecies") the symbol of the soothsayers looks.
A fiery golden liquid with a thin firework of a bonfire slowly gives way to the aromas of salty and spicy sea breezes. The powerful taste of peat smoke and the sea envelops the sky, continuing the tastes of licorice, cinnamon and nutmeg.
Complex, structured, unfiltered whiskey, which is necessary to preserve a peat bouquet, with a strength of 46% ripens in bourbon and sherry barrels from Limousin oak. Price - 56 pounds for 0.7 liters.
Jura elixir
The water of the island has long been considered healing thanks to the legendary blessing of St. Columbus about 1,500 years ago. The islanders are famous for their longevity. There are legends about a man who 180 times met Christmas at home. This is a myth or a fact, but locals can really control the age when it comes to whiskey.
The intense amber shade of the drink is combined with the smell of crushed almonds, pineapple and roasted coffee. Taste of citrus, black toffee and ginger.
"Elixir" with a strength of 40% 12 years is aged in barrels of American white oak and sherry, forming a complex, but soft structure. A 0.7 liter bottle will cost 38 pounds.
Jura brooklyn
Born in the minds of enterprising Brooklyn, scotch tape was the first single malt whiskey in King County. The drink explodes directly aromas of honey, wild berries, bonfire and Brooklyn coffee.
Whiskey with a strength of 42% is aged in barrels of bourbon, sherry and pinot noir. The price is 60 pounds per bottle.
Jura 1984 Vintage
This is a tribute to the most famous visitor to the island, George Orwell, who wrote his eponymous masterpiece here on the island of Jura. 1984 whiskey in honor of an outstanding writer was bottled in 1984.
According to tasters, this is pure autumn gold with aromas of honey, vanilla, ginger, peach syrup and banana baking.
For the preparation of an exclusive batch, the best American white oak barrels were selected, which were then replaced by selected containers from Amoroso sherry. Fortress - 44%. The price is 750 pounds per bottle.
Jura Tastival 2016 Bottling
To enjoy the taste of this adhesive tape, an expert does not need to be. The island of Jura whiskey taste festival on the island is held every year, and a limited edition dedicated to this event is released every year.
Mahogany gold with aromas of creamy caramel, fried hazelnuts, overripe pears and vanilla is combined with the smell of maple syrup, aged oloros and ground almonds. The taste of apples baked with Demerara brown sugar and cinnamon, kiwi and mulled wine. The perfect finish is made up of a combination of dried raisins, glazed pineapples and lemon verbena.
The festival of taste is always an experiment, moving beyond the traditional. By 2016, three special sherry barrels were selected - the 11-year-old Palomino Fino, the 15-year-old Amoroso and the 30-year-old oloroso Apostol. The strength of the drink is 51%. Price - 85 pounds per bottle of 0.7 liters.
Jura 21YO
Although the distillery was revived only in 1963, the production of whiskey began here in 1810. The 200th anniversary of the founding of the factory was decided to celebrate its owners with 21-year-old scotch tape ripening in bourbon and oloroso barrels.
The result is a dark ruby drink with aromas of orange and chocolate, marzipan and walnuts, the taste of cocktail cherries, citrus fruits and licorice.
Scotch tape with a 44% strength was aged in sherry barrels dated 1963 - the year the distillery was restored. The cost of the bottle is 100 pounds.
Jura 30YO
30-year-old single malt whiskey Jura tasters reviews called a real work of art. The bottle shows the ancient stone of Camas an Staca, and not by chance. It symbolizes the passage of time. Scotch, like a stone, patiently waited in the wings. The malt has successfully passed the test of time - just like the Camas an Staca.
The dark walnut color drink is full of scents of sea spray, spicy apples and honey figs. The taste of juicy orange, tart liquorice and sweet pineapple is replaced by tones of sweet cherries, black toffee and dried raisins.
Scotch was aged 27 long years in American white oak barrels, and the last 3 years - in the best oak containers from Amoroso sherry. 44% whiskey is available at a price of 350 pounds per bottle.