PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
The Isle of Jura is one of Scotland’s most remote islands, a long, wild, mountainous strip of land off the west coast with fewer than 250 residents, one road, and a single distillery. The island’s whisky history goes back to 1810, and the current Jura Distillery was founded in 1963; it’s now owned by Whyte & Mackay. Jura’s stills are among the tallest in Scotland, at 28 feet, which gives the spirit a lighter, cleaner, more delicate character than its brooding Islay neighbors, and its bottle is shaped like an hourglass, “originally shaped to withstand the roughest of journeys” from the island.
The 18 Year Old sits at the top of Jura’s core range, which was relaunched in 2018. It’s a blend of peated and unpeated spirit, matured for 18 years in American white oak ex-bourbon barrels, and then finished for several months in Premier Grand Cru Classé Bordeaux red wine barriques from the south of France, which adds red fruit, warm spice, and a tannic grip. It’s bottled at 44% ABV (88 proof). As reviewers point out, there’s no sherry cask here: it’s a well-aged bourbon-cask malt with a shot of red wine.
Jura’s tasting notes: “Colour: Rosewood gold. Nose: Bold red fruits, toffee, crème anglaise and cinnamon. Taste: Warm spice and rich black forest fruit, bolstered by cooked raspberries and strawberries and a hint of chocolate.” The distillery summarizes it as “layers of forest fruit, rich caramel and a touch of sea salt.” Retailers add “brandied cherries, Turkish delight, milky coffee and blackcurrant jam” on the palate and “chocolate chip cookies, a touch of hay, orange oil” on the finish.
Reviewers appreciate the fruit but are honest about the weight. Whisky Advocate’s note: “The nose offers chocolate, heather, earthy forest floor, ginger spice, and cherry. The palate is laden with lively fruit, fresh raspberries, and mature oak. Not a lot of ABV to the backbone, but a very tasty balance between red berries, some earthiness, and just a light hint of char. The length is good on a fruity, flavorful finish that shows the beauty of a lighter dram.” Whisky Reviewer (Emma Briones) gave it a C+, finding it “honeyed, with some reddish tones,” “quite light and herbaceous,” with “sweet fragrances of milk chocolate and toasted coffee,” and a palate that “starts with a sweet blow to slowly fade to bitter and spicier notes.” Whisky Unplugged noted that it “may be a little light compared to other 18 year old single malts but it certainly has the most body and warmth of the Jura signature series.”
It’s a light, fruity, easygoing 18-year-old: a gift for people who like soft, red-fruited whiskies, and an accessible entry to the world of age-stated malts. Enjoy it neat, or with a splash of water.
Isle of Jura 18 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky is produced at Jura Distillery on the Isle of Jura, Scotland (Whyte & Mackay), from peated and unpeated spirit distilled in 28-foot stills, aged 18 years in American white oak ex-bourbon barrels, and finished in Premier Grand Cru Classé Bordeaux red wine barriques. 44% ABV / 88 proof, 750ml.
Whisky Advocate:
“The nose offers chocolate, heather, earthy forest floor, ginger spice, and cherry. The palate is laden with lively fruit, fresh raspberries, and mature oak. Not a lot of ABV to the backbone, but a very tasty balance between red berries, some earthiness, and just a light hint of char. The length is good on a fruity, flavorful finish that shows the beauty of a lighter dram.”
Emma Briones, Whisky Reviewer — C+:
“On the nose... it is quite light and herbaceous, with white grape notes. There are also sweet fragrances of milk chocolate and toasted coffee... The finish is a bit lengthy, with chocolate notes and a light touch of smoke.”
Whisky Unplugged:
“It may be a little light compared to other 18 year old single malts but it certainly has the most body and warmth of the Jura signature series.”
Jura (tasting notes):
“Colour: Rosewood gold. Nose: Bold red fruits, toffee, crème anglaise and cinnamon. Taste: Warm spice and rich black forest fruit, bolstered by cooked raspberries and strawberries and a hint of chocolate.”
Nose
Rosewood gold. Bold red fruit, toffee, crème anglaise, and cinnamon, with chocolate, heather, and a hint of sea salt.
Palate
Warm spice and black forest fruit, with cooked raspberries and strawberries, brandied cherry, milky coffee, and a hint of chocolate.
Finish
Fruity and gently drying, with chocolate, orange oil, a touch of hay, and a hint of smoke.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Style | Island Single Malt Scotch Whisky — Red Wine Finished |
| ABV / Proof | 44% ABV / 88 Proof |
| Age | 18 Years |
| Casks | American white oak ex-bourbon; finished in Premier Grand Cru Classé Bordeaux barriques |
| Distillery | Jura — Isle of Jura, Scotland (Whyte & Mackay) |
| Critics | Whisky Advocate reviewed; Whisky Reviewer C+ |
| Style / Identity | A light, fruity, red-wine-finished island malt with forest fruit and caramel |
| Aromas & Flavors | Forest fruit, cooked raspberry, caramel, toffee, crème anglaise, cinnamon, chocolate, sea salt |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
Enjoy neat, or with a few drops of water.
Bottle Size: All bottles are 750ML/700ML unless otherwise noted.
21 and Over: Adult Signature Required
Your cart is empty
Start shopping
