Jameson Caskmates is an intriguing release. Having sent some of their casks to the local craft stout brewers at Franciscan Well, the casks were returned to Midleton where they were subsequently used to give a stout finish to Jameson!
We tasted it before it was available in the UK when we visited Cork just before St. Patrick's Day 2015, and we know that some of the fine folk at Irish Distillers were worried that it may be seen as a bit of a gimmick. Perhaps to an extent it is, but more importantly, it works - a worthwhile experiment that's produced a unique and interesting Irish whiskey.
There's still cut grass and some fruit alongside delicious oily pot still character, but things are different here too. Is it sweeter? A different sweetness perhaps, more wood spice plus chocolate liqueur. A shift of emphasis.
Orchard fruits, great mouthfeel but the vanilla cream is less prominent, it's more fragrant (hoppy?) and floral on the palate with a touch of bitterness.
Again familiar, but different, that different complexion of spice with chocolate from the nose lingers briefly.
An interesting twist on an old favourite, and a great gift for Irish whiskey and stout fans alike!
Extremely smooth whisky! Love the creamy vanilla and oily mouthfeel. I can taste the essence of stout too! The alcohol bite isn’t too bad either. Definitely will be constantly replenished in my personal bar.
Wonderful whiskey lovely with a pint of Guinness smooth taste butterscotch and chocolate comes through for me. Will order again and again .
Wasn't too sure of this to start off with but it has grown on em and is definitely more-ish. It's reminiscent of a particularly rich sherry cask but with coffee undertones. Definitely one to watch out when it's on offer!
Impulse buy at Co-op (reduced to £17) - and I'm surprised - it's excellent. Yes, you can play the 'can I nose/ taste the Stout' game... and you can in the first glass, but after a few sips you get caught up in how easy the stuff is to enjoy without getting Ralfy about it. Definitely creamy, dangerously drinkable. Much better than Greenspot or Westcork port cask, not as good as Yellowspot (in a class of it's own). Quite frankly this outshines most Scotch blends sub £40.
I get a lot of chocolate character in the nose, sweet and bitter scents, and a sweet apple almond mix. Taste has a sweet nuttiness to it, a short and bitter aftertaste, it's different but the same. Hard to define! Not what I expected. It works well
