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Looking for an updated Jameson Price guide? Jameson is a blended Irish Whiskey produced by the Irish Distillers subsidiary of Pernod Ricard. Jameson whiskey was originally produced at the Jameson Distillery Bow St.
It is now distilled at the New Midleton Distillery in County Cork. Jameson Irish Whiskey has been sold internationally since the 19th century.
It is the best-selling Irish Whiskey in the world and is available in more than 120 countries. In 2019 annual sales surpassed eight million cases.
History of Jameson
John Jameson began distilling Irish Whiskey at the Bow Street distillery in 1780. The family business was taken over by his son John JamesonIIin1805 at Bow St.
Two of his sons William and James opened a distillery at Marrowbone Lane in Dublin (William Jameson & Co).
The Jamesons established themselves as the major Whiskey distilling family in Ireland and by 1805 Jameson had become one of the world’s largest producers of whiskey producing 1,000,000 gallons annually.
In the 1900shistorical events had a significant impact on Jameson’s production. The Temperance Movement had a great impact domestically but the main events to affect production was the Irish War of Independence and Prohibition in the United States.
The War of Independence led to a trade war with the British that denied Jameson the export markets of the Commonwealth. During prohibition in the United States Jameson lost its biggest market for many years.
Scottish brands gained an advantage as they were able to slip across the Canada- US border. In 1966 the Irish Distillers Group was formed with the merging of Jameson, Cork Distillers, and John Powers.
Irish Distillers opened the New Midleton Distillery outside Cork in 1976 resulting in the closure of Jameson in Bow Street.
Midleton distillery now produces the majority of Irish Whiskey sold in Ireland under the Jameson, Midleton, Powers, Redbreast, Spot, and Paddy labels. In 1988 the French drinks conglomerate Pernod Ricard bought Irish Distillers thus acquiring the Jameson brand.
The old Bow Street distillery no longer produces whiskey on site but is now a museum that offers tours and tastings.
Since the 1990s sales have increased substantially. In 1996 it passed 1 million cases (12x 750ml bottles) and 3 million cases in 2010. 2019 was a record-breaking year with sales exceeding 8 million cases.
How Jameson Irish Whiskey is Made
Jameson whiskey is made by blending pot still whiskey made from both malted and unmalted barley or “green barley”, with grain whiskey. Both are distilled 3 times.
The barley used is sourced from farms located within 50miles of the distillery in Cork. The malted barley is dried in a heat exchanger, where it is then combined with the unmalted barley and warm water from the Dungourney River to make “wort”.
The wort is mixed with yeast and the fermentable sugars are converted to alcohol. The resulting wash has an AVB of 10-12% and is transferred to copper pot stills where it is distilled three times.
After the third distillation, the resulting alcohol which is approximately 84.4% AVB is called“New Make Spirit”
Water from the Dungourney River is added to reduce the alcohol to 63.3% AVB and then placed in American oak bourbon barrels, or Spanish sherry barrels. The whiskey in the barrels is matured for between 5 to 7 years.
Amash consisting of roughly 80% corn and 20% barley is processed through column stills to produce the grain whiskey that is blended with the pot still whiskey to make Jameson. The grain whiskey is triple distilled and matured for a minimum of 4 years.
A whiskey can only be classed as an Irish Whiskey if it’s been distilled, and then matured for a minimum of 3 years in Ireland. On reaching the desired maturity the pot still and grain whiskey are blended utilizing a process known as “marrying”.
Jameson Prices, Variations, and Sizes
Jameson Irish whiskey is a blended whiskey that has increased sales substantially since it was bought by Pernod Ricard in 1988. Although it is produced in Ireland the majority of its production is sold to other countries worldwide.
There are several different variants of Jameson Whiskey available catering to different tastes and quality and at varying and relevant prices.
Jameson Irish Whiskey
Jameson whiskey is a triple distilled blended whiskey that is well balanced and smooth with tastes of nutty and vanilla notes with hints of sweet sherry. It can be enjoyed neat or with a dash of water.
Is also used for making many excellent cocktails.
Jameson Caskmates Stout Edition
A conversation between Jameson’s Head of Whiskey Science and the Head Brewer of a local craft beer resulted in Jameson Caskmates Stout Edition which is a triple distilled blended Irish whiskey that has been finished in Irish craft-beer-seasoned barrels.
The touch of hops and cocoa beans from the beer casks complements the sweet smooth taste of the pot still whiskey.
Jameson Caskmates IPA Edition
Jameson IPA Edition is a triple distilled pot still whiskey that is finished in IPA (Irish Pale Ale) seasoned beer barrels for floral, crisp amplified citrus tastes with hints of hops.
Jameson Black Barrel
Black Barrel is a blended whiskey with a greater amount of pot still whiskey in comparison to the main Jameson release. The whiskey is aged in re-charred bourbon barrels which makes for a richer tastier whiskey with a full body and soft creamy texture.
Jameson Coopers Croze
Coopers Croze is part of the Whiskey Makers Series that celebrates the craft of Jameson’s Head Cooper Ger Buckley. Coopers Croze is a blend of single pot still whiskies from first and second-fill bourbon and sherry casks.
The grain whiskey was matured in virgin American Oak. Is pleasant to drink with a thick malty sweetness.
Jameson Blender’s Dog
Blender’s Dog is a tribute to the craft of Master Blender Billy Leighton at Jameson and the tool he uses to remove samples from whiskey barrels. Irish Distillers describes the taste as delivering butterscotch sweetness with a prickle of spice and Tannin.
Jameson 18 Year Old Limited Reserve
Jameson 18 Year Old Limited Reserve is aged for a minimum of 18 years and is blended with selected pot still and grain whiskies that have been aged in sherry casks and finished for six months in first-fill ex-bourbon casks.
It has been discontinued but can be found at some retail outlets.
Jameson Gold Reserve
Gold Reserve is blended from a grain whiskey aged mainly in ex-bourbon casks and three different pot still whiskies.
Of the pot still whiskeys one is aged in virgin American oak for 8-10 years, one in bourbon casks for 10-20 years, and one in sherry casks for 10-12 years.
The Jameson Gold Reserve was discontinued in 2017. It remains a favorite among Irish whiskey enthusiasts who had the privilege of tasting it. Gold Reserve can still be obtained at selected outlets.
Jameson Rarest Vintage Reserve
Crafted from Jameson’s oldest and rarest whiskey. It’s a combination of pot still and very old grain with whiskey matured in a sweet port pipe. A complex, fruity and sweet tasting blend that can be rated as one of the best Irish whiskeys available.
Average Retail Prices for Jameson Whiskey
| Name | Proof | Size | Average Price |
| Jameson Irish Whiskey | 80 | 750ml | $22 |
| 1 L | $28 | ||
| 1.75 | $38 | ||
| Caskmates IPA Edition | 80 | 750ml | $28 |
| Caskmates Stout Edition | 80 | 750ml | $27 |
| Jameson Black Barrel | 80 | 750ml | $30 |
| Jameson 18 Year Old Limited Reserve | 80 | 750ml | $120 |
| Jameson Coopers Croze | 86 | 750ml | $65 |
| Jameson Blender’s Dog | 86 | 750ml | $65 |
| Jameson Rarest Vintage Reserve | 92 | 750ml | $325 |
Jameson Alternatives/Comparisons
The popularity of Irish Whiskey is increasing at a rapid rate worldwide. Due to its smooth sweet taste, it is the perfect entry-level for people who are looking to develop a taste for whiskey.
Here is a list of alternative Irish whiskey that is recommended to continue your journey into the world of Irish Blended Whiskey.
- Bushmills
- Powers Gold Label
- Tullamore Dew
- Clontarf 1014
- 2 Gingers
How to Drink Jameson Irish Whiskey
Jameson Irish Whiskey is best served neat at room temperature in a tulip-shaped or wide-brimmed glass to experience all the flavors and promote a smooth drinking experience. A small amount of water can be added.
You can drink Jameson over ice but it must be noted that cooling the whiskey down will mute the flavors and dilute it.
Jameson has become popular for mixing into cocktails and works best in Irish whiskey cocktails specifically suited to the mellow flavor of Jameson. A few examples are:
- Irish Sour (Jameson Whiskey Sour) – Jameson, lemon juice, and syrup.
- Irish Mule –Jameson, ginger beer, and lime juice.
- Classic Irish Coffee – Jameson, coffee, and whipped cream.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is Jameson a good whiskey for beginners?
Jameson is a reasonably priced good entry-level whiskey that I would recommend people to try as it is easy and smooth tasting and will give them a good introduction to what they are getting into.
2. What’s better scotch or Irish whiskey?
Scottish whisky will have a stronger aroma and taste due to the barley used being dried with peat moss smoke. Irish whiskey is smoother with a neutral taste making it easier to use as a mixer in cocktails.
Scotch whisky is distilled twice and Irish whiskey is distilled three times which again lends to a smoother more mellow taste. It is a matter of preference and what characteristics and flavors you want from a whiskey.
3. Is Jack Daniels an Irish whiskey?
No. Jack Daniels is a Tennessee whiskey. Irish whiskey is triple distilled and blended using malted barley whereas Jack Daniels is made from a match made from at least 51% corn.
Interesting Facts
John Jameson the distillery’s namesake and founder was a Scottish legal clerk in Alloawhere he was born in 1740. He was married to Margaret Haig in 1768. She was the eldest daughter of John Haig the famous whisky distiller in Scotland.
The Jameson distillery did not sell Jameson by the bottle until 1968. From its inception, the whiskey had been sold exclusively by the cask.
