Jura Journey

Sydney Whisky Show May 20th 2023. Whisky #14 Nose: Caramel, butterscotch, vanilla, orange blossom water, dilute honey, pears. Palate: Soft arrival with pear, apple, caramel sauce, milk chocolate, a little honey and a breath of sooty smoke. The development shows malted milk and vanilla fudge balanced by some subtle spice notes (cinnamon) and beeswax. The texture is creamy. Finish: Medium/Short. Stone fruits, orchard fruits and caramel trailing into a pleasantly dry, leafy aftertaste. Journey is the current gateway whisky in the Jura lineup and it’s a cracking good entry-level malt with good balance (if somewhat tilted towards sweetness). There’s nothing at all wrong with this and it would make a great session whisky. The only criticism you can make is that it is simple in profile but for a whisky positioned at this end of the market that is not a fault. For the money this is good value, and it would be an excellent first dram to share with novices just beginning their whisky journey. I bought a bottle on the day for precisely that reason. Not a high scorer, but good solid easy-drinking value. “Above Average” : 80/100 (3 stars)

As an entry level NAS to the Jura range, I think the best I can say is that it’s decidedly OK. There’s an upfront light alcohol hit, reminiscent of an average blend more than a decent Highland malt. It is light overall, with some hinted flavours of vanilla, caramel, fruit and a little spicy smoke. The finish is short with some residual spice and a hint of smoke. None of these flavours are very much at the forefront of the flavour, but rather they all hover around in the background. This is a perfectly drinkable dram. It’s reasonable at the typical discounted supermarket price point of c£22-25ish, but at the RRP at around £10 more there are other, more characterful whiskies that I’d choose over this expression.

On the nose I was hit with a honeysuckle sweetness up front that was followed by marzipan and golden raisins. A dried mango and lemon citrus note cut through to bring an elegant balance. The flavor profile immediately reminded me of almond cake with a light vanilla frosting. Followed by fresh cut citrus which developed into a spicy nutmeg and dried wood chip. The finish is long for me despite a thinner mouth feel. There was a nice lingering oakiness and spice. Whisps of charred wood right at the end left a dryness on the tongue. As if you were tasting a camp fire drifting over from a distant ridge.

Somewhat soft, young nose with notes of vanilla, ocean air, plantain, lemon, bourbon barrel, melon and horchata. On the palate smooth and soft with mostly barley malt and touches of black pepper, orange, smoke, toffee, wood and cinnamon. The finish is long and softly spicy. Overall not bad, but it’s fairly generic. No peat. Ok. Very mild peat.

Despite the flood of negative reviews and, at best, lackluster rebranding (the branding has always been bad in my opinion but still) Journey is surprisingly good. Light smoke, vanilla, almond, and a little bit of coconut in an inexpensive no-age statement from Jura. Nothing ground-breaking by any means, but an easy sipper from a good brand.

First tasting of the evening. A lot of bitterness and alcohol. Alcohol taste and alcohol burning in the mouth. Taste in a bad sense is revealed with an imbalance. Everything is interrupted by the taste of alcohol. A bit of wood in the finish. Very very dry finish. The smell of perfume and lot of alcohol. The nose burns and tickles.