Jura Origin 10 Year

Rating: 14/23 I think I've heard mostly negative things about Jura, but I've never tried it before, so I'll maintain some hope. N: Sweet and clean, then a bit of vegetation mixed with honey comes in. It's not quite manuka honey, but it's kind of around there. Some minerality and a bit of spiciness that's predominantly peppery. Light overall and not very interesting, but there's some stuff going on, especially with that interesting vegetal mix with honey. Just a touch of raw chicken breast belying youthfulness. P: Clean and sweet with honey and minerals backed by a spicy layer that mostly burns but isn't harsh. There's a light bitter earthiness to it that isn't quite vegetal. That earthy vegetal whatever merges with a touch of malt and faint grassiness. There is a mild red fruit layer here that's ever so slightly juicy. Very faint brioche. It's a bit empty in a way that reminds me of Paul John Christmas Edition 2020, but without the big smoky dry layer. F: Clean and mildly sweet creek water with a faint earthiness and memories of spicy burn. - Conclusion - I honestly was expecting this to be bad and it just isn't. It's nothing all that memorable, but it's totally fine and it brings a little bit of scotch funk in without doing so in a way that is likely to be especially off-putting. I think this is solid competition for Compass Box Artist's Blend (13/23). Having to pick a winner, I would choose this. It reminds me a bit of my bottle of Cadenhead's Tullibardine 25 (19/23), but this definitely isn't on the same level as that is. This honestly tastes a lot like a less good version of that. This is less full, nuanced, and mature, but it's honestly pretty solid. Side by side with the Tullibardine, I do get some alcohol coming out of this and this is also thinner and less cohesive. I'm considering anything in the 14 to 17 range for this. Choosing now, I'd go for a 16. Coming back to this, I think I overrated this the first time because I was just show shocked by how not awful it was. Now, I'm placing it right between Compass Box Artist's Blend (13/23) and Knappogue Castle 12 (15/23) in a side by side. I guess that means I should go with a 14. Still very respectable and better than I expected to be giving this, but not something I'm excited to drink. And I can understand it getting lower ratings because it is a very subdued, subtle dram. Some might even call it muddled.

Ok, it is confirmed, Jura IS THE BRAND. This is my second Jura after Superstition, and it is fantastic. On the nose it offers a lot of classic aromas, but i havent perceived this combination on any whisky before. You will find Plum and prunes at first, then Lemon and orange, some serious citrus notes there. After the first taste your nose will open to perceive Nuts, Vanilla from tree (like smelling the tree itself) and Cocoa (i know it should be coffee since the official nosing says it, but for me, that is cocoa). On the palate what dominates is an Amazing spicy flavor. Starts fruity and nutty, very pleasant. Body is kind of rare, not thick but not light either. Very Woody. Caramel is also present. Finish is long an full of almonds and hard mint (like the ones you get from a restaurant to fix your breath after a meal).  Beautiful beautiful whisky. My second Jura, second success with this brand. As soon as i get to a foreign liquor store, im grabbing more of these beauties.

Side-by-side tasting review of a three sample pack - Jura 10 Origin, Jura Superstition and Jura 16Yr (Diurachs). Haven’t heard glowing reviews for this distillery but I got the three-pack sample for a measly $5 so I figured, why not. Here we go! Sample one of three Nose - brash, youthful ethanol. My very whiskey-novice friend described the nose this way “it singed my nose”. I did get soft notes of citrus, caramel, and light vanilla. Palate - malted caramel. Rough alcohol edges. More citrus and vanilla. A lot of rough edges on this one A little water and time in the glass brings out more vanilla & caramel. Bourbon cask on full display. Finish is short. Overall, forgettable. Side-by-side score = 3 of 3.

Nose - sour apple, peach, lemon zest, honey, dry grass, floral notes, malty grain, sweet vanilla, subtle cinnamon, moderate ethanol burn. Taste - honey, chocolate, sour apple, tannic dry grass, cereal grain, lemon zest, peach, hint of caramel, floral notes, moderate to high alcohol bite, finishing fast with mostly sour fruit, bitter grassy, floral, and hot young alcohol flavors. While I find this to be reasonably serviceable, I’m not very impressed. Some aspects of the nose and palate are nice, but the fruit is too sour, the grass is too bitter, and it generally does not integrate the components very well. It would probably be improved with more time in the barrel.

First tasted 2017-09-03. I got hold of a 100ml bottle on 3/30/2021 for $4 so I decided to review it again. Color: 5. Darker gold with a hint of brown, like weak iced tea. Body: 5. A little bit thin Aroma: 6. Fruit, Floral. Not very strong but smooth and easy Flavor: 6. Above Average. Light Fruit. Mellow, not very complex. Smooth and easy to drink. Reminiscent of Johnnie Walker Red Label. Opinion: 6. Fairly enjoyable but not too exciting. At 40% it's smooth and easy to drink. (I'm pretty sure that the 2017 version I originally tasted was 43% ABV. Bottle verdict: Don't buy, because it is not interesting enough

My second travel retail Jura and this is also by now discontinued to give way for another 10yo of theirs. This one had a palpable nose of blossoms and orchard fruits, mainly autumn apple. The fumes were more gentle with this one. On the palate there was a quick but full feel of hazelnut and then oak which is then joined by plenty of cereal notes and malted barley. Finish continued with some more cereal notes and dark chocolate, rounded off with a hint of tannins, that orchard apple and salt. Rather light spirit and the notes are also light. Instagram: Mr.LJWhisky