Jameson Original (also known as Jameson Standard) is a blended Irish whiskey from the Midleton distillery in County Cork, the most recognisable Irish whiskey brand in the world. Jameson is a blended Irish whiskey – it combines pot still whiskey with delicate grain whiskey, triple distilled and then matured in oak casks for a minimum of four years. It is bottled at 40% ABV. This set includes a miniature and a glass.
The blend is built on two types of distillate. Jameson is created by combining grain whiskey with single pot still whiskey, which uses a mix of malted and unmalted, "green" barley sourced within a fifty-mile radius of the Cork distillery. The barley is dried in a closed kiln fired by natural gas (formerly anthracite coal), in contrast to the traditional method used at some Scottish distilleries, where the kiln is fired with peat, which imparts a distinct peaty aftertaste. Hence Jameson's profile remains free of smoke. The brand uses local barley from southern Ireland, working with over 200 farmers, and the barley is combined with water from the River Dungourney, which flows through the grounds of the Midleton distillery.
The character of the spirit is shaped by the distillation process and the choice of casks. The grain whiskey is produced in a column still, which distils continuously; it comes from a mix of corn, yeast and water, and after fermentation the mash is likewise distilled three times. Both distillates mature separately in wooden casks – seasoned ex-bourbon casks and seasoned ex-sherry casks – for a minimum of three years, usually longer. Jameson Original primarily uses ex-bourbon oak casks. Distillation in a pot still and in a column still yields two distinct styles: pot still whiskey is spicy, aromatic and full-bodied, while grain whiskey is delicate and floral.
Both components come together in the aroma and flavour. The nose is lightly floral, with peppery notes of wood and sweet accents. On the palate there are spicy notes of caramel with subtle hints of vanilla and almond, and the finish is silky, with notes of sherry and sweet fruit. The colour remains golden, in a honeyed tone. The best way to get to know blended whiskey is to first find your favourite. Jameson Original works well neat, on the rocks and as a base for classic cocktails.