Jameson is celebrating the end of 2021 with the release of Jameson 21 Years. Only 2,301 bottles of the limited-edition Irish whiskey will be made available and can be purchased via an online ballot to mark the end of the year.
Jameson 21 Years is a blend of rare single pot still and single grain Irish whiskeys that were initially matured in a range of ex-bourbon and oloroso sherry seasoned casks at the Midleton Distillery for 18 years. The whiskeys were then blended and re-casked into freshly emptied ex-bourbon barrels for an additional three years. Finally, these casks were married with additional pot still whiskeys that had fully matured for over 21 years in first fill oloroso sherry seasoned wine casks.
“Following an outstanding awards season for the Jameson family, including Jameson 18 Years Bow Street being awarded a Platinum Medal at the 2021 Beverage Tasting Institute, it seemed fitting that we should further mark this success with the launch of an extra special release,” said Jameson Master Distiller Kevin O’Gorman. “This delicious whiskey embodies the craft and creativity for which Jameson has always been renowned.”
On the nose, the whiskey is rich in wood spices with sweet notes of toffee and dairy fudge, while the dried fruits add extra layers of flavor with hints of dates and fig, all wonderfully in balance with the intensity of the pot still spices and floral grain notes. The palate is described as “robust and complex with cinnamon and nutmeg spice to the fore accompanied by the oak’s soft tannins and silky nature of the pot still spirit. Dark berry fruits work in tandem with sweet vanilla and chocolate creating a medley of flavors intertwined with a sherry nuttiness and gentle touches of leather.” The finish lingers with the fruits slowly fading into the background, leaving the oak and spices to have the final say.
Bottled at cask strength 57.2% ABV, the rare Jameson 21 Years will be exclusively available to consumers through two separate online ballots for €310 ($360 USD) per bottle.
The first ballot will open to members of Barrel Club Midleton Distillery at 2pm Irish Saving Time (IST) on Wednesday, November 10 and the second ballot will open to all other whiskey fans at 2pm (IST) on Thursday, November 11. Applicants will have until 6pm (IST) on Wednesday, November 17 to enter the ballot, with shipping to winners beginning in late November.
For your chance to purchase a bottle of Jameson 21 Years and to enter the ballot, head to over to Jameson’s official website.
Last month, Jameson unveiled another limited-edition whiskey, Jameson Black Barrel Proof. It is made from pot still and grain whiskey matured in a combination of American oak, sherry casks, and double charred ex-bourbon barrels to give “an even deeper flavor experience,” says the brand.