Irish Distillers has joined forces with Eight Degrees Brewing to create a second experimental limited edition of the beloved Jameson Crested X. Launching this month, Jameson Crested X Finished in Devil’s Ladder Belgian Tripel Barrels is the latest collaboration between the iconic Irish whiskey brand and its County Cork neighbor, Eight Degrees.
In 2020 Eight Degrees finished their Belgian Tripel craft beer in Jameson sherry casks. Named Devil’s Ladder after the best-known hiking route up Ireland’s tallest peak, the beer “truly takes taste to new heights,” according to the brand.
Now, Jameson returned the favor by selecting a special whiskey to mature in the beer-soaked barrels. After four months of maturation, the result is the latest evolution of Jameson Crested, which features abundant spices, floral hops and sweetness, while the oak and malt work in tandem to add a toasted cereal character.
According to Midleton Distillery Blender Dave McCabe, the nose of the Irish whiskey offers “initial notes of clove spice and cinnamon along with rich caramelised brown sugar and a roasted malt character that complements the sherry casks’ influence of toasted oak and dried fruits.” The palate is “round with abundant spices and a delicate floral hoppy character. The vanilla sweetness comes to the fore with a soft fruit note lingering in the background while the oak and malt work in tandem adding a toasted cereal element to the whiskey. The finished is described as, “Lingering with the spices slowly fading, allowing the sweet nature of the oak and malt to remain until the very end.”
“It’s no secret that the flavours found in beer and whiskey complement each other,” said McCabe. “We are delighted that in recent years our relationship and indeed proximity to Eight Degrees Brewing here in Cork has created a canvas for collaboration and experimentation in this space, both as part of the Jameson Caskmates Series and beyond. The Belgian Tripel beer finish brings a balanced contribution to Jameson Crested, accentuating elements such as sweetness in the form of vanilla and brown sugar, as well as a roasted malt character and elevated clove notes,”
“It was in the spirit of innovation that we decided to rest Devil’s Ladder in Jameson sherry casks, adding sweetness and Christmas cake notes to our Belgian Tripel,” added Daniel O’Shea, Head Brewer at Eight Degrees Brewing. “We are thrilled that the story has now come full circle, with our beer imparting a delicate hoppy character to this iconic Irish whiskey.”
A limited-edition release of fewer than 6,000 bottles, Jameson Crested Finished in Devil’s Ladder Belgian Tripel Barrels will launch in O’Brien’s Wines on April 23, specialist retailers off-licenses from April 26, and select markets through Jameson’s online shop at from April 28. It is priced at €50 ($60 USD) per 70cl bottle.
Last year, Jameson teamed up with Eight Degrees Brewing to release a stout barrel-finished expression of Jameson Crested Irish Whiskey. Back in 2016, the iconic Irish Whiskey brand launched the original no-age-statement Jameson Crested, made from a blend of pot still and grain Whiskeys.