So, another new expression from Jura. Quite limited This vintage takes its name from the Gaelic word for the Yew tree, which once sprawled across the entire island of Jura. Translated as ‘Juar’, the Yew tree has long been associated with immortality and regeneration, with some even believing it gives access to the “otherworld”.
Filled to cask in 1977, this vintage release was originally matured in three first fill bourbon casks before being finished in a ruby port pipe for 12 months. Only 498 bottles are available, and the price is a hefty £600 a pop, which is totally beyond mortals reach. I am very lucky to be able to try this wee dram. So let’s go.
Isle of Jura 1977 , ‘Juar’ , 46 % , £600
Nose: Starting with wood varnish, mint , then after a few minutes in the glass the nose is revealed with all its glory: sweet notes of vanilla ice cream , caramel with bits of peaches and some more tropical notes of ripe papaya and pineapple with crème Catalan.
Palate: Sweet and spicy. Apricots , sugared kiwi, cinnamon , pepper and liquorice, then off to Vanilla and thick juices and touches of maple.
Finish: Dark chocolate crushed apricot and maple.
the long maturation in addition to the 12 months in port pipes, lend this one a very nice profile, with the old wood and varnish one can expect from over 30 years in oak, and exotic fruits and sweet maple you can expect from the port. Lovely stuff all in all. The only down side is the price and of course again, it’s a pity this kind of dram is bottled only at 46% and not at its natural cask strength, being a limited and expensive dram, i wish watering down would be skipped. Should this have happened, this one would shoot towards the 95 mark easily.
Score: 92/100
official sample provided by W&M
I always wonder why on earth they would put such an old spirit in a Port pipe. Can’t imagine it not being good at first.
Juar does like like a typo for Jura, by the way… 🙂
LOL. indeed funny.
well, they surely have their motives. you can’t say Willie Tait doesnt know his work. maybe the 12 monts in port is to conceal some blemishes in the casks, or maybe just to add a bit of sweeter stuff to the lovely oak goodness.
I wonder why water down 35 year old bliss. it should be already quite low in ABV so you can not make much more profit…