Isle of Jura OB vs IB


March 12, 2024

WF's Little Duos, today Isle of Jura
OB vs. IB

Another name we try to taste as often as we can, even if it's only during short sessions like the one we're about to have. On this note, I'd like to point out that the wines of the Jura region in France are only getting better, and if a few years ago it was just a handful of star winemakers propelling the entire region, today the leap in quality seems to be widespread, at least among the true winemakers, from the north to the south of the region. When it comes to chardonnay, the haughty Burgundy should better watch out! But let's return to the Isle of Jura in Scotland…

Jura's typical sense of humour, 2000s (WF Archive)

Jura 'Islanders Expression No2' (40%, OB, 2023)

Alas, only 40%, NAS and tampered with (I mean finished) in a pale ale cask. We're still waiting for an Irn Bru cask finish! In short, the pedigree doesn't inspire much hope, but you never know, especially since the label is pretty. And we do love the place where this baby is distilled... Colour: gold. Nose: well it's not bad at all, it's quite round, pastry-like, and especially with a variety of oils, notably sesame oil and peanut oil. And even, pushing things a little bit, touches of sweet olive oil made with very ripe olives. Some mini-notes of burlap and mustard to remind us that this is a Jura. Mouth: it gets a bit worse but it's still not bad, a bit flavoured indeed, slightly chocolatey, certainly malty enough, becoming more and more 'Jura'. Leather, mustard, salt, bitter oranges. The low strength works quite well, it seems to bring freshness. Finish: medium length, still a bit salty. Some wood and chocolate in the aftertaste, with a very slightly smoky side. Comments: it's frankly rather well done, even if the concept is frightening at the start. As long as they also keep making the 21-year-old, I'm happy.
SGP:552 - 81 points.

Jura 14 yo 2008/2022 (48.4%, Douglas Laing, Old Particular, refill hogshead, cask #DL15584, 319 bottles)

Colour: white wine. Nose: this is proof that Jura can also be pure and pretty crystalline, this time almost entirely on granny smith apples for at least twenty seconds, before more fermentative notes appear, then pepper, then mustard, a bit of curry and ginger, then orange peels, then tobacco and leather, then some... ale. It was well worth organising this little session, huh. Mouth: this time it's pure Jura right away. In no particular order, there's mustard and pepper, lime and apple, leather and foliage, yeast and beer, candied oranges, a simultaneously earthy and salty side, maybe a few discreet exotic fruits... Finish: the same combination, with a nice length. It ends on white peach with amusing hints of tequila and 'funky' rum. Comments: what is admirable here is that this is a pure expression of Jura as the distillers themselves don't quite offer (it seems to me). And this is why we love the indies.
SGP:562 - 85 points.

Check the index of all Glen Spey we've tasted so far