I haven’t been to the isle of Jura, but I have laid eyes on it on my way to Islay. As my eyes traced its shorelines, traumatic memories of abused tastebuds resurfaced. Nearly a decade ago, before my serious interest in whisky took off, I shared a Jura tasting set with a friend. I can’t remember which Juras it included apart from Superstition, which in my memory has remained the most unpalatable whisky I’ve ever tasted (excluding one which had had a teabag steeped in it…).
Since then I’ve mostly stayed away from Jura. But now my curiosity has lead me back. Apparently, Jura is the best-selling single malt in the UK (Malt Whisky Yearbook, 2023). Are the brits self-masochists or is Jura not actually the rat poison I’ve treated it as? And could a well-aged, independently bottled Jura (something I’ve never tried before) be quite decent, actually?
Today I’m discovering the answers to these cosmically important questions. I got my 4cl samples of Jura 12 and Superstition from Home of Malts for €7 and €6, respectively, and my 2cl sample of 22yo Jura from Harry’s malt shop at Limburg whisky festival for €7.
Jura 12yo
Type: Single malt
Bottled by: Official
Age: 12yo
ABV: 40%
Cask type: Ex-bourbon barrel + Oloroso finish
Unchillfiltered / Nat. Colour: No
Typical price: €38 (Germany, July 2023)
WhiskyBase ID: WB213980 (possibly different batch)
Review sample: 4cl bought from HomeOfMalts
Experience ⚡
The nose has pine resin and dark rye bread at the fore, with some herbs (rosemary, thyme) and walnuts, in addition more generic impressions of sherry and light peat. The palate lands rather flat with the low ABV, but in style is true to the nose, playing on herbaceous, piney, and lightly smoky themes. While the taste is not overly sweet, the sweetness that’s there is too sugary. The sherry notes get more play in the medium finish.
Thoughts 💡
The “green” nose is characterful and cohesive. This could be a great whisky, but the palate falls short, which may be more due to the presentation (low ABV, caramel colouring) than the inherent qualities of the whisky.
Decent✔️
Jura Superstition
Type: Single malt
Bottled by: Official
Age: Not stated
ABV: 43%
Unchillfiltered / Nat. Colour: No
Typical price: €40 (discontinued)
WhiskyBase ID: WB103147 (possibly different batch)
Review sample: 4cl sample bought from HomeOfMalts
Experience ⚡
Smells like pine wood and forest floor; green apples and unripe mango, cut green grass — overall quite green and sour notes. I smell walnuts and cooked vegetables that sit a bit uneasily with a prominent vanilla. As compared to the 12yo, there is more vibrancy in the palate, but it is relying mostly on piney and tart flavours, with some sweetness that is not well integrated. A light peat is there and grows over time together with a bitter taste.
Thoughts 💡
With the wide selection of whisky out there, I can’t see why we should ever choose this one. The rough, woody, green, sour notes are not unpleasant, and at first even fun to engage with, but they quickly become tedious and the dram does not sustain my interest or enjoyment.
Uninteresting💤
Jura 22yo (Douglas Laing)
Type: Single malt
Bottled by / series: Douglas Laing / Old Particular
Age / Vintage: 22yo / 1992
ABV: 47.9%
Cask type: Refill hogshead
Unchillfiltered / Nat. Colour: Yes
Typical price: €160 (Germany, July 2023)
WhiskyBase ID: WB58987
Review sample: 2cl sample bought from MaltHarry
Experience ⚡
First impression on the nose is herbaceous and perfumed/musky; then juicy steak with café de Paris butter, and pickle brine. There is an initially grassy note that turns into meadow, as water reveals floral notes not initially present. In the palate that the peat becomes prominent and combines with the herbal accent into a tobacco and cigar flavour, along with some tomato vine and a chlorine note. The finish is quite drying, but with a satisfying herbal flavour.
Thoughts 💡
This whisky made me feel something: like I was standing alone in a Swedish summer meadow late at night. I wasn’t too far from shedding a tear out of some diffuse nostalgia. The whisky is earthy and a bit raw — not what I usually go for — but if I had a bottle to enjoy over time, it could become a personal favourite.
Great Quality ⭐
These Juras really spanned the gamut from forgettable to formidable. A year ago there was a brief moment where I had the chance to buy a ~27yo independently bottled Jura for £130, but I hesitated because of my past experience I let the opportunity slip. Now I regret it!
After the above reviews, in listening to an episode of good ol’ Ralfy he broached the topic of Jura:
“So this is Jura– Jura is a fabulous distillery, lots of walnuts and dark malt notes in Jura – the real Juras, the old-school Juras. “
Ralfy – BothyLive June 21st 2023
Ah, the old-school Juras, that I can now believe is something grand! Also, I’m quite pleased that my rather specific tasting note of walnuts finds independent verification.
DuckDrams 
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