Jameson Crested
A rebranded version of one Jameson's best kept secrets, the previously confusingly named Crested Ten, which wasn't ten years old and was hard to find outside of Ireland. Having dropped the "Ten", Crested has now been relaunched internationally.
The first Crested release came in 1963, with Jameson beginning to bottle their own whiskey (rather than selling to bonders) and it's known to have a healthy proportion of pot still whiskey as well as a high proportion of Sherry casks used for maturation (bourbon barrels are also used).
Nose A luscious sweet aroma of maple butter leads with plenty of chalky vanilla and caramelized sugars. Complex Irish pot still fruitiness is present too, with bitter citrus, apple skins and marmalade. Ginger and clove add spice and warmth underneath with a touch of roasted nuts.
Palate Through creamy vanilla and a malty element, there are helpings of gentle sherried fruit, coconut and honey-toffee sweetness. Apricot and peach melba emerge with a touch of milk chocolate among spiced nuts, peppery mint and prickles of pot still spices.
Finish In a long finish, there’s warming honeyed sweetness, mild drying oak spice and a hint of sherry-scorched wood.
Overall The ideal introductory dram, it’s outstanding value for money and utterly delicious in a complex, interesting way.
70 cl bottle
40% ABV
