Isle of Jura: Tasting five single malts from 10 to 30 years old

Just a few meters far from Islay, there is an small island with just one hotel, one road and one distillery. It is called Jura.
Being so near Islay one could think that Diurach would embrace a similar style but nothing is most far from truth. With an style on their own Jura whiskies are more citrusy and spicier than Islay single malts although they have also their small measure of peat.

As Jura distillery is going to release really soon a new expresion of their 30 years old whisky: Camas An Staca and they were so nice to send me a sample I decided to retaste the whole range. My previous contact with Jura whiskies was a bit disappointing and after talking with other bloggers about it I came to the conclusion that my miniatures could be corrupted. So I ordered a new set of samples, this time from Master of Malt and proceeded to the tasting as it should be.

So here is the tasting.

The Whiskies

Isle of Jura Origins 10 years old

“Somewhat peated and very floral... after tasting Jura 16yo I am considering that my miniatures of Jura maybe be corrupted.”

85

Off the west coast of Scotland lies a magical island of soft sea breezes, freshly caught lobster and a bank that comes once a week. As good as life used to be. One shop, one pub, one community. One fine malt whisky distillery. A gift from nature. Pure spring water, clean fresh air and generations of tradition quietly crafting a more delicate island malt. Visit the island, meet the people, drink the whisky.

This dram has a amber-like color.

Nose (86): more than average. peat, floral, honey, spices, citrus.

Palate (85): smooth, oily. peat, citrus, spices, pepper.

Finish (85): average. honey, floral, pepper.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Isle of Jura 10 year Origins with 85 points over 100.

Buy this bottle at

Save money when you buy Single Malt Whisky online. Check for the best prices from best online shops below:

• Buy on Drink Supermarket for £27.09
• Buy on The Whisky Exchange for £28.95
• Buy on Master of Malt for £32.90
• Buy on The Drink Shop for £33.06

Isle of Jura Superstition

“Very nice Jura whisky. Peater and more complex than Jura 10yo. Very nice whisky”

89

A union of two Jura malt whisky styles: one bold, strong and peated, the other warm and delicate. This unique whisky is created from the marriage of traditional Islay style peated barley and a selection of aged malts.

This dram has a amber-like color.

Nose (88): more than average. peat, citrus, honey, pepper, vanilla. Better, more like an Islay whisky. I like.

Palate (89): powerful, oily. peat, wood, honey, citrus, earth. Almost great!

Finish (89): longer than average. cocoa, honey.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Isle of Jura Superstition with 89 points over 100.

Buy this bottle at

Save money when you buy Single Malt Whisky online. Check for the best prices from best online shops below:

• Buy on The Drink Shop for £28.62
• Buy on The Whisky Exchange for £37.55
• Buy on Master of Malt for £37.69

Isle of Jura Prophecy

“Very nice Jura whisky! Lovely character with an adorable touch of peat”

89

70cl / 46% / Distillery Bottling - Isle of Jura's 'profoundly peated' Prophecy bottlings are released in small batches and are drier, stronger and smokier than the standard Superstition peated IOJ.

This dram has a amber-like color.

Nose (89): more than average. honey, citrus, floral, vanilla. Superior!

Palate (90): powerful, oily. honey, wood, peat, spices, vanilla, coffee.

Finish (89): longer than average. peat, citrus.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Isle of Jura Prophecy / Peated Island Single Malt Scotch Whisky with 89 points over 100.

Buy this bottle at

Save money when you buy Single Malt Whisky online. Check for the best prices from best online shops below:

• Buy on The Whisky Exchange for £52.55
• Buy on Master of Malt for £54.95

Isle of Jura 16 years old

“The Macallan of the Islands! Powerfully sherried Jura whisky. Really lovely”

91

'With the smoothness of the 10 year-old allied to extra complexity from more ageing, this is a winner. 'A delicious and sophisticated dram with impressive depth and almost perfect weight.' Jim Murray

This dram has a cooper-like color.

Nose (90): more than average. honey, nuts, tobacco, citrus, pepper, floral. Woo! Definitively my miniatures of Jura were corrupted. This 16 years old is fascinating!

Palate (91): powerful, oily. Honey, tobacco, pepper, nuts, vanilla. Outstanding!

Finish (91): longer than average. citrus, nuts.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Isle of Jura 16 year with 91 points over 100.

Buy this bottle at

Save money when you buy Single Malt Whisky online. Check for the best prices from best online shops below:

• Buy on Master of Malt for £48.34
• Buy on The Whisky Exchange for £48.45
• Buy on The Drink Shop for £49.90

Isle of Jura 30 years old Camas an Staca

“Sherry crack! This Jura 30 years old is outstanding.”

90

A terrifying 30 year old whisky from Jura. The name 'Camas an Staca' translates to be simply 'Standing Stone' and refers to one of the 8 ancient stones dotted about the island of Jura.

The whisky has been matured in American oak for 27 years before being finishing in Gonzalez Byass Oloroso butts for 3 years before bottling at 44% ABV. This whisky is quite an experience in itself.

This dram has a tawny-like color.

Nose (90): more than average. floral, honey, nuts, pepper, citrus.

Palate (91): powerful, oily. honey, nuts, wood, tobacco, vanilla, cocoa, citrus.

Finish (90): longer than average. nuts, cocoa.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Isle of Jura 30 Year Old with 90 points over 100.

Miguel says…

From being disappointed to be really impressed. Really the big BIG huge surprise of this tasting has been the Jura 16 years old. Delicious and not so far from the fantastic Jura 30 years old Camas an Staca. If you like sherried whiskies these two are a pair you shouldn’t miss.

Tasted any Jura whiskies? Which one is your favorite?

Share your thoughts! comments written.