I like Jameson. I buy it, I drink it, I mix with it, I share it with friends, but I can’t say that I’ve actually LOVED a bottle of Jameson… till now. The Jameson Black Barrel is fantastic stuff. It’s not quite as monumental as the Barry Crockett Legacy, but it’s working its way up there and as far as blended Irish whiskey goes it just might be my favorite, readily accessible, blend on the market.
Like the main Jameson releases, and as previously stated, the Black Barrel is a blend, but it’s comprised of a much higher amount of single pot still whiskey which is aged in re-charred bourbon barrels and uses a “rare small batch grain whiskey” for the blending. There’s no real way for me to verify that the grain whiskey used in this is any different than the regular grain whiskey they use, but the quantity of single pot still whiskey is easy enough to verify. Tasted next to the Jameson 12 year it’s very apparent that we’re dealing with a much greater quantity of SPS which makes for a richer tastier whiskey.
Jameson Black Barrel Review
ABV: 40%
Age: NAS
Price: $60*
Distiller: Midleton
EYE
Golden straw
NOSE
Grassy malt, caramel, butterscotch and a light fruit lazily make their way out of the glass followed by some nice lemony citrus and a touch of spice. There is a hint of wood and some coppery undertones from the single pot still. From the nose alone it’s easy to tell that there’s a good amount of single pot still in this whiskey.
PALATE
Caramel, toffee, malt and a pronounced fruit work their way across the palate. Some nice warm woody notes pick up and the spice from the nose morphs into being more cinnamon driven with a tiny bit of vanilla and lemony citrus. Like on the nose some coppery notes come through and it’s easy to taste that wonderful single pot still character.
FINISH
Big malty ending mixed with fruit and wood that goes on and on.
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Good balance with a full body and a soft creamy texture.
OVERALL
Wow I love this stuff, but then I’m a big Irish whiskey fan and anytime I get a good strong dose of that wonderful single pot still character it puts a big ole’ grin on my face. I can honestly say that I have finally found MY Jameson. The one that I’ll be stocking in my home bar. From the rich malty caramel nose to the creamy palate and malty finish it’s just plain delicious.
SCORE: 86/100
I’ve been a Bushmills and Tullamore Dew drinker for a long time. However, I have just had my first Jameson Black Barrel, and it now tops my list to look for, when it’s time to restock.
It’s darn good stuff. Cheers!
I’m looking for Christmas present for my grandad. He enjoys whiskey, particularly Jameson, so I’m looking to buy him either the Crested or Black Barrel. Which would you recommend, as he’s not had either before. I don’t know what particular flavours he likes in a whiskey, but hopefully you have some advice. Thank you!
If I had to pick between the two I would go with the Crested. It’s a bit harder to find, a bit richer in profile and just an all-around good whiskey. The Black Barrel is no slouch either, so you can’t go wrong with either, but snag the Crested if you can! Cheers Elena!
I like just about anything smoked. Meat,fish and especially bourbon. The last few years I branched out to some high rye bourbons and some aged tequila A customer gave me a bottle Jameson Black and boom I have a new favorite. I cannot even swallow regular Jameson so please advise me what to try next with that in mind.
thanks
OOh, if you like the Black Barrel I’d recommend moving into full single pot still territory and give the Red Breast line a try. Cheers jnobfan!
Just spent the last five+ hours reading your reviews to see where I should expand my love of Irish Whiskey. Red Breast 12CS is still my fav.
Saw your review of Jameson Black Barrel and concur. Mmmm, mmmm, good.
Why does the last line of your review give it a 91/100 and the photo show a rating of 86??? Which is correct? Inquiring minds need to know.
All because of our good friend the typo. A while ago I had a different scale and it was more confusing and just… well.. annoying. So I’ve been fixing posts as I go and I missed the correction here… Anyways, cheers Mike!
I always enjoy looking at your reviews while trying a new whiskey. You always seem to pinpoint a note I couldn’t put my finger on. As soon as I read this I was like “butterscotch on the nose! That’s what it is.”
Josh, once again I find myself thanking you for your dedication and sacrifice (of your liver) to separate the delicious from the swill. Each time my wife comes home from a shopping spree at Homegoods I feel justified in a new purchase. Yesterday it was a bottle of Jameson Black Barrel, and what a fine purchase it was at $34. Fantastic whiskey and the newest addition to my already overburdened Whiskey Cabinet.
Ha, you’re welcome Tony. Glad you’re enjoying it and giving it nice home. Cheers man!
I’ve just finished my first bottle of Jameson Black Barrel. I’m a usually bourbon drinker, but this Jameson is in my top 5 !. Very good review.
It’s excellent stuff! Cheers Roman!
Former Bushmill man that was given a bottle of Jameson Black Barrel for Christmas and will NEVER go back.
The only Bushmills that compare to this are the 16 and 21 but they also cost a lot more. This is a heck of a value! Cheers Gary.
I’m in agreement with Josh. Although, in Utah I can’t buy it as cheaply as you guys do ($45.00/750 ml) it is very good. I might add, if you want a great Old Fashion try making it with the Black Barrel! I use to us our local High west “Double Rye” but the Jameson is way better!
I do have a question for you Josh. Why only rate this at a 91? I would be curious what whiskey’s you rate the highest.
Hey Mike,
Never tried it in an Old Fashioned, I’ll have to give it a go. As for the 91 it’s a pretty good score. I’ve had tons of whiskey that were better than it and my two highest rated whiskeys so far are Russell’s 98 and the Bowmore Bicentenary. Cheers!
Just picked up a bottle of this and agree it is very good. I’ll buy it again for sure. I noticed the bottle no longer says “Special Reserve”. Anyone know if the new Black Barrel ls the same as the old? I’m afraid the new bottle is not the only change. Still, this is a really great whiskey.
I had it from the new bottle recently and it tasted really good. I think it’s just a labeling change.
Compared Black Barrel side by side with RedBreast 12. For the money, even though it is blended, the Black Barrel is very comparable. $21 price difference…lots of Pot Still flavor and only a slight touch from the grain whiskey…it’s a wonder in my book. Black Barrel is A tremendous value in comparison to Redbreast (which is also incredible at the price point).
You’re not going to hear any disagreement from me Ben. 100% agree Black Barrel is a crazy good deal in Irish Whiskey with an excellent character.
This is a great whisky. Incredible creaminess. Very impressed. Honeyed vanilla goodness!
I picked up a bottle of this based on a store owner’s recommendation. So, I decided to check out some online reviews while I was sampling it this evening. I’m not a big fan of regular Jamison Irish whiskey, but it works well for making a rusty nail cocktail with Drambui. However, I have to say that for the $35 I paid for Jameson Black Barrel, it’s very good. Great review Josh. I will definitely be buying this again.
Cheers Jeff. For $35 this is a hard Irish to pass up. One of my go-tos for sure.
Surprisingly, just found a fifth of Black Barrel for $37 at my local supermarket. Slainte! (It is as great as you say.)
Oh that’s a great price Vince. Cheers!
Just picked up two for $29.99 apiece. Very tasty stuff, especially at that price.
That’s a crazy good price. Cheers!
I love the Black Bush as well! The smoothness and the sherry influence is fantastic. I have seen the Jameson Black Barrel priced for $35.00. Will be purchasing it next.
For $35 that’s one heck of a steal. Cheers!
$37 Chicago area major chain.
That’s for the Jameson Black Barrel
Good old Binny’s :)
I’m the kind of person that gets into things comprehensively. So, as soon as I discovered a fondness for Irish whiskey, I had to try every available one, from 2Gingers to Barry Crockett Legacy. After trying every Irish whiskey available on the Internet in America, and a few outside of it, I’ve settled on the Black Barrel as my daily drink.
I swear, it is so smooth yet so flavorful.
If someone who doesn’t drink whiskey much comes over and says, I want to try this Irish whiskey stuff, I’ll probably pour the Green Spot, as it’s about as smooth and beginner-friendly as it gets. If I’m going to a party and there will be some moderately knowledgeable-about-whiskey people there, I might bring the Powers John’s Lane or the Redbreast CS. If I’m with my whiskey bros, I’ll bring the Yellow Spot or Midleton Very Rare.
But night after night when I’m home and wanting my nightly spirit, I always go for the Black Barrel. For the price, there is not a better value or drink, in my opinion. And if you shop online at Cappy’s or Amity, you can get the liter bottle, including shipping, for under $50, which is a DEAL.
You probably see I’m inclined toward single pot still Irish over the Bushmills and Tullamore Dews. It’s my bias and I own it.
I’m there with you. I think this stuff is great! Cheers!
Oh boy, black bush sounds more like…a porn movie…but okie dokie, I’ll take your word it’s great ummm…bushy stuff–for those with certain, peculiar tastes… 8D