It’s time to check out the top of the line in the new Jura core range – The Jura 18 Year Old.

It was matured for 18 in American White Oak ex-bourbon casks and then finished in Premier Grand Cru Classé Bordeaux casks before bottled at 44%. So another wine finish but at least it’s singular and not a mix of different wine casks.

Let’s see how that works out.

Isle of Jura 18 Year Old (44%, €89,90)

Nose: Sour vanilla, lactic, wine tannins, cream, toffee and caramel. After a few minutes in the glass it becomes more winey and with cream, butterscotch and cinnamon. Very gentle and polished nose.

Palate: Sour sweet tropical fruit and vanilla, then first notice of peat smoke and wine tannins, smoldering coals, chocolate, white pepper and slightly drying.

Finish: Short medium finish, dryness, tannins, cacao and lingering sour sweet tropical fruit.

Thoughts: Well, I’m a sucker for tropical fruits in my whisky and I don’t recall such a strong showing for this age bracket with any other whisky I have tasted before. The tropical fruits simply mesmerized me with the vanilla, gentle smoke and spices supporting it. Excellent whisky and for me it’s the best in the new Jura line up.