10= Isle of Jura Origin, 10 y/o
S= Jura Superstition (NAS)
16= Isle of Jura, Diurach’s Own, 16 y/o
Maker: Isle of Jura, Argyll, Scotland, UK (?) (Whyte & Mackay/United Breweries)
Region: Islands
ABV: 43%
Michigan State Minimum
10: $48
S: $57
16: $71
Appearance (caramel color likely added)
10: New penny with long, well-spaced legs.
S: Slightly darker like a middle aged penny. Extensive necklacing.
16: Even darker. Old amber with long thick legs.
Nose
10: Light clover honey, heather, alcohol, hint of leather.
S: Light peat, alcohol, honey, alcohol.
16: Baklava, oak, alcohol.
Palate
10: Medium bodied. Golden apple, wildflower honey, chamomile tea.
S: Butterscotch, thyme, alcohol.
16: Toffee, butterscotch, vanilla custard.
Finish
10: Orange blossom honey but without any bitterness.
S: Smoke finally comes through followed by burn but it then settles down into a peat-infused sweetness.
16: Dark chocolate covered caramels with a little bitter oak on the tail end.
Parting words: I love mini sets like this, because they enable me to affordably give you the head to head tasting you so love, dear readers.
Isle of Jura (distilled and aged on the Isle of Jura, Islay’s neighbor to the northeast) was one of the first single malts I ever tried. Back then all I could find was the ten year old version. I always found it enjoyable but dull. Tasting it again now hasn’t changed my assessment too much. It’s still mild, but it’s enjoyable enough and works well as an entry level or weeknight malt.
Superstition was one of the first Jura line extensions available in the US. It is mildly peated, which adds a nice extra dimension to the malty, honeyed character of the standard Jura.
The 16 y/o is a big toffee-filled dessert dram. It’s not cheap compared to the others, but it’s more affordable than most single malt whiskies its age. Again, it’s not particularly complex but it does one thing and does it very well. In the state of Michigan it also comes in a gift pack with a pair of glasses (for your whisky, not your eyes), so factor that into the price.
All three are good values and recommended.
Sipology 