Jameson Caskmates Stout Edition (2020)
In the world of whisky, unconventional paths often lead to the most exciting discoveries. For years, the Jameson distillery maintained a pragmatic relationship with the neighbouring Franciscan Wells brewery: the disused whisky casks found a second life there for stout maturation. But at some point, the question arose in Midleton as to whether this cycle could also work the other way round. What happens when whisky is allowed to mature in casks that were previously filled with dark stout?
The panel
Mean 69.0 · spread 2
Value for money 4/5
- Distillery
- Midleton
- Type
- Blended Whiskey
- Country
- Ireland
- Strength
- 40% ABV
- Character
- delicate
Tasting
Nose
The first impression is surprisingly lively and green, almost as if you were walking across an Irish pasture while hop fields bloom in the distance. The floral notes are clearly present, accompanied by a hoppy freshness that actually reminds you of a well-brewed craft beer. Then the citrus notes come into play, bright and inviting, like freshly cut lemon peel on a summer morning.
Palate
The Jameson Caskmates Stout Edition is remarkably mild on the palate, almost restrained. A slight hint of roasted malt is noticeable, but it remains subtle and quickly fades into the background. The citrus notes that were so promising on the nose are also found on the palate, but in a much more subdued form. The whiskey glides smoothly over the tongue without any major highs or lows. The texture is soft and accessible, which certainly makes it attractive to beginners. However, we miss the spice, depth and, above all, the characteristic stout notes that one would expect from a finish in former beer casks. Unfortunately, the promised interplay between whisky and beer is absent on the palate or so cleverly hidden that even experienced palates struggle to identify it.
Finish
The finish brings some interesting moments after all. Coffee notes emerge, accompanied by a slight bitterness that is actually reminiscent of dark stout. It is as if the beer heritage of the cask only wants to reveal itself at the very end. A subtle oak spice joins in and gives the finish a certain structure.
Verdicts
Marcel
A whiskey that promises more than it delivers – the nose raises high expectations, but the taste remains polite and tame. For sociable beginner evenings, the Jameson Caskmates Stout Edition is still a pleasant companion, even if the stout note plays more like a shy little mouse.
Sascha
The Jameson Caskmates Stout Edition shows a decent balance and a soft texture, yet the intended interplay between stout and whiskey remains surprisingly vague. Despite its approachable nature, it lacks the depth and characterful complexity that the ambitious connoisseur seeks.
What it is worth
We do not yet hold bottle-level auction results — that sits behind Whisky Hunter’s authenticated feed. What follows is the market for Midleton as a whole, which sets the weather for this bottling without pricing it.
Latest mean bid £342 across 192 lots · 2024-08