Jura Sample Pack, Again: Journey, 10yo, Seven Wood Single Malt Scotch no-notes reviews

A good two years ago I tasted through a set of the Isle of Jura Single Malt Scotch Whisky Range ( • (Old) Isle of Jura Sam... ). And I thought they were... fine? The main problem being, they'd actually completely reshuffled that range just before I'd reviewed them. Today I've got a set composed of that new range, so let's talk about what's there now - and what isn't - and give them some reviews.
Even on the surface, it doesn't look good. Those peated versions I adored (especially the Prophecy - see • Springbank Substitutes... ) are gone, gone, gone, albeit everything that's left keeps promising variations on "subtle smoke." In place of the charming old Superstition we've got a cheap NAS called the Journey, and in place of the delightful 16 there's another NAS called the Seven Wood which has six more woods than before. And everything's been dropped to 40%, save that Seven Wood... which is at 42%. Is it mind-boggling why Whyte & Mackay would kneecap their own range like this? Yes, absolutely. But Jura at its best is also one of the most distinctive Scotch distillates out there - think of a dog soaked in premium lager smearing yogurt and chimney soot into some fresh bread dough - so I... kind of have to know. And, well, stats:
- Jura "Journey" Single Malt Scotch Whisky (NAS; ex-bourbon casks; bottled circa 2021; 40% ABV), 79/100
- Jura 10 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (ex-bourbon, finished in sherry butts; bottled circa 2021; 40% ABV), 82+/100
- Jura "Seven Wood" Single Malt Scotch Whisky (NAS; ex-bourbon casks finished in Vosges, Jupilles, Les Bertranges, Allier, Tronçais, and Limousin; bottled circa 2021; 40% ABV), 79/100
It's not all bad: the 10 at least is cheap here in Chicago at forty bucks, which is a hella better value than your usual Glenfiddich. It's even got some weird oxidative wine notes (think fino sherry or, well, Jura whites). But in the sea of other malts out there it's just bound to get lost. Doubly so for the fruity, pleasant, and completely forgettable Journey. Meanwhile the Seven Wood, upon reading what that tiny type actually says, is just ex-bourbon plus a bunch of different kinds of French oak - i.e. you're paying seventy-five bucks for what are almost certainly a bunch of reconditioned ex-wine casks. Which isn't the worst deal in malts these days, but still. Nothing whatsoever has got gentle smoke.
Less outright crap than just kind of lame, then. While tasting this range I couldn't help but think of the Ledaig 18 (see • Ledaig 18yo Single Mal... ) I had been dipping into the night before, and about what it takes to pull a poorly regarded (but interesting) distillery up to the status of a fan favorite.
Extra special thanks to my Different Spirits on Patreon ( / differentspirits ) -
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