Jura: what is the deal?

[hemicellulose]

So, I recently had the opportunity to try Jura 10 and 16. I know that malt has some fanatical opponents. I'm not keen to hear about that specifically. Actually, I found those bottles to have something unique and enjoyable (think of me what you will for that). However, I'd put them in the category of "almost great" malts.

My issue with the 10 reminded me many ways of how I felt about Aberlour 16. With the Aberlour, the nose was the most heavenly fragrance, promising of pleasures to come from the rutty amber liquid once sipped. Unfortunately, I'd describe the palate as flat and lacking. Not only did that lofty promise from the nose go unfulfilled, the rather watery flavor that followed was unremarkable in general. For the Jura 10, the nose was fine, but the palate held a promise that seems to have been left without support. It was the most amazing combination of wonderful spicy flavors, mixed with dried fruits, coastal elements and... Well, not much. It was had to understand how so many intriguing flavors could be pushed aside to leave such a vacancy on the palate.

But that promise reverberated with me. Perhaps it was the youth of the malt I thought to myself. So, I returned to the establishment I tried the 10 at recalling that they had the 16 available. The greater maturity of the 16 filled the void with woody notes and built a more robust and complex malt. This was much closer to promise I tasted in the 10. Unfortunately, I then found out that this particular expression has been done away with. Removed from production. Replaced with an expensive 18 year version finished in wine casks (that I can't imagine fit well with the wonderful flavors I found lurking in the 10 and 16), and a 12, which doesn't seem to be available near me, nor can I find many reviews of yet.

I'm curious if anyone knows what had driven the desire of this distillery to eliminate the 16? This is a malt that seems to balance on the edge of greatness for me, but seems unable to capitalize on the incredible spice they bring in a way I have not seen in others. This malt intrigues me so, and I can't seem to let go of it not making full use of what could be a dram equivalent to a Highland Park if they could just dial it in. Does anyone know more about what they are trying to achieve currently? Have there been press releases about it? Also, does e-mailing distilleries make any impact? I'd love to see a return to the 16, and I believe even a 12 could be incredible, but it seems I won't have a chance to try it. Is it worth contacting a distillery, or is that just so much yelling into the wind? I'd love to see what this place is capable of. Perhaps only a trip there will help me?
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NAS single malts are made shareholders, not drinkers. Don't think time in the cask is important, have some vodka. If companies were more focused on their whisky stocks and less on their market stocks, there wouldn't be this NAS problem.

[MattS]

There is quite a bit in this thread.

http://www.scotchmaltwhisky.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=7332

[hemicellulose]

Thanks Matt! Now I just need to figure out if the watery mess I tried in the bar was the new or the old 10. But it also sounds as though I should keep up the hunt for the old 16 as the 18 is far overpriced for whatever may be in there.
_________________
NAS single malts are made shareholders, not drinkers. Don't think time in the cask is important, have some vodka. If companies were more focused on their whisky stocks and less on their market stocks, there wouldn't be this NAS problem.

[MattS]

There was a subtle change in bottle shape if that helps. Also the newer range is said to have a hint of smoke, although I've not tasted the new 10 personally yet.

[Drame Blanche]

All I know is that I've tried the Superstition and it was terrible, all alcohol and very weak flavours. I've never heard anyone saying "oh yeah man, Jura is so good!".

I'll try other expressions if I'll have the chance, but it feels like there's better stuff there to spend my money and make my liver struggle on.

[Grant M]

I haven't tried the new entry level Jura Journey but I was surprised to see it reduced to clear today in my local Tesco, reduced to £28, the shelf was full and it looked like they hadn't sold a bottle even at he clearance price. Perhaps Jura's reputation for its previous range has carried over to it new range and whisky drinkers are not picking it up and retailers like Tesco are already trying to offload it.

[MattS]

Jura put up their prices with the relaunch. I've not heard anything to suggest it's justified.

[hemicellulose]

Thanks for the tip, Matt! I succeeded at finding a bottle of the 16 at a dingy liquor store (always the best place to go bottle prospecting!) today. I'll guard it, and enjoy at some point. In doing so, they had the old and new 10 side by side. I now think the 10 I tried recently was the old 10. At the price for the new 10, it might well be worth a try.

I know here is a lot of hate for Jura out there. But as I mentioned initially, I think there is something there. Enough for me to hold out hope they can find a formula to uncover what I believe is really interesting. I suspect we'd all hope for that. I know I always like to find out there is another distillery that had dialed it in and found their taste. More quality options the better I presume.
_________________
NAS single malts are made shareholders, not drinkers. Don't think time in the cask is important, have some vodka. If companies were more focused on their whisky stocks and less on their market stocks, there wouldn't be this NAS problem.

[MattS]

Personally I didn't mind the old 10, Superstition and the fruity 12 Elixir. The latter in particular. I recently 50/50 blended the Superstition with the 12. They were good value on special in supermarkets but like I said, the new higher prices bring it into question.

[MattS]

Amazon has the new 18 on special today £51.79.

Extracts from Amazon reviewers, "£50 Lagavulin 16 year old and £45 Glenrothes Sherry Cask Reserve are my top choices. The Jura 18 year old is in my top 5, but at £70 a bottle, a justified price tag, it is a bit of a pinch for my whisky budget. Definitely one I will be revisiting though and highly recommended for the collection."

"Before I was given the opportunity to taste-test the 18 year old Jura, I’d previously only sampled the (now defunct) 10 year old Origin – that’s my father’s dram of preference, and I tend to partake whenever I visit for Christmas. It’s a smooth, sweet and easy-going, honey and spice, non-peaty whiskey that slips down easily without too much of a fight.
The 18 year old by comparison is more guns blazing on delivery, and richer, fuller-bodied. It has much more of a heavy red fruit and slightly spicy punch to it (presumably from the red wine barrel ageing), with coffee and dark chocolate notes and a hint of peat – it’s definitely more complex, rich and interesting as you might expect of an older whiskey. You certainly don’t get bored with it. I’m not a huge fan of peaty whiskeys, so this one definitely falls on my side of the fence. With the relatively high price tag of the 18yo, it’s not going to be something I’ll be getting in to offer around after an evening down the pub – this is something to be kept at the back of the cupboard and quietly enjoyed on a winter’s evening on my own, relaxing in front of the fire."

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Jura-18-Year-Old-Whisky/dp/B07BPQYHGS/ref=as_li_ss_tl?srs=1669054031&ie=UTF8&qid=1536597729&sr=8-13&keywords=Jura&linkCode=ll1&tag=scotchmaltwhisky-21&linkId=ab340d78b6ec06fb7524074d9913d2bb&language=en_GB

[Timp]

Interesting MattS it sounds nice from your comments.

Like many I have only delved into the cheaper core range and you have heard all those comments before hemicellulose

What i did listen to the other day was an interview with Duncan McGillivray ( retired Bruichladdich legend ) who mentions Jura as one of his favourite drams.

He and the interviewer then talk about Jura needing more time in the cask so older ones are improved. I had a quick look for indi bottles and there are a few so I think I might have a punt on an older one.

It does seem a shame re the reductions in the supermarkets as it indicates low sales or a direct marketing promotion, but as they have revamped the range for the same market as before, not overly surprised as the last stuff was frequently reduced anyway.

I would imagine the revamp is all based on stock levels and preicted sales/ profit margins. I would Email them. Let us know what they say as I for one would be interested to see their response to a question from an advocate of their product.

Dont know about others but discounting of the Aberlour 10 stopped me buying at full price because every few months it was back to £22 or so. Nice dram but no point paying full whack. They sold quick so others were thinking like me also.

Will let you know what I get.

[MattS]

I couldn't agree more on pricing. Supermarket whisky discounting goes up and down by the month and varies from store to store so there is little point paying full price in any of Tesco, Morrisons, Asda, Sainsbury's plus Amazon these days because either in a competitor or the following month the price will be down.

Supermarket comparison of new Jura 10:
Tesco £30 (down from £38) https://www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/products/299335273
Morrisons £38 https://groceries.morrisons.com/webshop/product/Jura-Aged-10-Years-Single-Malt-Scotch-Whisky-Abv-40/408967011?from=search&tags=%7C105651&param=jura+10&parentContainer=SEARCHjura+10
Asda £28 (down from £38) https://groceries.asda.com/product/whisky/jura-10-year-old-aged-single-malt-scotch-whisky/1000041777477
Sainsbury's £38 https://www.sainsburys.co.uk/shop/ProductDisplay?storeId=10151&productId=1201810&urlRequestType=Base&catalogId=10122&langId=44

Amazon https://www.amazon.co.uk/Jura-10-Year-Old-Whisky/dp/B07BPLMSMC/ref=as_li_ss_tl?srs=1669054031&ie=UTF8&qid=1536597729&sr=8-4&keywords=Jura&linkCode=ll1&tag=scotchmaltwhisky-21&linkId=153c239bb55cf287f01494c97b33f25b&language=en_GB

[Drame Blanche]

Gotta say despite my non-love for Jura, 51 quid for an 18... Tempted. That 44% could have easily been a 46, but that's fine. Any notes on colouring / CF? Haven't found much around, so I assume yes. Not that I'd complain for those money.

[ralfy legend]

I’ve tried the new journey and 10, there is smoke running through them but not lots, the journey is drinkable for a newbie but the more experienced drinkers will hate it, the 10 is better but defo no worth the retail price so wait for it the be on offer, I paid £24 and£28, there is better stuff to drink for sure for the same price,, I will try the journey and 10 again in November as I’ve only had a drop out of both

[Timp]

Useful review Ralfy.

Be interesting to see if they improve with time as you say..

Cheers..