Jameson Round Irish Whiskey Review

By Richard Thomas

Rating: B

Jameson Round
(Credit: Pernod Ricard)

After looking at Jameson Bold and Lively, this is the third and last installment from the Jameson Deconstructed series of travel retail whiskeys, Jameson Round. Each of these expressions is meant to “deconstruct” the standard Jameson by playing up a certain aspect of it. In the case of Round, that aspect is the influence of the barrel wood, and it’s therefore useful to keep in mind that the overwhelming majority of casks used to age the whiskey that goes into the Jameson blend are ex-bourbon barrels.

The Whiskey
In the glass, this 40% ABV whiskey has a deep golden appearance. The nose is crisp with toasted cereals, seasoned with hints of vanilla and toffee.

The palate has a soft, creamy feel, which contrasts sharply with a blast of peppery spices. That initial jolt, as much a matter of the contrast as it was of the spice, was not what I expected and commanded all of my attention on the first sip. Once I got past that, I found a middle made up of malty sweetness, butterscotch and nuttiness. The finish is a mild one, light on the spicy afterglow, but long and lingering.

The Price
Like the other Deconstructeds, Jameson Round is €36 per one liter bottle.