Scotch Scotch Scotchy Scotch (vol 1)

Every now and then, I intend to share something I enjoy, in the hopes that you might like it as well. I’m going to start this series with something I absolutely dig: Scotch. I will likely have many Scotch entries here, sharing my thoughts on the bottles I’ve enjoyed thus far in my life. There are a metric shit ton of different scotches, more if you include the bastards of the scotch world, the dreaded blends.

Today, I’m going to share one of my favorites. Isle of Jura. Theirs is a great distillery, and among the bottles I’ve tasted and collected, there’s a lot of great taste and affordability here. “Cheaper” doesn’t necessarily mean “Crap”.

There are 4 Scotches under the Isle of Jura label, their Origin, Superstition, Prophecy, and “Diurach’s Own”. I’ve had all but the last, and they each have a different personality.
I find all of them flavorful, great for during or after dinner.

If you’re new to Scotch, start off with the Origin…it’s got a lovely honey finish that will treat your tongue sweetly. The honey notes share the stage with a bit of oak and even coffee, if your taste buds are anything like mine. It’s also quite inexpensive, which raises its value more than just a touch.

The Superstition they refer to as “lightly peated”, which of course means it’s going to kick your taste buds like a mule with an attitude problem if you’re not ready for it. But for the initiated, the peat rolls across the tongue like hot Scottish love, which I can tell you from experience is a very, very good thing. I was introduced to this Scotch by chance and coincidence, which is fitting given the name. A Scotsman from Oban told me of it, and the very next week I found a bottle sitting on a shelf 2 states away while out on business. This is a bottle that finds you, and it is worth the finding.

The Prophecy is referred to as “heavily peated”. It’s not as peated as Laphraoig, which is like taking medicine, but it does have a strong nose. It penetrates your proboscis with a peaty punt. The taste is similarly harsh at first, giving way to cinnamon and nutmeg behind the initial assault. This one was first encountered by me in Vegas, given me by a lovely lass by the name of Moira. This was a girl who knew the value of a good wee dram, and I was happy to make acquaintance with her and the whiskey both. I was only intimate with one of them, however, so I have no idea whether or not she was heavily peated.

I’ve not tasted the Diurach’s Own, but I can tell you this: I’ll be looking for it. They have several limited editions as well, though my wallet tends to shriek in terror from any limited edition booze.

Jura. Remember it, and Slainte!