Jameson Has Revamped Their Whiskey Portfolio
Photo via Jameson
Jameson is one of the classic bar shelf whiskeys, a gateway, “pint and a shot” staple through which many have become acquainted with whiskey in the first place. The brand has also dominated the Irish Whiskey resurgence of recent years, accounting for slightly more than three-quarters of Irish Whiskey sales in the U.S., according to International Wine And Spirits Research.
Yet the larger Jameson family of whiskeys had been something of a tangle, and earlier this summer the brand lineup was overhauled. The old, familiar Jameson Irish Whiskey went untouched, as did Jameson 18 Year Old near the top of the spectrum, but everything else got a shakeup. Here is what to expect from Jameson’s other, more upscale offerings.
The Bad News
When Jameson Special Reserve, also known as Jameson Small Batch and Jameson Black, was introduced several years ago, it instantly became a popular bargain choice in premium Irish Whiskey. This whiskey has been kept in the lineup and relabeled as Jameson Black Barrel, but unfortunately with a significant price hike. Previously available for around $35, the price in Europe is now €47, and American prices are now inching up to that mark. At that price point, Black Barrel is no longer a bang for the buck winner.
Crested Ten has been brought into the Jameson family proper as Jameson Crested. For almost five decades this whiskey has enjoyed a cult following among Irish Whiskey fans around the world, but it was only occasionally available in the U.S., and then as a special import item. Priced at €36, it replaces Black Barrel as the best bargain of the Jameson line, but sadly there are no plans to bring it to America at this time.
Finally, Jameson 12 Year Old was discontinued. Like Black Barrel, this whiskey was widely available in the U.S., but unlike Black Barrel it was never particularly budget friendly, coming in at around $70. Still, it was a fine expression, had its fans (my wife was one of them!), and some will miss it dearly.
The Whiskey Makers