Jameson Caskmates Beau’s Edition

So I’m still at an expo to show the fun of Ireland. I had oysters from their Michelin chef, a whiskey gelato, and then cleared my palate after having an Irish wrap. I made sure to not having anything too strong before reviewing my next one.

In continuing the random theme, the next whiskey is Jameson Caskmates Beau’s Edition.

Let me explain as you scratch your heads: The last whiskey I had was a collaboration with a US bar and Irish Whiskey Maker. Now we have a collaboration with a Canadian brewery and an Irish Whiskey Maker.

Beau’s is a local craft beer that’s been around since 2006. They are organic, they are independently owned, and they have a particular earth note in their beer. I’m not a big beer reviewer, so I’m going to stop myself there. I’ve enjoyed some of their beers, including the Helles.

For this particular whiskey, which is why you’re here, they used Strong Patrick Irish Red Ale, which was aged in ex-Jameson whiskey casks. The beer used Irish Ale yeast, Pilgrim hops, and had a malt makeup of pale ale, Munich, carafoam, caramunich, and caraaroma. I hope that means more to you than it does me.

But how did it affect the whiskey? What did it do? Let’s see, shall we?

Price: $41.95 CAD at the LCBO

Region: Ireland

Cask Type: Finished in ex-Beau’s Strong Patrick Irish Red Ale casks

Abv: 40%

Colour: 10Y 9/6

Nose: Oak, earth, yeast

Light. Very light. I spent some time with this one, just attempting to nose it as best I can, and I have to say that I’m not getting too much.

Eventually, I teased out some yeast on the nose. It’s different than Jameson Original, with more of that raw yeast note rather than yeast in bread.

Taste: Earth, yeast/bread, oak, cereal, malt

So good news: That earthy note from Beau’s beer made it into the taste. I’m assuming that was the plan. It’d be my plan, at least.

The flavour’s stronger than the nose, but that’s like saying I’m stronger than a 5-year-old. It’s a given. Most days.

Mostly oak/bread forward. Very typical Irish whisky.

Finish: Mushroom, coffee, ginger, malt, earth

Earthy. I’d say mushroom, and then some mushroom aficionado will ask which, and I don’t know, because I grew up on button mushrooms. I am not a mushroom taster.

Earthy, a bit of spice. The finish gets interesting, though and just as I’m getting into it, we’re done. Too bad.

Conclusion: Lots of the earthy character of Beau’s, though didn’t quite mesh as well with the Jameson. I feel like they pulled some of sherry casks to avoid doubling up on too much earth. And what we ended up with was less than the standard, which really, really benefits from the sherry casks.

Instead, we ended up with something that is only part way there. And as Bon Jovi says… I don’t know, I usually go into a blind rage when I hear his songs. Something about a shitty mattress.

What I will say is I want to see more of Beau’s and Jameson collaborations. Perhaps one of the other beers in a cask or perhaps a stronger percentage or even the addition of other casks to balance it all. Interesting try, however, I still think the stout edition is the best of the bunch.

70/100

World Whiskey review #360, Ireland review #106, Whiskey review #1713