The Old Malt Cask Jura 13 years

Score: 70

The Old Malt Cask Jura 13 Year Old is a single cask release from Hunter Laing, distilled in 2008 and bottled at a confident 50% ABV. Matured in a bourbon barrel, it showcases the island distillery’s signature coastal character with a touch more polish and depth than Jura’s standard offerings. On the nose, it opens sweet and inviting, vanilla, marzipan, and buttered croissants, with a gentle sea breeze in the background. As it settles, richer notes emerge: dark chocolate and bitter orange, adding a layer of intrigue. The palate is smooth and rounded, with those chocolate and citrus notes deepening into gingerbread and green apple brightness. There’s a hint of anise that flickers through, giving it a slightly herbal edge. The finish is long and lingering, with brown sugar and a subtle salinity that reminds you this is an island whisky. It’s slightly dry, but pleasantly so, like the final pages of a good book. This Jura doesn’t shout; it speaks with quiet confidence. A dram for those who appreciate subtle complexity and coastal nuance, and a fine example of what careful cask selection can do for a distillery often overlooked in club rankings.