🥃 Jameson Black Barrel
Jameson line with a higher share of pot still and heavily charred casks; 40% ABV, no age statement; launched in 2011.
Jameson Black Barrel is a blended Irish whiskey which, according to Difford’s Guide, was presented in New York in October 2011; it was previously sold as Select Reserve. The brand describes it as darker and fuller than Original. It is bottled at 40% ABV with no age statement.
The blend combines a small batch of grain whiskey from Midleton, matured in heavily charred bourbon casks, with pot still made from malted and unmalted barley, aged in sherry casks and first-fill bourbon casks. It also includes a small share of pot still matured in new oak. According to the same source, the average age is about 12 years, although the bottle does not state it.
Why it matters for you. People choose Black Barrel when they want more pot still, vanilla and oak notes than Original offers. Read the label: the words “Black Barrel” do not guarantee any particular age. WHO reminds us: there is no safe level of alcohol consumption.
Facts
| EU category | 2 — whisky (whisky/whiskey) |
|---|---|
| Legal basis | Protected GI “Irish Whiskey” (Reg. (EU) 2019/787) |
| Raw material | malted and unmalted barley (pot still); grain whiskey |
| Distillation method | pot still and grain whiskey, Midleton |
| Cask type | heavily charred bourbon casks, sherry casks, first-fill bourbon casks; share of new oak |
| Minimum maturation | no age statement; average age about 12 years (Difford’s) |
| Alcohol (% vol.) | 40% ABV |
How it connects to Spirits
🥃 Jameson Black Barrel → kind of → 🥃 Whisky → kind of → 🥃 Spirits
Links
- Packed in
- 🍷 Sherry, 🍷 Oak barrel, 🥃 Ex-bourbon barrel
- Made from
- 🥃 Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey, 🥃 Irish Grain Whiskey
- What it contains
- 🍷 Ethanol
- What it affects
- 🍷 Alcohol and health, 🍷 Drunk driving
- Part of
- 🥃 Jameson, 🥃 Whisky, 🥃 Irish Whiskey, 🥃 Blended Irish Whiskey
- Similar and different
- 🥃 Jameson Caskmates IPA Edition, 🥃 Jameson Caskmates Stout Edition, 🥃 Jameson Crested, 🥃 Jameson Original, 🥃 Jameson Caskmates IPA Edition, 🥃 Jameson Caskmates Stout Edition, 🥃 Jameson Crested, 🥃 Jameson Original
Frequently asked questions
Is it true that Black Barrel carries a 12-year age statement?
No. According to Difford’s Guide, the average age is about 12 years, but no age is printed on the bottle; the grain component is not aged for too long, as it loses character.
How does Black Barrel differ from Original?
It has a higher share of pot still and heavily charred casks for the grain whiskey; The Whiskey Wash describes the taste as fuller and more oaky.
What is the strength of Jameson Black Barrel?
40% ABV (80 proof), according to Difford’s Guide.
What to read next
- 🥃 Jameson Original — The base line of Jameson: a blend of pot still and grain whiskey from Midleton; 40% ABV, no age statement.
- 🍷 Alcohol and health — Alcohol in any drink is harmful in large amounts, and the risks grow with the quantity.
- 🍷 Ethanol — The alcohol formed during fermentation that makes you drunk.
- 🍷 Oak barrel — A wooden barrel of oak staves in which wine matures and breathes.
- 🥃 Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey — Irish whiskey from malted and unmalted barley (at least 30% of each), distilled in pot stills; 3+ years in casks, 40% vol. or more.
Similar
🥃 Jameson Crested · 🥃 Jameson Original · 🥃 Jameson Caskmates IPA Edition · 🥃 Jameson Caskmates Stout Edition · 🥃 Tullamore Dew 12 Year Old Special Reserve · 🥃 Tullamore Dew Original
⚠️ Spirit drinks contain alcohol and are for adults only. Alcohol harms health. Do not drink during pregnancy or before driving; check the label for ingredients and possible allergens.
Sources
- Difford's Guide: Jameson Black Barrel (40 %, no age statement, blend of grain and pot still; launched New York 10.2011)
- The Whiskey Wash: The Complete Guide to Jameson Irish Whiskey, every bottle explained (Original, Black Barrel, Caskmates, Crested)
- Revenue (Ireland): Geographical Indication for Irish Whiskey and Irish Poteen/Poitin (GI verification, Tax and Duty Manual)
- WHO/Europe: No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health (04.01.2023)