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Isle of Jura Superstition

Easy going...

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@hunggarReview by @hunggar

9th Feb 2014

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Isle of Jura Superstition
  • Nose
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  • Taste
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  • Finish
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  • Balance
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  • Overall
    85

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Distribution of ratings for this: brand user

This seems to be a “love it or hate it” whisky. More than half the reviews for the Superstition on this website have it either in the 90’s or in the 70’s or lower. I don’t know why that is, nor do I care to speculate. I liked it when I first opened it, and it’s only gotten better over the last 5 months. So for me; this sits right at home in the 80’s.

Nose: A good, salty maritime character. Big toffee, honey, cream, caramelized apples, pine, mineral-rich peat, and faint smoke. The honey and barley notes are both light and bright. The Master of Malt chaps mention that there’s a new-make-ish character to the nose. Quite right. I’m enjoying nosing this.

Palate: Creamy and soft on arrival, with a very gradual development. Peat comes in and steadily builds on itself, with salt and pepper also creeping in. The honey and barley characters remain light and bright. This tastes quite young, but there’s zero sharpness or bite. This is a very smooth and paced sipping experience.

Finish: Butter, light honey, minerals, pine, banana, faint vanilla, mild oak, soft smoke, and black peppercorns. Short-to-medium length.

I like the youthful, grassy, honey-rich flavours that seem to be infused into the overall character of the barley in Jura offerings. For me both the 10 and the Superstition have a very young and vibrant appeal. However if I had to choose a favorite; the Superstition boasts a bit more balance, finesse, and complexity. Like HP, this is an island dram that uses peat as a complimentary flavour, not a defining one.

Alternatively, if you’re just coming into single malts from the world of Johnnie Walkers you might be at home with this smooth and gently smoky character. It has enough complexity to distinguish itself but it is still very much an easy sipper. I’m liking this more and more every time I revisit it. Very recommended.

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5 comments

@Pandemonium
Pandemonium commented

I believe the hate comes from the earlier versions of the superstition. I've tasted both a 2006 (maybe 2005 not sure) and a 2012 version, a huge difference, a lot more balance to it now, more refined, a considerable improvement

10 years ago 0

@hunggar
hunggar commented

That explains a lot. Those number just seemed a little TOO random. Thanks!

10 years ago 0

@Uisgebetha
Uisgebetha commented

When initially released in 2003 Superstition was quite a different animal, 45% ABV and critically acclaimed, and quite expensive too I seem to remember. I think it was a classic case of a whisky being launched without stocks being available in the bonded warehouse to sustain the quality of the product long term. I'm glad to hear it's improving again.

10 years ago 0

@Aulay
Aulay commented

A fair review Hunggar. I like the Superstition, but my non-whiskey drinking friends just loved it. I took three bottles up last summer to a golf weekend with a bunch of beer drinkers, a couple wine drinkers and a couple whiskey drinkers. I brought the Superstition, Bowmore 12, and a Balvenie Signature 12. The Superstition was gone quickly, the Balvenie next, and I took the Bowmore home for myself. Superstition is mellow and has a mass appeal. Slainte.

10 years ago 0

@hunggar
hunggar commented

@Aulay: Very true. As I mentioned in the review, this is perfect for people transitioning from the world of Johnnie Walkers into single malts. Definitely approachable stuff. But these middle-of-the-road easy sippers will always have a place on my shelf as well. :)

Btw... If you ask me, you lucked out last summer. If there was one whisky out of those three that I'd WANT to bring back it's the BOwmore 12. I've got something of a soft spot for that one.

10 years ago 0