Jura whisky eyes its future with new range
THE Isle of Jura Distillery has relaunched its range of malt whiskies, reducing the number it produces down to five.
The Inner Hebridean island is home to one road, one pub and one distillery, whose owner, Whyte and Mackay, explained: ‘Free from distractions, we focus entirely on one thing – making the very best single malt whisky we can.
‘This focus has now led us to a new place. A place reflective of our past, present and future where we can reveal a different side of our character. Signifying the start of a new chapter in our rich story, we have created a new signature style for Jura single malt whisky, a style reminiscent of our past but with a firm eye on the future.
‘The whisky itself sees a subtle smokiness brought together with a sweetness to create our new defining character.
‘This sees us, for the first time, marry together the classic styles of Highland and Island malts, and unify these in one remarkable [range of] whisky.’
Currently Jura Distillery’s extensive range currently includes (with ages): Origin (10), Elixir (12), Peated Prophecy, Diurach’s Own (16), Tastival (up to 19), One And All (20), Superstition (up to 21), and Jura 21-year-old, plus occasional bottlings from older, rarer casks.
But its new, smaller range of five single malts, which will launch globally in April, starts with Journey, then Jura 10, Jura 12, Seven Wood and finally Jura 18.
‘This marks a hugely significant step for Jura,’ said Jura distillery manager Graham Logan. ‘A new house style of whisky is not for the faint-hearted but it tells you where we are now and how committed we are to Jura, the community and our whiskies for the long term. Combining two styles of whisky is a fairly unorthodox approach, but one that we know is right for Jura. We can’t wait for people to try and it and see for themselves.’
A spokesperson for Whyte and Mackay added: ‘Established in 1810, the distillery fell into disrepair and closed in 1901.
‘In 1963, after years of economic depression, the islanders felt it high time to revive the economy by rebuilding Jura’s distillery from scratch; a monumental feat achieved through determination, endeavour and true community spirit.’
‘Distillery manager William Delmé-Evans went to extreme lengths to ship unusually tall stills to an island which has been called “the most un-getat-able place” by George Orwell, author of 1984, written in a remote farmhouse on Jura.’