Colour– First lets start off by giving it a little bit of a swirling in my rocks glass, giving the whiskey a chance to breath . The thing that catches my eye is the spirit sticking to the rocks glass as honey does to a spoon that been dunked in a hot tea. It had legs for days. The colour reminded me of a beautiful autumn morning as the sun rises over the bronze leaved maple trees as the coppery golden rays start the day and welcome me to flavour country.
Nose-He
re is a part I always struggle with. Maybe because I got my nose broken in a rugby tournament or my profession (plumber) has something to do with it; Smelling all sorts of toxic vapor that I have inhaled for many years – or maybe I just suck at it. So here we go. It starts off with hints of vanilla then goes right into that wonderful smoke from the bourbon cask, then coming to a close with a subtle undertone of sea salt.
Taste– The Beginning as it’s hitting the tongue and covers it with an oily velvet smooth texture. Then it brings on the sherry cask sweetness that one would suspect, but looming underneath touches of caramel and pepper. Wait we aren’t done yet, here comes that wonderful bourbon cask warming smokiness, maybe as I dare say peaty. It over took my pallet flashing to time as like that of the first summer camp fire warming your soul.
Finish– What’s left to be said other then it dances down my throat leaving me with complex flavour smoky, sweet goodness, leaving my taste buds begging for more.
Final thoughts– I rather enjoy this bolt, what else need to be said. Its price mark at the L.C.B.O. is $140. This might be at a higher end price point for some people, but with costs on the rise for whisky these days, a good value. I would suggest you save up your nickels for this one, or maybe get your wife/girl friend to buy this as a gift. Would I add this lovely bottle of spirit to my bar. Yes I would.
Cheers, Nicholas H Stefan
Cooper’s Croze was created under the direction of the distillery’s 5th generation master cooper. It celebrates the influence the choice of casks has on the final spirit we all happily enjoy. This can be seen by the naturally light colour that lets the barrels speak for themselves. Before making it to the bottle this sprit has a long journey through several barrels as it ages for 15 years. It starts n virgin American oak moving to second fill bourbon until finishing in Sherry barrels. The sprint’s journey is elected in is taste, as it starts robust and full up front and mellows as it makes its way past your chest.
When you taste whiskey that has matured in casks, it really is something. You have the flavour of an alternate liquid (usually sherry or bourbon) that seasoned the barrel. The barrel itself is either European or American oak, and than it is toasted to varying levels. All of these combine to overwhelm the senses when that bottle is uncorked and pored into a glass. The aroma, the mouth feel, the smoothness and flavour all work in harmony and balance. All of this was pre conceived years, if not decades before coming to this single moment of fruition. Distillers safe had some of these characteristics, an amazing feat considering it is only 4 years old, and just incase your wondering, it takes 3 years to officially become whiskey.
Billy is the Head Blender at Jameson so the pressure is on him to ensure all of the Jameson family blends being made are of the highest quality, his whiskey is his art, like a conductor orchestrating a melodic symphony.
This dram had a wonderful dark caramel colour and on the glass showed some LONG legs. Brought to the nose, slowly albeit, I was hit with a very strong fragrance specifically caramel and spices. Preparation for a strong taste ensued.
The nose immediately punched me like a heavyweight prize fighter. Despite my best efforts to hide it, I’m sure anyone watching me noticed my head swivel back and to the side as if actually hit by that haymaker punch. Again, but more slowly, and with a degree of caution I didn’t know before, I brought my nose close to the glass. Strong heat, with just a touch of smoke as if someone were barbecuing in the neighbourhood, but you couldn’t tell from where. This had all the characteristics of burning all the way down like drinking pure hot sauce. 
The mellow nose on this spirit left me curious how the palate would present itself. Breathing it in, I picked up faint sweetness, pinpointing it to vanilla & caramel. I didn’t really find much else in it, especially noting an absence of the sharpness that can accompany a higher proof whiskey. I also didn’t pick much warmth out of it either.