Isle of Jura Single Malt
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Coordinates: 55°50′2.66″N 5°57′6.63″W / 55.8340722°N 5.9518417°W
 Jura 10 years old |
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| Location | Jura |
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| Owner | Whyte and Mackay |
| Founded | 1810 |
Isle of Jura Single Malt is a Scotch whisky distilled at the Isle of Jura Distillery located on the island of Jura located off the West Coast of Scotland. The island belongs to a group of islands collectively known as the Inner Hebrides. The distillery is owned by United Breweries Group of India.
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[edit] History of the Distillery
Even though the distillery didn't open until 1810, the people of Jura were entitled to distil whisky for personal consumption, until a ban was introduced in 1781.
As legend has it, Laird Archibald Campbell awoke in the middle of the night to see the ghostly figure of an old woman hovering over his bed. She berated him over the lack of the golden liquid on the island. It was this apparition that persuaded him to reverse his punitive measure and erect a distillery at an old smugglers' cave in the hamlet of Craighouse in 1810.
But the distillery fell into disrepair and it wasn't until the 1960s when, in a bid to entice new inhabitants to the island, two local estate owners Robin Fletcher and Tony Riley-Smith rebuilt the distillery, employing architect William Delme-Evans.[1] By 1963 their work was complete; they had introduced taller stills allowing the distillery to create an eclectic mix of malts, a feature that continues to help differentiate Jura from its island neighbours.
[edit] The Whisky
Jura's single malts have won numerous awards and are distinguished for their eclectic flavours.
Jura's liquid story is highly unusual in that there is no discernible 'house style'. Within just the core range you could experience a spectrum of light and heavy, peated and unpeated. There's something for all palates.
Jura's location on The Gulf Stream, with its exceptionally mild climate and gentle breezes, together with the local spring water, are significant factors contributing to Jura's smooth, varied and complex flavours.
Often the smallest of factors can affect the balance of flavours in whisky. Although much of a whisky's character is decided by the type of barrel it is aged in, the finest single malts quite literally offer a taste of their location, starting with the water that is used to the local weather and atmospheric conditions. During the ageing process, the whisky not only absorbs the flavours of the wood, but the island's atmosphere and sea breezes as they pass over the barrels.
[edit] The Core Range
[edit] Origin
Origin is the ten year old that carries the traditional Celtic symbol for birth, beginning and the forces of nature. This whisky holds a special place on the island. For many of the islanders, Origin is the water of life. A light and delicate spirit which has a lingering taste of warming gentle oak, notes of honey and caramel, soft liquorice and roasted coffee beans.
[edit] Superstition
There is a litany of strange and bewildering customs on Jura, the use of the Ankh being a prime example. This ancient symbol dates back to the Egyptian times and is long rumoured to bring good fortune, providing the whisky is poured in the correct manner, by holding the bottle with the Ankh cross in the centre of your palm.
This lightly peated malt is crafted from a selection of the finest aged Jura single malt whiskies. This mysterious spirit has a unique style and character, with tastes of spice, honey, pine and peat with a whisper of smoke.
[edit] Diurachs' Own
Nurtured for sixteen long years, this is the whisky of choice for the people of Jura. It's a subtle malt - unassuming and understated. Qualities often attributed to the Diurachs themselves. Understandably, the islanders are drawn to it above all others, which is why the symbol of the Diurachs adorns each and every pack.
This rich and full bodied spirit has flavours of dark chocolate combined with oranges and spices which leave a sweet toffee and honey finish.
[edit] Prophecy
In the early 1700s the Campbells of Jura evicted a wise old seer who prophesised that the last Campbell to leave the island would be one-eyed with his belongings carried in a cart drawn by a lone white horse. The prophecy was all but forgotten until one day in 1938, when Charles Campbell, blind in one eye from the Great War, fell on hard times and led his white horse to the old pier for the last time.[2]
Prophecy is a heavily peated malt, bottled in a traditional style without chill filtration to deliver an authentic taste of 1938. Flavours of peat smoke, fresh cinnamon and spicy sea spray with tarry bonfire notes give way to hints of soft liquorice and nutmeg.
[edit] The Community
While the red deer population rests at around 5,000, the number of people who make their living on this small, remote isle sits at less than 200. The inhabitants of Jura are known as Diurachs, which is their Gaelic name. Despite the Diurachs being in such modest numbers, they do have character in abundance, Proud of their land and their whisky, they will gladly bend the ear of any visitor willing to take the time to listen.
The key dates in the Diurach calendar include the world famous whisky festival - Feis Ile.[3] This runs throughout the last week in May each year across both Islay and Jura. The Jura Music Festival takes place every year in September.[4] Now in its 18th year, the festival runs for three days and is an established favourite for lovers of the traditional music scene. The annual Sports Day takes place on the Ardlussa Estate each July [5] and the Jura Regatta is an annual favourite in the summer calendar.[6]
[edit] The Diurach Programme
With such a small population on the island, the distillery is keen to extend honorary citizenship to fellow Jura whisky lovers around the world. The kindred spirits the distillery attracts will be offered a free dram for life, every month at the Jura pub - an incentive that has already led to a marked uptake in visitor numbers. There is a host of other benefits that come the way of an Honorary Diurach.[7]
[edit] The Island
The Isle of Jura is just seven miles wide and thirty miles long and it has only one road, one pub and one distillery. There are six estates on Jura: Ardfin, Inver, Jura Forest, Ruantallain, Tarbert and Ardlussa. Jura is famous for its rich culture of myths, legends and good fortune. The most celebrated tales concern The Prophecy, The Witch of Jura and the Corryvreckan.[2]
[edit] Getting to Jura
"Extremely unget-at-able" were George Orwell's words on describing how to reach Jura. So protective of its secrets, the island is as awkward to reach today as it was in 1946. The journey from London involves two flights, one boat and a great deal of patience. Glasgow may be 300 miles closer but is, paradoxically, no quicker.
To reach Jura by car and boat (summer only) drive to Tayvallich on the west coast of Scotland and take the Jura passenger ferry direct to Craighouse on Jura.[8]
For the rest of the year drive to Kennacraig on the west coats of Scotland and take the Calmac ferry [9] to Port Askaig on Islay. At the same port, board the Jura island ferry.
[edit] Jura's Brand Ambassadors
It was as a fresh-faced youngster in 1975 that Willie Tait began his life-long association with the island. His career has gone from Tunroom Man, Mash, Stillman Under Manager and Distillery Manager to the lofty position of Master Distiller and Global Brand Ambassador in 35 years. He was recently awarded a lifetime Achievement Award from the Malt Advocate magazine (USA) [10] for his 37 years' service to the Scotch Whisky industry. Willie Cochrane started his career at the Jura distillery as a Mash/Still Operator wasy back in 1976. Soon after, he was promoted to the dual role of Brewer and Engineer - a position that married his love for the whisky with his engineering background. Then, after three glorious decades, Willie attained the role of Jura Distillery Manager.
Both Willies are great ambassadors of the Jura single malt whisky and are held in the highest regard among their peers.
[edit] The Awards
The Jura Distillery has been blessed with many accolades over the years. The performance at last year’s International Wine and Spirit Competition continues this fine tradition.
[edit] Jura Prophecy
Gold (Best in Class), International Wine & Spirits Competition 2010
[edit] Jura Diurachs' Own 16YO
Gold (Best in Class), International Wine & Spirits Competition 2010
[edit] Jura Superstition
Gold, San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2009
[edit] Jura Origin 10YO
Silver, International Wine & Spirits Competition 2010
[edit] The Jura Lodge
A home from home for all Diurachs, the lodge offers an eccentric display of colour, décor and stylistic touches. The lodge is available for private rental at certain times of the year at the cost of £2,500 per night for a minimum of three nights. Shooting, hunting, fishing, fell walking, lobster eating, sailing and whisky drinking can all be organised upon request.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Diurachs Past and Present, Isle of Jura. Retrieved 2011-03-07.
- ^ a b Tales and Superstitions, Isle of Jura. Retrieved 2011-03-07.
- ^ [1], Isle of Jura. Retrieved 2011-03-07.
- ^ Jura Island Life, Isle of Jura. Retrieved 2011-03-07.
- ^ Jura Island Life, Isle of Jura. Retrieved 2011-03-07.
- ^ Jura Island Life, Isle of Jura. Retrieved 2011-03-07.
- ^ [2], Isle of Jura. Retrieved 2011-03-07.
- ^ [3]. Retrieved 2011-03-07.
- ^ Calmac ferry website. Retrieved 2011-03-07.
- ^ MaltAdvocate.com. Retrieved 2011-03-07.
[edit] External links
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