Isle of Jura Superstition Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

Lying just to the East of Islay, off Scotland's west coast, Jura is one of Scotland's most spectacular but least known islands. Laird Archibald Campbell built the Jura distillery in the early 1800’s near a cave where illegal distilling had been carried on possibly from the 1600’s. The whisky produced then was a characteristic peaty malt whisky – not at all like the present day product. The distillery was let out to many people over the years. It was leased to James Ferguson in 1875 and rebuilt in 1884 when it was producing 65,000 gallons per year.

In the early 1900’s the Fergusons seem to have been in dispute with the then Laird Colin Campbell and decided to quit the Jura distillery, dismantling and selling the machinery which they had installed. The roofs were later removed to avoid paying rates and the distillery became a ruin. In the 1950’s Robin Fletcher owner of Ardlussa Estate and Riley-Smith owner of Jura House and Ardfin Estate got together to see how they could solve a foreseeable jobs crisis on the island. They thought about reopening the distillery to see if new people could be attracted to the island. They were joined by farmer, distiller and architect Delme’ Evans. They raised financial backing eventually, mostly from Scottish and Newcastle Breweries, to build the distillery.

Delme’-Evans designed and built the new distillery on the site of the old ruined one. He said of his plans “My primary aim was to construct an economic distillery within the space available. Everything had to be simple and fall to hand. You could not afford to complicate things in so remote a location. “ Everything had to be designed in such a way that the new Jura malt could be produced. “It was our intention to produce a Highland-type malt differing from the typically peaty stuff last produced in 1900. I therefore designed the stills to give spirit of a Highland character, and we ordered malt which was only lightly peated.” The new distillery was opened on April 26th 1963 and employed a quarter of the male workforce.

The Isle of Jura distillery uses American white oak in the main with some sherry casks. Jura's manager, Michael Heads, explains, "......the whole character of the place, mainly through the water we use and the conditions we mature it in, the fact that we're sitting beside the sea with salty air help to give Jura whisky its unique taste." Drawing on the distilleries older malts and spring-peated younger whiskies, Jura Superstition is a tribute to the people, the traditions and the mystical heritage that make Jura island life unique. The whisky was awarded a Bronze medal at the 2005 International Wine and Spirit Competition.

Other reviews… A rare case of where the whole is better than the parts. A malt that wins through because of a superb balance between peat and sweeter barley. Distinctive to the point of being almost unique. 43% Alc./Vol.
Rating: 86 - Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2006size>

Nose: Immediate peatiness.Turfy rather than marine. Phenolics, macadamia nut, horchata. Light meaty note. Sweet centre. Palate: Light smoke lying above firm, young grassy, notes. beech nuts, heather. Silky feel. Finish: Good length. Drifting smoke. Comment: This seems to have the peatiness more to the fore than in the past. Rating: 77 - tasting note sourced from www.whiskymag.com size>

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