So despite the fact that John Jameson was actually a Scot and that the company is now owned by French conglomerate Pernod Ricard, Jameson Caskmates is still a thoroughly Irish whiskey, combining Irish whiskey traditions, with Irish stout flavors. And, if one were to believe Jameson, it all started in the most Irish way possible: a brewer and a distiller walk into a pub… Tasting Notes Nose: Bold at first, but mellows significantly after the first second or two. Hints of campfire mingle with burnt sugar, oak, and hay. There’s a touch of isopropyl heat buried under spice, vermouth, and toffee. For many, Jameson and Guiness are Irish alcohol. Whiskey and stout. It seems only natural that a combination of the two should arise. Enter Caskmates. Whereas Jameson Original is light, floral, and a little fruity, Caskmates Stout Edition is caramel-y and creamy. It still has a light mouthfeel and a smooth finish with just a little burn but instead of grassy fruitiness, there’s the richness of butterscotch. The nose is especially different, showcasing burnt sugar, toffee, and campfire scents.

Finally, this whiskey was provided to us a free sample to review by the party behind it. The Whiskey Wash, while appreciative of this, did keep full independent editorial control over this article. Jameson isn’t the only whiskey-maker inspired by beer. New Holland has a Beer Barrel Bourbon and Charbay Distillery in California actually distills finished beer to make it’s Whiskey R5, using Bear Republic’s Racer 5 IPA. However, it’s still a bit of a novelty — one that Jameson has done well. Really, it’s not that much of a leap when one considers that Jameson typically ages its whiskey in bourbon barrels from the U.S. and fortified wine barrels from Spain. Why not beer barrels from Cork?