Jim McEwan Signature Collection 4.2, Port Charlotte 2009 11 years old First Fill Juracon barrique

Jim McEwan Signature Collection 4.23, Port Charlotte 2009 11 years old First Fill Juracon barrique

Distilled on 1st April 2009 this whisky spent its whole 11-year life maturing in cask #1061. This maturation took place in a 1st fill Juracon barrique. An area renowned for production of wines from as early as the 14th century. Nestled in the foothills of the Pyrenees it produces both dry and sweet wines, the sweet being far more highly prized. Unusually it produces not just white sweet wine but also read, as can certainly be seen here! Most of these red Juracon’s use the Arrouya Noir grape variety which has been grown in the area from at least the 18th century.

Bottled in October 2021 as Release 4.2 of the Jim McEwan Signature Collection, like all bottlings within the collection, it was bottled un-chill filtered, with no added colour, and at natural cask strength of 61.4% (as we always say, Jim would have it no other way!), it yielded only 271 bottles.

Tasting Notes from Jim McEwan

Aromas - Sensational combination of smoke infused plump red grapes and pomegranate that doesn’t overshadow the maltiness, nuttiness or the Islay pedigree!

Palate - Matured a stone’s throw from the Atlantic, you will detect a briny quality that mingles beautifully with dry smokiness of peat fires. It’s complex oak, smoke, fruit, Islay grown barley, marine overtures and ancient equipment. No computers, just dedicated Distillers and time. The stunning quality of the wine cask is the perfect foil for the peat smoke influence as they mature as one by the Atlantic Ocean. It’s the Auld alliance at its very best.

Distilled by the people of Islay who have been born to follow in their Forefathers footsteps, no colouring, no chemists. Just humble Islanders who leave their DNA on every bottle with pride and passion.

Bottled off Islay, matured 100% on Islay with its unique position in the Atlantic Ocean free from pollution and cleansed by mighty storms.

The finish is long and lingers on the palate due to non-chill filtration giving the amazing mouthfeel!