Jameson Unveils New Whiskey And Cheese Pairing Experience For St. Patrick’s Day!

Big news for whiskey and cheese fans! Have you ever looked for the ideal combination of these two indulgences – premium whiskey and high-end cheese? Well, Jameson and Dublin based cheesemonger, Loose Canon, have come up trumps for St Patrick’s Day 2019!

Just in time for one of the biggest parties of the year, Jameson have released Bow Street 18 Years Cask Strength; the only cask strength Jameson to be available globally that finishes its maturation in Dublin’s only live Maturation House in the Jameson Distillery Bow Street. But that’s not all, to mark the launch, Jameson has partnered with artisanal Dublin cheesemonger, Loose Canon, to inspire discerning whiskey drinkers to master whiskey and cheese pairing with the Jameson 18 family this St. Patrick’s Day.

The Whiskey

Jameson Bow Street 18 Years Cask Strength is presented in a luxury bottle design that truly reflects the quality and rarity of the liquid within. The bottle features 18 facets, one for each year of maturation, and the wooden presentation box celebrates the traditional pot stills used during the production process. The result is the pinnacle of the Jameson family, with a distinct aroma of wood and spicy toffee, a wonderfully mellow, smooth and complex palette of vanilla, leather and sherry, and a long, lingering finish that carries the luxurious spice and toffee flavours through to the end. Jameson Bow Street 18 Years Cask Strength can be enjoyed neat, on the rocks or with the gradual addition of water or ice to slowly release its intricate flavours. The collectable bottle is presented at 55.1% ABV and will be available in the USA, Europe and Asia from August 2019 at the RRP of €240.

The Cheeses

Jameson has partnered with craft Dublin cheesemonger, Loose Canon, to inspire discerning whiskey drinkers to embark on a journey of flavour discovery through whiskey and cheese matching with the Jameson 18 family. Each born from a traditional craft production method using careful maturation and offering complex and powerful flavour profiles, whiskey and cheese pairing is a new tasting ritual that is growing in popularity and will add a luxurious layer to St. Patrick’s Day festivities this year. Jameson Master Blender, Billy Leighton, and Loose Canon cheesemonger, Kevin Powell, have created the following pairings and matching principles to encourage Jameson drinkers to get creative.

One of the best combinations recommended by Loose Canon is Jameson 18 Year Old with St. Tola Irish Goat Cheese from County Clare. The fresh and acidic goats’ milk really works to enhance sweetness and adds another dimension to this particular whiskey. 

However, if you are looking for some long term inspiration when it comes to pairings, follow these Jameson Irish Whiskey and cheese pairing principles:

1. Choose a whiskey to taste and identify its key flavours on the nose and palate through taste or by exploring its tasting notes
2. If you are matching a flight of whiskeys, stay within one family and work from milder to stronger flavours – too much variation will confuse the palate
3. Whiskey and cheese pairing is about balancing strong flavours – play with contrasts, such as matching sweet notes found in whiskeys with more bitter flavours in some cheeses
4. Flavour echoing is also a top tip, such as pairing a whiskey with a creamy mouth-feel with a creamy cheese
5. As a general rule, older whiskeys tend to pair well with sharp, powerful cheeses, while younger whiskeys complement tangier cheeses.