As an expert sommelier and brewer, I can provide you with a detailed answer to your question about the difference between Jameson and Jameson Select Reserve.
Jameson is a well-known Irish whiskey that has been enjoyed by whiskey enthusiasts for many years. It is a blend of triple-distilled pot still whiskey, which is made from a mix of malted and unmalted barley, and grain whiskey, which is made from corn, wheat, or barley. This combination of pot still and grain whiskey gives Jameson its smooth and balanced flavor profile.
On the other hand, Jameson Select Reserve is a premium expression of Jameson that offers a higher level of complexity and depth. It is also a blend of single pot still whiskey and small batch grain whiskey, but with a higher proportion of pot still whiskey compared to the original Jameson.
The use of single pot still whiskey in Jameson Select Reserve sets it apart from the original Jameson. Single pot still whiskey is made from a mixture of malted and unmalted barley, and it is exclusively produced in Ireland. It is known for its rich and robust flavors, with notes of spices, nuts, and fruit.
By incorporating a larger amount of single pot still whiskey in the blend, Jameson Select Reserve offers a more intense and flavorful experience. The higher proportion of pot still whiskey provides additional complexity and depth to the whiskey, with a stronger emphasis on the unique flavors and characteristics of this style of whiskey.
In terms of taste, Jameson Select Reserve is often described as having a richer and more full-bodied flavor compared to the original Jameson. It has a smooth and velvety texture, with notes of vanilla, honey, toasted oak, and a hint of spice. The additional complexity and depth of flavors make it a favorite among whiskey connoisseurs.
It is worth noting that Jameson Select Reserve is not a single malt whiskey. Single malt whiskey is made from malted barley and produced at a single distillery. Jameson Select Reserve, on the other hand, is a blend of single pot still whiskey and small batch grain whiskey, sourced from different distilleries in Ireland.
The main difference between Jameson and Jameson Select Reserve lies in the ratio of single pot still whiskey to small batch grain whiskey in the blend. Jameson Select Reserve offers a higher proportion of single pot still whiskey, resulting in a more intense and flavorful whiskey with added complexity and depth. However, it is important to note that both Jameson and Jameson Select Reserve are exceptional Irish whiskeys, each with its own unique qualities and characteristics.