![]() I was hoping to meet some locals – the distillery seemed operational but deserted – but only found other outsiders and a pair of travellers who’d come in from Glasgow. The barman that evening was also English. When I arrived I was greeted with an English accent, so I figured it was more likely the latter. Palm trees outside suggested that there was either a healthy sense of optimism or a wry sense of humour that operated there. I was hoping to have a look around the distillery, across from which was the Jura Hotel the only one on the island. I’d first heard of Jura because of the Jura whisky on sale in my local Co-op in London. A thin concrete pier jutted out, providing a connection to land for two small boats, one of which looked decidedly worse for wear. You can’t miss it, it’s the only pub on the island.” I was dropped at the front door as the minibus was trundling off I realised I hadn’t asked his name.Ī deer heading down to the sea at dinner time (Photo: Paul Stafford)Ĭraighouse was actually more like a long preponderance of buildings strung out along the shore, with a huge whisky distillery in their midst. “Well I’ll meet you in the pub later and we can talk more about it. “I might join you, are you going tomorrow?” he asked. I confessed that I was hoping to climb the Paps of Jura if the weather would allow. ![]() Patches of trees are scant, protected from the deer by high fences. During the autumn months their auburn coats camouflage seamlessly against the dying bracken that carpets most of the island. “They love coming down of a late afternoon and eating the stuff at this time of year,” he said.ĭespite the island’s diminutive human population, there are more than 5000 deer. A little further along the road a young stag munched at a piece of seaweed. A small minibus was waiting at the Feolin pier to take foot passengers onward.Ī middle-aged man with salt and pepper hair pointed out a brace of deer, wandering down to the sea shore. ![]() Despite the tiny population of Jura, public transport was exemplary, like everywhere in Scotland. The fading year lends confident colours to the land, at once hostile and beguiling. I rubbed my bruising arm as we landed on the auburn husk of the island. “You might want to take a seat” said the skipper grinning, as he piloted the vessel with practiced expertise.įerry crossing at dawn (Photo: Paul Stafford) Only one minute in, a seemingly small wave was enough to broadside the ferry –capacity: three cars – and throw me up against an iron railing. ![]() The ferry I had taken across from Islay had stumbled over the surf like a lecherous drunk. During these months everything seems much quieter in and around the distillery. Although in operation round the clock, outside of summer months the unpredictable weather leaves Jura cut off, as choppy seas and high winds cause cancellations to ferries from neighbouring Islay. With the mechanisation of the whisky-making process, fewer people than ever are needed to run the distillery. During times like this, whisky makes more sense than ever. Jura is especially exposed head west and there is nothing but untameable Atlantic for roughly two thousand miles. All along the west coast of Scotland, storms and rain seem to take up residence like migratory birds. On the Hebridean island of Jura, the weather can be rather punishing. Jura 18-Year-Old – 44% ABV £75 (around $105 USD) 18 years old aged in American white oak ex-bourbon barrels and finished in ex-Premier Grand Cru Classé Bordeaux barrels.The Paps of Jura as seen from Islay (Photo: Paul Stafford).Jura Seven Wood – 42% ABV £59 (around $82 USD) non-age statement aged in a combination of first-fill ex-bourbon American White Oak, Vosges, Bertranges, Jupilles, Allier, Tronçais & Limousin barrels.Jura 12-Year-Old – 40% ABV £48 (around $67 USD) 12 years old aged in American white oak ex-bourbon barrels and finished in ex-Oloroso sherry casks.Jura 10-Year-Old – 40% ABV £38 (around $53 USD) 10 years old aged in American white oak ex-bourbon barrels and finished in ex-Oloroso sherry casks.Jura Journey – 40% ABV £33 (around $46 USD) non-age statement aged in American white oak ex-bourbon barrels.You’ll find a little more information below on each of the new bottlings, all expected to debut into domestic markets beginning sometime in April. We can’t wait for people to try and it and see for themselves.” Combining two styles of whisky is a fairly unorthodox approach, but one that we know is right for Jura. “A new house style of whisky is not for the faint-hearted but it tells you where we are now and how committed we are to Jura, the community and our whiskies for the long term. “This marks a hugely significant step for Jura,” said Graham Long, the Jura distillery manager, in a prepared statement.
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