Jura has unveiled a new range of sherry-finished whiskies that combine its unique island spirit with a hint of sherry warmed by the Spanish sunshine. The first release is the 12 Year Old Oloroso Edition, inspired by the Spanish culture of ‘sobremesa’, which will be available in the UK from September 2026.
Translated from Spanish, sobremesa simply means to linger at the table. This represents the heart of what the Jura team wanted to create with the new expressions. Jura
is a spirit they want you to savour with family and friends, to celebrate moments and create memories filled with flavour and warmth. My first taste of the 12 Year Old whisky tells me they could be on to something.
A balanced, flavourful whisky has to come from a good, solid base, and Jura new make spirit certainly provides that. It’s light and bright, bringing soft coastal qualities imbibed as it makes its way through the huge copper pot stills and then matures on the Isle of Jura. The spirit matures in a mix of first- and second-fill ex-bourbon American oak barrels for around 10 years, then fully finished in a combination of American and European Oak Oloroso sherry hogsheads for the next two years.
What is very clear is that this project has been a labour of love for the Jura team, and particularly Master Blender Dr Kirstie McCallum and Blender Joe Ricketts. “We’re trying to do something a little bit different to get something that’s exceptional for the consumer and to really focus on the character without losing the Jura core spirit,” said McCallum. “Want to keep that Jura spirit but elevate it with the lovely finish of the sherry.”
The result is a whisky rich in flavour, with a nutty sweetness that complements the deep fruity notes of the sherry. “It was deliberately created to be something quite rich and complex, yet still approachable and compelling,” said Ricketts, adding that they had wanted it to be “something that’s a bit of an all-rounder”.
And it certainly hits the brief. It is unmistakably Jura, with those stone-fruit and floral notes on the nose, leading into layers of darker fruits like plums and prunes, with a little citrus kick to warm the palate, before a long finish reminiscent of dark chocolate.
Following the relaunch of Jura in August 2025 with a new packaging style that aims to make whisky accessible to seasoned aficionados and novices alike, the sherry-cask-finished editions continue the mission. The 12 Year Old features a deep red colour, and gold embossed Andalusian mosaic tiles – a nod to Jerez and the Oloroso sherry finish. The pack also features simplified tasting notes that highlight three key flavours in the spirit – in this case, prunes, walnuts and dried citrus.
The Jura 12 Year Old Oloroso Edition is available from April in parts of Europe and will launch in the UK in September, alongside the 15 Year Old Manzanilla Edition with notes of zesty, aromatic citrus, almond and delicate sea spray.
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