Review: Jameson Wild Sloe Berry Bitters
Unveiled for Tales of the Cocktail 2015, Jameson released its first-ever bitters, taking them to an unexpected and exotic place: the sloe berry.
The sloe berry is primarily known — OK, exclusively known — for its use in sloe gin. Here, Jameson blends up sloe berry distillate, Jameson whiskey, a mix of bittering agents that includes wormwood, gentian, and ginseng, plus a bit of caramel color to produce a distinctive new bitters.
The nose is distinctively tart and fruity, backed with an appropriately root beer overtone. On the tongue, it’s (of course) quite bitter, but not as tough as you might think, with the tart sloe berries offering some balance. The finish sticks closely to the gentian/wormwood playbook, which is really just what you want from a bottle of bitters.
Of course this is not meant for solo consumption, and the sloe berry element is a surprisingly perfect foil for whiskey. While I know this is intended as a complement for Irish, give it a go with bourbon to coax out some lovely cherry notes.
92 proof.
A- / $NA (available only to bars) / jamesonwhiskey.com
Jameson Wild Sloe Berry Bitters
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Any clues about pricing and distribution? Or at least release date?
Ronald, from Jameson: “Currently, Jameson Bitters are solely being supplied for the on-trade, as a further vehicle to ignite the creativity of leading mixologists globally. The addition of bitters will be made available through the on-trade to consumers, who are always searching for new flavours and innovation in their drinks. We will inform you if any broader roll-out plans are announced in the future.”
We have enjoyed our Doublin Jameson’s tour, we also took part in the introduction of Sloe Berry Bitters. We’re from the USA’s Northwest Coast, North of Seattle Wa. We’ve been Jameson consumers for the last twenty five years. Somehow we’e misplaced out ingredient card that came with our Sloe Beery Bitters. Would you be so kind as to send us a reply with the three part ingredients. And, can it be crafted with regular Jameson’s? Since it’s only available in Ireland. We also have consumed our two small Black Barrel Jameson’s, and now we’d like to try it with our remaining Sloe Berry Bitters. Thanks in advance. Some day in our further we’re coming back for another visit; oh yea!