Jameson Caskmates IPA Review: 'Beer meets Irish Whiskey in style'

Especially for whisky lovers who also enjoy a good beer, some distillers create spirits finished in beer casks. Jameson is one of them: their Jameson Caskmates series includes an IPA release. With summer on the way, this might just be the whiskey you’ll be sipping on a sunny patio soon. Find out in this Jameson Caskmates IPA Review.

The Jameson Caskmates adventure began in 2013, sparked by a chance conversation in a local bar with surprising consequences. The chat was between Dave Quinn, Jameson’s Head of Whiskey Science, and the head brewer at Franciscan Well Brewery. It led to a swap of casks—and in this case, the trade paid off handsomely.
The brewery created Jameson Aged Stout and Jameson Aged Pale Ale, two beers that went on to win multiple awards.

Jameson flipped the script: distilling whiskey and finishing it in the brewery’s beer casks. The aim was to craft a whiskey that would appeal to beer drinkers as well. That meant the whiskey makers at the Jameson Midleton Distillery had to think outside the box.

What emerged was a whole new series that began with the Jameson Caskmates Stout Edition, quickly followed by this distinctive whiskey: Jameson Caskmates IPA. Jameson Caskmates IPA Edition is a unique Irish whiskey. After distillation, it’s finished in casks that previously held IPA craft beer, lending the whiskey a notably sweet profile.

Jameson Caskmates IPA Edition is a singular whiskey that, on the nose, almost comes across like a craft beer. With your eyes closed, you might struggle to tell them apart. Sweet hop notes take the lead, interwoven with citrus. Give it a swirl and a moment more, and tones of wood and barley emerge. A drop of lukewarm water brings the barley out even further. Beer lovers will feel right at home here.

The first sip is fairly sweet, with the beer’s hops greeting you right away. Let the Jameson rest on your tongue and citrus and other fruit step in, followed by a gentle spicy kick. It’s as if a glass of whiskey clinked with a dark beer and a splash made its way into the whiskey, the flavors mingling. You taste craft beer—and you taste whiskey. It stays soft from start to finish, though it does make a fairly quick exit.

With Caskmates IPA, Jameson delivers a very approachable whiskey for newcomers—at a pleasantly gentle price point. If you enjoy a craft beer now and then, you’ll likely love this whiskey. Jameson has crafted it to spark instant recognition on your palate. Whisky fans with a sweet tooth will also appreciate Jameson Caskmates IPA.

Looking for a whiskey that lingers all evening with depth, complexity, and a long finish? This isn’t the one. Want a whiskey to share with friends on a hot summer day out on the terrace? You’ve come to the right place.

+ Very affordable whiskey

+ Whiskey for beer lovers

+ Soft from start to finish

- Quite a short finish