Jameson Whiskey is an Irish spirit that has survived prohibitions and wars throughout centuries in order to get to its current position. Not only is whiskey the fastest growing spirit, growing at an average of 10% per year, but Jameson by far the biggest provider of the drink. Although it’s all made in Ireland, it’s sold the world over, with most of its production going to other countries.
This popularity is a big reason that there is a predicted shortage of the spirit in the coming years as more distilleries start to make stocks to meet the demand. And Jameson isn’t just distilled and rushed out the door like some other drinks. The company reportedly ages its stocks for at least four years before releasing them out into the world.
What’s more, more and more celebrities are coming out publicly as fans of the drink, which is only sure to increase its popularity.
Add all of this together and you can expect that the price of whiskey will probably be going up in the near future.
Fans of the brand, however, won’t be bothered by higher prices. The spirit already sells for more than your typical vodka or brandy and, considering this fact, it’s still massively popular. It is the smooth and smoky taste they’re attracted to, which the company attributes to its more involved distillation and ageing process.
Jameson Whiskey Prices
Jameson Whiskey prices vary wildly, but then again so do the tastes of the different variants. While the basic Jameson is aged for four years, for example, some of their offerings have been aged for far longer. Jameson 12 Year Old Special Reserve has been aged for three times as long, but it will only cost you about double the prices.
Type | Size | Price | Proof |
|---|---|---|---|
Jameson Irish Whiskey | 750ml | $19.98 - $22.99 | 80 |
1L | $27.99 - $36.99 | 80 | |
1.75L | $37.99 - $44.99 | 80 | |
Jameson Caskmates IPA Edition | 750ml | $32.99 - $39.99 | 80 |
Jameson Caskmates Stout Edition | 750ml | $21.98 - $29.99 | 80 |
Jameson Black Barrel | 750ml | $27.99 - $34.99 | 80 |
The 2017 Jameson Limited Edition Bottle | 750ml | $28.99 - $65.00 | 80 |
Jameson 18 Year Old Limited Reserve | 750ml | $109.99 - $169.99 | 80 |
Jameson Rarest Vintage Reserve | 750ml | $1,499.99 - $1,999.97 | 92 |
Jameson Cooper's Croze | 750ml | $59.99 - $181.99 | 86 |
Jameson Blender's Dog | 750ml | $59.99 - $69.99 | 86 |
Jameson Irish Whiskey (12yr) 1780 | 750ml | $49.99 - $59.99 | 80 |
Why is the Rarest Vintage Reserve so Expensive?
You may have noticed that Jameson Rarest Vintage Reserve is the most expensive bottle on this list, costing more than many other high-end spirits.
The reason for this higher expense is that the rarest vintage reserve is actually a blend of different aged offerings from the company. For the most part, the whiskeys used in the creation of these bottles even surpass the 18 Year Limited Reserve and some may have been left in the oak casks for 20 years.
There is also a limited amount that is bottled so it is in fact super rare. Every year the stock becomes more and more limited and the price increases to reflect.
And yes, the proof is correct - the rarest vintage offers a stronger alcoholic kick than any of the other drinks sold by the company. Even so, you can drink without any hesitation, since the spirit has a superior smoothness that can be enjoyed neat.
What are Some Alternatives in the Same Price Range?
Unfortunately for Irish Whiskey lovers on a budget, the market for these products is increasing and the production may not be able to keep up comfortably with the demand in upcoming years. Add to that the fact that the industry is small (there are only 18 makers of Irish Whiskey, all from Ireland, and there were far fewer before), and you have a pretty stable price.
You could go for Kilbeggan, which is also a delicious product and costs about $24 per 750 ml bottle. Or you could try Knappogue Castle 12 Year Old, which is of a similar quality to Jameson 12 Year, but it also costs just about the same at around $60.00 a bottle.
In short, since the prices for Irish Whiskey are so similar across brands, you’ll be able to make a decision solely on taste without being distracted by fancy discounted brands.
What is a “Blender’s Dog” and Why the Cost?
To put it simply, blenders and coopers are job titles for people involved in the process of making whiskey. As with the rarest vintage, these are both blends of different whiskeys, reportedly chosen by the named professional himself.
As for the taste the Cooper’s Croze carries notes of vanilla and the Blender’s Dog has a hint of butterscotch. The higher price is mainly related to the novelty of it all, as these do taste different from the plain Jameson whiskey.
Common Recipes: What to Mix With Jameson Whiskey
Lovers of Irish Whiskey will know that the drink can be appreciated just fine neat, especially with more ageing and quality. Many people prefer to have it this way, even shunning ice, as it allows them to taste all of the complex flavors of the spirit.
Yet there are no shortage of cocktail recipes for whiskey. Here are a few of our favorites:
Old-Fashioned
Old-Fashions have been around for centuries and combine sweet and bitter tastes with an alcoholic twist. Although some bartenders are moving toward the use of brandy for these, whiskey is the traditional drink of choice. Combine the following ingredients in a whiskey glass and serve:
John Collins
The John Collins uses the magic of club soda to give you the feeling that you’re drinking an alcoholic carbonated soft drink. It tastes great with a strong flavorful spirit like whiskey. Since the drink is larger than your typical cocktail, you’ll be putting the following ingredients in a Collins glass after shaking them in a cocktail shaker this time instead of the typical whiskey glass.
Future Price Changes in Irish Whiskey
As stated before, some experts claim that there will be an Irish Whiskey shortage in the near future as the relatively small natural production is going to have to meet rising demand. In fact, this has already happened this year, with Jameson’s own 18 Year Old price having reportedly risen by over $70.00 from last year.
Some investors are even asking if it might be better to just keep it and sell it for a profit in the next few years.
Whatever the case may be, it appears it won’t be a long-term problem, as a large number of new Irish distilleries have started up recently to try to meet the increased demand.
Nevertheless, Jameson’s reputation will probably keep the price relatively high. It seems that no matter what happens, their popularity just keeps rising. Between 2016 and 2017 alone, Jameson’s sales rose 12%.
That being said, in a few years, you might get lucky and be able to enjoy the taste of a competing Irish Whiskey for a lower price than today, but Jameson and other established brands, like Kilbeggan and Knappogue will probably maintain their high prices and go up even more. That is, unless the world becomes obsessed over some other type of hard alcohol.