Description

Isle of Jura 2009 Aged 16 Years Single Malt Scotch Whisky – Cask Strength Collection By Signatory Vintage Cask #16 (700ml)

Volume: 700ml           ABV: 54.4%           Age: 16 Years Old          Country: Scotland

Cask Number(s): #16
Date of Distilling: 15/04/2009
Date of Bottling: 22/05/2025
Matured In: Refill Sherry Butt then 1st Fill Oloroso Sherry Butt Finish
Un-Chillfiltered

The Whisky

Dive deeper into the “alchemy of wood” with the Jura 16 Year Old 2009 (Signatory Vintage Cask Strength Collection #16). While share-batch details can be similar, this specific bottling is distinguished by its natural cask strength of 54.4% ABV. Distilled on April 15, 2009, and matured for 16 years, this expression was finished in a 1st Fill Oloroso Sherry Butt.

Yielding 677 bottles, Cask #16 represents a “sister” profile to Cask #15, but with that slight uptick in ABV and unique cask interaction that makes single-cask collecting so rewarding. It remains a “raw and refined” look at the island’s spirit—completely free from chill-filtration or artificial colouring—showcasing a deep, natural amber hue and a slightly more robust intensity than its sibling.

Our Tasting Notes

Nose: Heady and atmospheric. You are greeted by a fragrant burst of singed raisins and sea spray, immediately followed by a decadent layer of burnt caramel and toasted pine nuts. As it breathes, the first fill Oloroso influence reveals a more prominent herbal edge and baked apples, with a background whisper of coastal brine that provides a sophisticated, savoury balance.

Palate: The arrival is thick and “resinous,” delivering a classic “salty and sweet” profile with a bit more “bite” at 54.4%. It coats the palate with treacle toffee and smoked dates, which quickly evolve into a mid-palate of liquorice root, nutmeg, and dark chocolate. The signature Jura “oiliness” is a standout here, acting as a perfect conduit for the rich, oxidative fruitiness of the sherry wood.

Finish: Long, warming, and remarkably grounded. The finish lingers with a final flourish of charred oak and bitter cocoa, finally tapering off with a clean trail of maritime dryness and persistent wood spice.

The Distillery

Jura, founded in 1810, is the heart of a community where inhabitants are rare, but character is plentiful. A unique factual detail: The distillery’s stills are among the tallest in Scotland, standing at nearly 8 meters. Originally designed to produce a very light spirit, they were modified in the 1960s to create the robust, oily spirit we see today. Independent releases like this Signatory Cask #16 are highly prized because they allow the “unadulterated” potential of Jura to shine—highlighting the maritime salt and subtle background peat that is often smoothed over in official, large scale bottlings.

Overall Review

The Jura 16 Year Old 2009 Signatory Cask Strength #16 is globally reviewed as a “powerful and evocative islander,” praised for its incredible depth and the high-quality interaction of the 1st-fill Oloroso finish. Critics have lauded its “invigorating coastal character and rich dessert like core,” marking it as a mandatory purchase for those who want to experience Jura’s waxy, salty spirit in a high definition, single-cask format.