Jopen Whisky - Single Malt

Jopen Whisky - Single Malt, 5 YO, 46%

My first review of a whisky from Dutch distillery Jopen. First, let’s consider the name. Jopen is both a brewery and a distillery. When they started they decided to use old Haarlem Purity law recipes. They looked for a name that would reflect the time from the recipes (1400 – 1550). Back then all brewers used barrels that were around 112 liters - half a Barrique, and the nickname for these barrels was a “Jopen”.

For this single malt whisky Jopen have used three different types of malted barley; Pale ale malt, Cara 50 malt and biscuitmalt. It has received a five year maturation in a combination of new oak (both American and Slovenian) casks, ex-bourbon casks and finally ex-Oloroso sherry cask. All in all 12 casks went into this batch.

The Jopen Whisky - Single Malt is available to buy in Norway at NOK 585 (17406502), and direct from the distillery at €57.

Nose: Lovely first impression with deep, rich malty notes. Caramel, vanilla, and toasted oak lead the way, creating a light and approachable profile. Subtle floral notes add elegance, while dried fruits and a hint of mustard seeds emerge with time.

Taste: Medium-bodied, with a charming roughness around the edges. Freshly ground black pepper sprinkles over ripe strawberries and rhubarb, complemented by toasted oak and dark caramel lingering in the background.

Finish: Medium to short, turning a bit more sugary and floral. A pleasant mouthwatering effect makes it enjoyable without the need for added water.

Comment: Very balanced, well-integrated, and impressively mature for its age.

Score: 86/100

Sláinte!
-Thomas