Superstitious Scotch

Jura Superstition

Coming across a scotch box with a gleaming silver Ankh was nothing but a surprise at first. Why above all, would I be seeing Egyptian symbolism on a stout, indigo-colored package that, in speculation, appears more baleful than endearing? Tapping into resources further exemplified by the internet, I find more than a few possibilities to unravel an edifying mystery. As most philosophers and scientists will tell you, common answers usually yield more questions and only add to our misunderstandings. Common ignorance within this universe is debatable, but when it comes to marketing, it does wonders for eager scotch consumers. I’m not  exactly, but there’s something about the “Island of Jura” that has me flipping through books on  mythological geography, wondering why I’ve never heard of it. Realistically, when we talk about single-malts, the place to be, is the Islay, Speyside, Lowlands, Highlands, and the Campbeltown area on the Kintyre Peninsula. There are a whole range of islands too, but not one that seems to have enough paranormality.

Well, there’s a little more to this water-locked idea of mysticisms and rites...there’s actually a scotch called, “Jura” from an island with the same name, and with equal astonishment, it’s the only distillery on the map. Simple enough, right? There’s a little more to divulge on though, considering that the commercial advertising has people spelunking through the interior of their website to discover the fabled “13 Superstitions” that could win them a trip to their Scotland locale. But I begin to wonder if there’s some truth about these adherences to the superstitious and a mission to create good whisky based on a certain duality of old world craziness and contemporary talents. That’s the ideal isn’t it? Who is to say that the tomfoolery of the past has no practical value in the workplace?        

Yes friends, the stuff is incredibly good. Probably the right balance between peatiness, smoke, and if you agree...fruits. “The Superstition” as repeated once again, is actually the name of their younger whisky, with an old rune symbol stuck to the front, acting as the single anachronism found on this lesser-aged edition. There’s everything from this, to a selection of more “Boutique” distillations that will probably require the sort of layaway that has nothing to do with bottle ageing, but why go all out? You have a single malt here that’s willing to uncover some of the clues leading to notes of coffee, woodspice and raw honey. For fifty bucks, it’s not nearly as dear, compared to others priced beyond comprehension; items if anything, that are almost intangible at 16 years of age or more.

The big thing with scotch seems to be, that “the name” bides the interest in total, so most of the most well-known producers are usually the most profitable. Maybe so, but the truth is, that others’ preferences are mandated by pure speculation and that indefinite kookiness behind personal taste. Like wine, the scotch world is just as subjective and open to opinion. Which is funny, because this 200-year-old distillery seems to have been pushing away human cares in order to focus on something greater, more incredulous than squabbles over good drinking. I can say, that “Jura” has a very shaded past, one that has probably kept the distillery alive since its heyday. Musing on that, I’ve always felt there’s nothing like uncovering an old yarn every now and then and I can tell you, there’s much more fun in being able to drink on the logistics of it. 

Mirrors, smoke, but not the other way around. 

Brian Maniotis

Westchester Wine Warehouse Team

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