Isle of Jura single malt Scotch whisky is crafted on one of Scotland’s most remote and sparsely populated islands, located off the west coast, just north-east of Islay. The island of Jura is home to fewer than 250 residents, and one distillery, which has been central to island life for over 60 years. Known for producing a versatile range of styles from unpeated to heavily peated, Jura whiskies capture both the spirit of the island and the innovation of its distillers.
Although Jura has a long history of illicit distilling, the modern Jura Distillery was established in 1963 by local landowners Robin Fletcher and Tony Riley-Smith, who wanted to revive whisky-making on the island after more than a century of absence. Designed by architect Delmé-Evans, the distillery was purpose-built with tall copper stills, among the tallest in Scotland, to produce a lighter, fruitier spirit than the heavy, oily style that might be expected from an island malt.
Jura’s location plays a big role in shaping its character. While it shares the same Hebridean waters and maritime climate as neighbouring Islay, Jura’s whiskies are generally less medicinal and more approachable, often marked by gentle smoke, honeyed sweetness, and a touch of coastal brine. The island’s soft water comes from Loch a’Bhaile-Mhargaidh, and maturation takes place in a mix of American oak ex-bourbon casks and, increasingly, sherry, wine, and rum casks for added complexity.
The core range highlights this diversity:
• Jura 10 Year Old - lightly smoky, with honey, soft spice, and a clean malt backbone.
• Jura 12 Year Old - matured in bourbon and oloroso sherry casks, adding richer fruit and chocolate notes.
• Jura Seven Wood - matured in seven different types of oak for layered complexity.
• Jura Journey - an approachable, entry-level malt with vanilla, citrus, and subtle smoke.
The distillery also produces limited editions and travel retail exclusives, often showcasing higher peat levels or unique cask finishes. In addition, Jura has experimented with heavily peated expressions such as the Superstition and Prophecy bottlings, appealing to fans of bolder flavours.
Independent bottlings of Jura are relatively rare but can provide intriguing contrasts, with bourbon cask versions emphasising bright citrus and cereal notes, and sherry cask bottlings adding dried fruit richness to the maritime smoke.
Flavour-wise, Jura’s unpeated style is typically medium-bodied, with aromas of honey, toffee, and orchard fruit, complemented by gentle coastal salt. Lightly peated expressions introduce soft smoke and earthy spice, while heavily peated releases lean toward richer bonfire smoke and maritime depth. The finish is often smooth and warming, reflecting the distillery’s aim to balance character with drinkability.
Our Isle of Jura Single Malt Scotch Whisky selection includes the approachable core range, special cask finishes, and rare limited editions that showcase the full breadth of the distillery’s style. Whether you’re drawn to its smooth, honeyed character or curious to explore its smokier side, Jura offers a taste of one of Scotland’s most distinctive whisky islands, a place where the landscape, the people, and the spirit are deeply intertwined.
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