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Release Notes
This started life as two completely separate whiskies.
Following a few days spent on Islay about 8 years ago, Jon has always been a big fan of Peaty whiskies and was very keen for Robbo to create a new whisky in this distinctive style.
At the same time, Mark had asked for a Smokey style whisky, similar to Highland Park or Talisker. With help from 'Uncle' John (the master blender at his work), Robbo created two amazing whiskies that spurred a heated debate as to which was better.
The discussion continued well into the night at a hotel outside Bristol (only interrupted to listen to Celtic winning their Uefa cup semi), culminating in a moment of genius... someone (can't remember who) mixed the two whiskies in the same glass. It tasted amazing, distinctive yet smooth, Smokey and Peaty at the same time: The Smokey Peaty One was born.
It's referred to as a Vatted Malt, as Robbo has used his skill in picking the very best single malts to create the flavour we want, from The Islands of Orkney, Mull and Islay. (This is different to a blend, which is often predominantly grain whisky rather than all malt).
1991 Caol Ila 5% refill casks - ex American oak bourbon barrels
1991 Laphroaig 8% refill casks - ex American oak bourbon barrels
1997 Bunnahabhain 17% American oak sherry
1997 Bunnahabhain 9% refill casks - ex American oak bourbon barrels
1997 Highland Park 26% Spanish Oak Sherry butts
1998 Highland Park 14% American oak hogsheads
1998 Ledaig 9% refill casks - ex American oak bourbon barrels
1998 Bowmore 8% refill casks - ex American oak bourbon barrels
1998 Laphroaig 4% refill casks - ex American oak bourbon barrels
Jon, Mark & Robbo
3rd Party Tasting Notes
Appearance: Nice burnished brass or amber gold in the bottle. Nice edge line on the glass when you swirl it, smooth layer of whiskey on swirling (absolutely even, no legs to speak of).
First Impression: Peat reek and a subtler smokiness at the same time, orange, some floral notes. Lots of dark fruit smells at the end as well.
Taste: Medium weight mouth feel (for a scotch). Orange honey, dark fruits, toffee and a peaty, lingering, warm finish.
Final Thoughts: A very interesting vatted blend. A gentler, kinder Islay style to get people on the road to the real stuff. Also you don't have to waste that precious old Ardbeg on someone who might not like it. A good way for someone to explore the dark side of scotch without getting burned.
First Impression: Peat reek and a subtler smokiness at the same time, orange, some floral notes. Lots of dark fruit smells at the end as well.
Taste: Medium weight mouth feel (for a scotch). Orange honey, dark fruits, toffee and a peaty, lingering, warm finish.
Final Thoughts: A very interesting vatted blend. A gentler, kinder Islay style to get people on the road to the real stuff. Also you don't have to waste that precious old Ardbeg on someone who might not like it. A good way for someone to explore the dark side of scotch without getting burned.
Spirits Review
Nose: Cedary. Logs on the fire. Embers.
Palate: Cedary. Sweet grass. Vegetal. Vanilla.
Finish: Ginger ale.
Comment: Good as far as it goes, but pulls its punches.
Rating: 7/10
Palate: Cedary. Sweet grass. Vegetal. Vanilla.
Finish: Ginger ale.
Comment: Good as far as it goes, but pulls its punches.
Rating: 7/10
Michael Jackson, Whisky Magazine #37
Nose: Malty, bran. Water brings out a whiff of smoke drifting above Dundee cake and nuts.
Palate: Soft start. Well rounded with good weight. Fragrant heathery smoke carrying through. Malt and balanced oak.
Finish: Clean.
Comment: All very well knitted together.
Rating: 7.5/10
Palate: Soft start. Well rounded with good weight. Fragrant heathery smoke carrying through. Malt and balanced oak.
Finish: Clean.
Comment: All very well knitted together.
Rating: 7.5/10
Dave Broom, Whisky Magazine #37
The Blender: Jon, Mark & Robbo"s Easy Drinking Whisky Co.
| Established: 2005 |
| Silent since: False |
| Address: Perthshire, Scotland, PH2 7XZ, UK |
| → website |
In 2007 Jon, Mark and Robbo called it quits at least in the UK.
The straightforward nature of the product, the reasonable price point and inherent quality make JMR attractive to new whisky consumers. According to leading whisky writer Michael Jackson, "The whole idea is to make whisky more accessible and I prefer the more direct approach. Any consumer can understand Smooth Sweet, Rich Spicy and Smokey Peaty and the products do live up to these designations"
The whiskies are packaged in striking, 750 ml wax sealed bottles with caricatures of the three founding friends on the back label. They also include tasting tags and a colorful front label depicting the flavor and style of each whisky.
This innovative approach toward whisky was born when brothers Jon and Mark Geary teamed up with best friend and former Master Distiller of The Macallan, David "Robbo" Robertson. Together they have created whiskies that exemplify each of their personal tastes in whisky, the relaxed nature of their friendship, as well as the excellence and quality associated with Robbo"s whisky background.
"We"ve completely chucked the whisky rule book. So you can toss your tie and drink it where you like, when you like, and how you like. It is for enjoying, not worshipping," says Robbo. "Our names are on every bottle, and you can be sure that we wouldn"t endorse anything that we wouldn"t serve to our friends or family."
Leaving cliched bagpipes and tartan garb in Scotland, best friends Jon Geary, Mark Geary and David "Robbo" Robertson launched Jon, Mark and Robbo"s Easy Drinking Whisky Company (JMR) in the U.S. in 2005, offering American consumers a fresh, inventive way to enjoy whisky. Tired of whisky"s intimidation factor, these three mates introduce three malts that focus, instead, on flavor, fun and friends: The Rich Spicy One, The Smokey Peaty One, The Smooth Sweeter One and last The Fresh Fruity One. The Fresh Fruity one is not a vatted malt but a blended grain whisky including grain whiskies from all 6 grain distilleries currently in production: Cameronbridge, Girvan, Invergordon, North British, Port Dundas and Strathclyde.
It appears that Jon, Mark and Robbo's Easy Drinking Whisky Company has gone dormant in 2011 according to some filings available on the internet.
from Spirits Review, Scotch Blog, Interwebs