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Blend “John Barr” bears the name of a master blender known among producers of strong alcohol and first saw the light in 1995. This is one of the youngest brands of blended Scotch whiskey, having gained popularity in Britain, Western Europe, the United States and Brazil in two decades.
Historical reference. The brand is owned by Whyte & Mackay, founded in 1882 by two entrepreneurs from farming families, James White and Charles Mackay. James was a member of the infamous Scottish MacGregor clan. In dark medieval times, due to inter-clan confrontations, the fearless warriors and knights of MacGregor lost their lands and livelihoods. King James VI, having outlawed them, hoped to expel the clan from Scotland, but he did not succeed. Representatives of the family of heroes changed their names and continued to rebel, set the Scots against the government. The most common name was White. The government changed, the MacGregors were rehabilitated, but they did not want to change their names.
The rebellious character is still the main clan trait, it was fully possessed by James White, the inspirer of all joint experiments, the creator of the first blend of the company – the White and McKay branded blend, which is now sold as Special Reserve.
He, James White, also came up with the design of the label – two red lions. At first they looked quite peaceful, but at the suggestion of Charles Mackay, the designers “added character to the lions”, and now we see angry, or rebelling lions like MacGregors on the label.
The company owns 5 distilleries – acquired by the first Dalmcre, whose spirits formed the basis of Whyte & Mockay, Torrntoul-GlenIivet, Isle of Juro, Fettercarin and Brmchladdicri blends. The company itself became part of the Jim Beam Brands group. And the world-famous Richard Paterson, a permanent member of the jury of international wine and spirits competitions, the author of three dozen internationally recognized whiskeys, has been working in the company for 47 years now as a blending master.
Features of the brand
The blend is based on malt whiskey, characterized by purity and warmth of a mild taste. The standard blend of “John Barr” is the same as that of Johnnie Walker – this is Red Label, which includes 9 malt varieties aged up to five years. The base malt is a honey-sweet Spey with heather flavors. Characteristic features of the drink: smokiness, thick rich taste and notes of peat in the aroma.
Types of whiskey “John Barr”
John Barr Finest (40%). A golden honey scotch with warm aromas of honey, vanilla and wildflowers. The taste is round, spicy, slightly smoky with a warm nutty aftertaste. Recommended by bartenders as an aperitif and digestif, with plenty of ice, with soda or, in American style, with cola. Whiskey is successfully used as an ingredient for cocktails – John Barr Finest goes well with apple juice, dry red wine, cherry nectar.
John Barr Reserve (40%). Blended mahogany-colored drink with golden reflections, pleasantly smells of honey, caramel, heather smoke and the freshness of green apples. Harmonious taste with hints of malt, nougat, honey and sherry. Short burning aftertaste with almond notes. Connoisseurs recommend drinking whiskey with ice or soda as an aperitif and digestif. Bartenders often use it for cocktails – John Barr Reserve goes well with grape and apple juice, cherry nectar, vermouth and dry red wine.
How and with what to drink
Scotch whiskey is a category of self-sufficient strong drinks that do not require mandatory gastronomic accompaniment. Such alcohol is best consumed neat, with a little water added or with ice. As an appetizer, a good dark chocolate or a quality cigar is suitable. Scotch is often a part of many popular cocktails.
“Dry Manhattan”
Compound:
- 20 ml whiskey;
- 20 ml of orange juice;
- 20 ml of apricot juice;
- 1 cocktail cherry
Cooking:
Pour alcohol and juices into a shaker, shake well and pour into a cocktail glass. Decorate with a cherry on top.
“Bogatyr health”
Ingredients:
- 20 ml whiskey;
- 20 ml of rum;
- 20 ml of cherry liqueur;
- 20 ml Drambuie liqueur.
How to cook:
Fill the glass with ice cubes. Mix all the above ingredients in a shaker and pour into a glass.
“Blood and Sand”
Compound:
- 25 ml whiskey;
- 25 ml of red vermouth;
- 25 ml of cherry liqueur;
- 25 ml orange juice;
- 150 g ice cubes.
How to cook:
Put ice and all cocktail components in a shaker, shake well and pour into a tall glass using a strainer.
“Velvet Elvis”
Ingredients:
- 15 ml whiskey;
- 30 ml of Chambord liqueur;
- 15 ml fresh lime;
- 120 ml citrus soda.
Cooking:
Pour whiskey, liqueur and lime juice into a shaker, shake. Using a strainer, pour the mixture into an ice-filled glass. Top with soda and gently stir with a bar spoon. Garnish with a fresh lime wedge.
Tasting properties and features of whiskey “John Barr”
Malt whiskey “John Barr” is characterized by transparency, softness and warmth of taste. The traditional blend of John Barr whiskey consists of 9 malt varieties, the exposure of which is up to 5 years. The main malt in the drink is the honey-sweet Spey, which has a touch of heather. Distinctive features of the drink are smoky aroma, rich taste and peaty notes.
Whiskey “John Barr” is presented today to buyers in two main varieties, each of which has its own individual characteristics and taste characteristics:
- John Barr Finest . The strength of the drink is 40%, and the color is distinguished by golden-honey hues. In the aroma of this variety, pronounced tones of honey, wild flowers and fruits are felt. The taste qualities of alcohol are represented by spicy notes, harmoniously intertwined with a warm nutty aftertaste. Bartenders recommend using whiskey of this brand as an aperitif or digestif, using a sufficient amount of ice cubes, soda or cola. In alcoholic cocktails, this variety is also used as an ingredient, and one of the most famous is the John Barr Finest drink, which goes great with dry red wine, cherry nectar and apple juice.
- John Barr Reserve . This makri whiskey is also 40% ABV, and a superb blend of mahogany with hints of honey, caramel, heather smoke and fresh green apples makes it especially enjoyable. In a harmonious taste, shades of nougat, sherry, honey and malt are clearly felt, and a long aftertaste is distinguished by burning notes of almonds. Experts recommend drinking this type of whiskey with soda or ice before and after meals. In alcoholic cocktails, this whiskey goes well with apple, grape and cherry juice, as well as dry red wine or vermouth.
Cost of whiskey John Barr
In our country, the purchase of John Barr whiskey is affordable for many connoisseurs of alcohol and ordinary lovers of non-standard alcoholic beverages. In supermarkets and specialty stores selling original alcohol, the average cost of different brands of John Barr whiskey is presented in the following ranges:
- John Barr Finest . A bottle with a capacity of 0.5 liters will have an approximate cost of 15-17$; 0.7 liters will cost about 20-25$, and a liter glass bottle has a price of 27-30$.
- John Barr Reserve . A bottle of 0.7 liters usually costs between 16-18 rubles, and the same brand of whiskey in a glass bottle with a capacity of 1 liter will cost 17-22$.