Jameson 18 Year Old Review: Is This £145 Bottle Actually Worth It?

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Look, I'll be honest with you – when I first saw Jameson 18 Year Old priced at £145, I rolled my eyes. Hard.

I mean, this is Jameson we're talking about. The whiskey your mate Dave orders with Coke at the pub. The bottle that sits behind every bar in Britain looking ordinary and familiar. Surely slapping "18 Year Old" on the label and quintupling the price was just clever marketing, right?

Well, after six weeks of testing this thing properly (and yes, I bought it with my own money because nobody's paying me to say nice things about expensive whiskey), I owe Jameson an apology.

This isn't the same whiskey. Not even close.

Why I Actually Bothered Testing This

Three months ago, I walked into Harrods just to browse their whiskey section because, you know, masochism. The Jameson 18 caught my eye mainly because it was sitting next to a £300 bottle of Redbreast 21, looking surprisingly confident about itself.

The shop assistant – probably sensing I was the type to spend too much money on whiskey – mentioned that Jameson 18 was reworked in June 2022 to 46% ABV and non-chill-filtered, a change Master Distiller Kevin O'Gorman says was to 'allow the complexity of this whiskey to shine.' Basically made it a proper whiskey instead of the watered-down version they used to sell.

That got my attention. When big distilleries actually strengthen their premium expressions instead of weakening them, something interesting is usually happening.

So I bought it. And then spent the next month and a half comparing it to everything else in my cabinet that costs between £100-200. Because apparently, that's what I do with my free time now.

Proof I Actually Own This Thing

Since anyone can copy tasting notes from other reviews, here's my bottle sitting on my actual kitchen counter next to last week's shopping receipt. The 2022 release switched to lightweight, fully recyclable cardboard packaging in place of the old wooden box – which honestly feels a bit cheap for £170, but apparently it's more sustainable.

What Actually Changed in 2022 (And Why It Matters)

The old Jameson 18 was 40% ABV and chill filtered – basically the whiskey equivalent of wearing a really nice suit that's two sizes too big. It looked the part but felt a bit... disappointing.

Kevin O'Gorman, their master distiller, basically admitted this when he said the changes were made "to truly allow the complexity of this whiskey to shine." Translation: "Yeah, the old version was a bit rubbish, wasn't it?"

The new version is:

• 46% ABV instead of 40%
• Non-chill filtered
• Comes in lighter, more sustainable packaging (which is nice, I suppose)

Here's why this matters: chill-filtration intentionally strips out fatty acids, proteins and esters that cause haze—and can also carry flavor—especially at lower ABVs. Remove them, and you get a prettier whiskey that tastes like... less.

At 46% ABV with no chill filtration, you get the full experience. And trust me, there's a lot more experience here than I expected.

New to whiskey terminology? Check out this beginner's guide to whiskey tasting to understand what we're talking about with chill filtration and why ABV matters.

The Nose: Actually Quite Impressive

Right, let's talk about what this stuff actually smells like. First thing you notice is honey – the good stuff your gran used to buy from that farm shop that cost twice as much but tasted like actual flowers.

Give it ten minutes in the glass, and things get interesting. Dried fruits (figs, dates, expensive apricots), real vanilla, and this weird note that reminds me of hot cross buns fresh from the oven. My girlfriend thinks I'm mad, but it's definitely there.

Compare this to regular Jameson and it's like comparing a full orchestra to someone humming in the shower.

The Taste: Where Things Get Serious

This is where Jameson 18 either justifies its price tag or reveals itself as an expensive disappointment.

First sip: That signature smoothness tracks—Jameson is triple-distilled. But then the complexity hits you. Golden syrup sweetness right up front, followed by green apple (proper Granny Smiths, not those watery Pink Ladies), then warming spices that build slowly without burning your tongue off.

The tropical fruit thing is real – I get pineapple and mango, which sounds mental but somehow works perfectly. There's also this weird candied fruit note, like the stuff in expensive Christmas cake that actually tastes good.

What impressed me most is how well-balanced everything is. Nothing dominates, nothing fights for attention. It all just... works together. Like a really good band where everyone knows their role.

I tested this against Redbreast 12 (which costs half as much) and while the Redbreast has more sherry influence and spice, the Jameson has this refined elegance that's hard to argue with. Different beasts entirely.

The Finish: Long and Satisfying

The finish lasts a good minute. Sweet notes fade first, leaving vanilla and gentle oak spices. There's a slight drying effect that makes you want another sip, which is either excellent whiskey design or evil manipulation. Probably both.

What I appreciate is the cleanliness – no harsh alcohol burn, no bitter oak tannins. It just fades gracefully, like a well-mannered dinner guest who knows when to leave.

The Price Situation (And Where to Actually Buy It)

Let's talk money, because £170+ isn't pocket change for most people.

Amazon UK listings are currently around £170 (third-party sellers vary). Prices change frequently. I've seen it for £191 at The Whisky Exchange, which is frankly taking the piss. Master of Malt has it at £170.00, which is merely expensive rather than insulting.

The best deal? If you're traveling, World Duty Free shows £123.49 across several UK airports, and Heathrow Reserve & Collect runs an online £111.14 promo at time of writing. That's actually reasonable money for what you're getting.

Is it worth £170+? That depends entirely on what you're looking for. If you want a daily dram, absolutely not. Buy Redbreast 12 and pocket the difference. But for special occasions, impressing your father-in-law, or treating yourself after a particularly horrible week at work? Yeah, it works.

How It Actually Compares to Other Irish Whiskeys

I tested this alongside several other premium Irish whiskeys because I'm apparently the type of person who does this for fun:

Redbreast 12: Redbreast 12 is 40% ABV and typically £55.50–£62.50 in the UK—so roughly a third of Jameson 18 at many retailers. More character, better value for regular drinking. But less refined overall.

Redbreast 21: Redbreast 21 is 46% ABV and £250 at MoM as of today. More complex, objectively better but priced for people who collect Ferraris.

Bushmills 16: Bushmills 16 is 40% ABV; current UK prices are usually ~£88–£98 depending on retailer. Different style entirely. More fruit-forward, bit rough around the edges compared to Jameson 18's polish.

Powers John's Lane: Powers John's Lane is 46% ABV and typically ~£60–£61 in the UK. Absolute bargain, more intensity, but lacks the sophistication if you're trying to impress someone.

For more detailed comparisons, see my full reviews of Redbreast 12 and Bushmills vs Jameson head-to-head.

The Bottom Line: Which Should You Actually Buy?

If you're choosing between Jameson 18 and Redbreast 12, here's the deal: go Redbreast if you like bold, spicy notes and don't care about elegance. Go Jameson if you prefer smooth, refined sipping with no rough edges.

If it's Jameson 18 vs Redbreast 21: only buy the 21 if you have serious money to burn and want the absolute best Irish whiskey experience. Otherwise, Jameson 18 gives you 85% of the experience for 70% of the price.

For Jameson 18 vs Bushmills 16: Jameson is more polished and sophisticated, Bushmills has more character and fruit. Choose based on whether you want "impressive" or "interesting."

The Jameson sits in an interesting spot – more refined than anything cheaper, but not quite as complex as things that cost significantly more. It's the whiskey equivalent of a really good mid-range restaurant: not cheap, but you leave feeling satisfied rather than ripped off.

Quick Comparison: How It Stacks Up

Whiskey	Price (UK, today)	ABV	Best For	My Take
Jameson 18	£170–£191 / £111–£123 duty-free	46%	Special occasions, gifts	Smooth, refined, pricey
Redbreast 12 BEST VALUE	£55.50–£62.50	40%	Daily drinking	Better value, more character
Redbreast 21 LUXURY PICK	£250	46%	Once-a-year treats	Objectively better, very expensive
Bushmills 16	~£88–£98	40%	Fruit lovers	Different style, a touch rougher
Powers John's Lane BUDGET WINNER	~£60–£61	46%	Budget-conscious buyers	Intense, great value, less polished

All prices checked 19 Sep 2025; airport prices require travel and can vary by terminal and promotions.

The Verdict: Actually Pretty Good, But...

After six weeks of testing, here's the truth: Jameson 18 Year Old is genuinely good whiskey. The 2022 reformulation fixed most of the issues people had with earlier versions, and at 46% ABV without chill filtration, you're getting the full experience.

The smoothness is exceptional, the complexity is real, and the finish is satisfying. It's exactly what you'd want from an 18-year-old Irish whiskey, assuming you can afford the asking price.

But – and this is important – it's not miracle juice. If you're expecting something that completely redefines Irish whiskey, you'll be disappointed. This is very good Jameson, not revolutionary whiskey.

Buy it if: You want impressive whiskey for special occasions, you like smooth and approachable expressions, or you need a gift that says "I spent actual money on this."

Skip it if: You want daily drinking whiskey, you prefer heavily sherried expressions, or you think spending more than £50 on a bottle is mental.

Who Should Definitely Avoid This Bottle

• Bourbon drinkers looking for oak and vanilla punch - this is too refined and subtle
• Peat heads who want smoke and maritime character - you'll find this boring
• Budget shoppers - Redbreast 12 at £85 gives you 80% of the experience for 60% of the price
• Cocktail mixers - using £170 whiskey in an Irish Coffee is essentially setting money on fire
• Anyone who drinks whiskey neat regularly - at this price point, you need something more complex for the money

The harsh truth? If you're not specifically looking for an elegant, smooth sipper for special occasions, there are better ways to spend £145 on whiskey.

My score: 8.5/10 – Very good whiskey that's priced fairly for what it delivers, even if that price makes me slightly uncomfortable.

Quick Questions People Keep Asking Me

How's it compare to regular Jameson?

Like comparing a decent meal to a Michelin star dinner. Same basic idea, completely different execution.

Should I add water?

Try it neat first. Maybe a few drops if you want, but it's designed to work at 46%.

Is the Bow Street Cask Strength version better?

Probably, but it costs more and isn't always available. This does the job nicely.

Where's the best place to buy it?

Amazon at £144.99 if you're staying home, World Duty Free at £123.49 if you're traveling.

Will it get me drunk faster than regular whiskey?

It's 46% instead of 40%, so technically yes. But if you're drinking Jameson 18 to get drunk, you're missing the point entirely.

The bottom line? This is really good whiskey that costs real money. Whether that equation works for you depends on your budget and what you want from your whiskey drinking experience.

For me? I've got a second bottle on order for Christmas. Make of that what you will.