Whisky has always been about connection — sharing a dram, a story, or a moment with someone who might need it. So it feels fitting to raise a glass of this particular whisky on World Mental Health Day. The Jura Distillery Cask 1708 is more than just a rare single malt; it’s a whisky that helped raise funds and awareness for an incredibly important cause.
In September 2020, Jura Distillery released this special bottling exclusively for auction, with 100% of proceeds donated to SAMH – Scottish Action for Mental Health. Every one of the 470 bottles sold, raising a remarkable £48,000 in support of mental health services across Scotland. For a small island distillery, that’s no small feat — and it highlights just how much the whisky community can achieve when it comes together for a good cause.
This particular dram was generously shared with me by Uncle Baldrick in the UK — a whisky legend in his own right — and I’d been waiting for the right time to open it. World Mental Health Day seemed the perfect occasion.
About the Distillery
The Isle of Jura sits just off Scotland’s west coast, a rugged island home to a population smaller than most city apartment buildings — and yet, it produces whisky known across the world. The Jura Distillery was founded in 1810 and is one of the few distilleries that capture the spirit of both the Highlands and the Islands. Technically, Jura whiskies fall under the Highland region, but many enthusiasts, myself included, feel the Islands deserve their own classification. Their maritime climate, windswept peat bogs, and salty air create a flavour identity unlike anywhere else in Scotland – I’ve ranted about it before.
Jura is best known for its lightly peated style and its ability to balance sweetness with coastal character. Over the years, the distillery has released everything from approachable core expressions like Jura 10 to complex single cask editions such as this — whiskies that reveal the island’s wilder, more soulful side.
Whisky Details
The Jura Distillery Cask 1708 is a 19-year-old single malt, distilled in 2001 and bottled in 2020. It matured entirely in a single ex-sherry butt, giving it that deep, rich colour and a layer of complexity that only long-term sherry cask ageing can bring. Bottled at 55% ABV, this is full cask strength — unfiltered, unhurried, and uncompromising.
As an official distillery bottling, each bottle was filled, labelled, hand-sealed, and numbered at Jura Distillery itself — a nice touch that connects the whisky directly to the island where it was born.
Tasting Notes
Appearance: In the glass, this whisky shows a deep amber hue with mahogany highlights — the kind of colour that immediately tells you the sherry influence runs deep. The legs that form when you swirl it are slow and thick, hinting at the oily texture that’s to come. Even before the first sip, the whisky looks rich and luxurious, the kind of dram that demands you take your time with it.
Nose: There’s an immediate hit of toffee and oak spice, backed by notes of candied orange peel and vanilla. The sherry cask influence shines through with layers of dried fruit and gentle sweetness, but it’s balanced by an earthy undertone that keeps it grounded. That candied orange note feels particularly distinctive — vibrant yet mellow — while the vanilla and toffee weave around each other like an old dance. Despite the high ABV, the nose isn’t harsh; it’s full, rounded, and inviting. A drop of water opens up even more nuance, revealing touches of polished wood and distant sea air.
Palate: The first thing that stands out is how textural this whisky is. It coats the tongue with an oily richness that feels both indulgent and balanced. The initial sweetness from the nose gives way to something more earthy and mature — leather, wood, and grain sweetness take centre stage. There’s a subtle honey note that ties the palate together, with the leathery tone adding depth and a hint of rustic charm. Imagine the smell of an old leather armchair, well cared for but weathered with time — that’s the kind of warmth this dram delivers. The sweetness feels natural, not syrupy, and it transitions smoothly into spice and dry oak. Despite being unpeated, there’s a faint wisp of smoke that drifts in toward the finish — likely a product of its environment rather than intentional peat use, perhaps influenced by nearby casks in Jura’s dunnage warehouses.
The finish is long, warming, and complex. The wood spice lingers beautifully, with a touch of residual sweetness that stays at the back of the palate. It’s the kind of finish that doesn’t rush to fade — it stays with you, reminding you that this whisky spent nearly two decades slowly maturing in its cask, absorbing every bit of character it could. Even as the warmth fades, faint echoes of toffee and spice remain, like the final notes of a well-played song.
A Symbol of Connection
What makes this release so special goes beyond what’s in the glass. Jura’s decision to donate every penny from the sale of this whisky to SAMH turned it into a symbol of compassion — a reminder that whisky can play a role in supporting mental wellbeing.
For me, this bottle represents more than craftsmanship; it represents connection. Whisky often brings people together — whether it’s sharing tasting notes, swapping samples, or simply catching up over a dram. It can be the spark that starts a conversation, even one as important as mental health. Sometimes, “let’s have a dram” is all the invitation someone needs to open up.
As I mentioned in my video, if you know someone who’s been quiet or seems to be struggling, use whisky as an excuse to check in. Invite them over for a dram. Start the conversation. It doesn’t need to be heavy — just genuine.
Because at the end of the day, mental health isn’t about grand gestures. It’s about small connections — moments of understanding shared between people who care. And if a glass of whisky helps make that happen, then I’d say that’s something worth raising a toast to.
Final Thoughts
The Jura Distillery Cask 1708 is a shining example of how whisky can embody both craft and compassion. It’s beautifully made, deeply flavoursome, and profoundly meaningful. The rich sherry influence, the layers of oak and leather, and the gentle warmth all make it a dram to savour — both for its taste and for what it represents.
At 19 years old, this Jura has matured into something confident and generous. Just like the cause it supported, it reminds us that even small acts — or small drams — can make a big difference.
So here’s to the Jura team, to SAMH, to everyone working to improve mental health, and to the people who remind us to check in on each other.
Raise a glass, and remember — it’s not weak to speak. 🥃