The Irish blend aged in double-charred bourbon barrels received 90 to 92 points from three named critics
Jameson Black Barrel is one of the labels above standard Jameson in the lineup from the Midleton distillery, in County Cork, Ireland. It is a blend of small-batch grain whiskey with pot still whiskey, the traditional Irish style, and the name comes from bourbon barrels that are charred a second time on the inside before they receive the whiskey. It is bottled at 40% ABV. For years it was called Jameson Select Reserve Black Barrel; Drinkhacker, when updating its review in March 2026, noted that the bottle had dropped Select Reserve from its name. Below is what named critics have published about it.
Dominic Roskrow, of Whisky Advocate, gave the whiskey 90 points in the magazine's Summer 2012 issue, still under the Select Reserve name. According to the summary published by the Best Whiskey Guide website, he praised the blend's balance and the addition of pot still whiskey.
Jim Murray, author of the Whisky Bible, gave it 91.5 points, according to the record of critics' scores on the Connosr website.
Kara Newman, of Wine Enthusiast, gave it 92 points and a Best Buy designation, according to The Daily Pour website, which compiles the magazine's scores. She describes tropical fruit aromas and a honey-rich palate, with caramelized pineapple and dried apricot.
Drinkhacker, an American online spirits magazine, gave it 9 out of 10 in its 2026 review.
The three scores from named critics fall in a narrow range, 90 to 92 points, although they were given years apart: Roskrow's dates from 2012, when the label was still called Select Reserve. Roskrow highlighted the blend's balance; Newman, its honey and fruit sweetness.
Bebidário's catalog also includes Jameson Irish Whiskey and Jameson Caskmates IPA Edition.
Sources: Whisky Advocate (Summer 2012), Best Whiskey Guide (2026), Connosr (2026), The Daily Pour (2026), Drinkhacker (March 17, 2026).
