The consumption of elite drinks is growing every day, and with it the production and consumption of fakes. Usually a fake is quite tolerable alcoholic drink, but we pay money for real imported alcohol.
No one will save you from buying fakes, except for yourself, because even on the shelves of shops and supermarkets you can find fakes. To teach you to distinguish real elite alcohol from fakes, "So simple!" I've put together some great tips for you.
How to distinguish real alcohol from a fake
Signs of counterfeit Jack Daniel's
- Metal cover - original Jack Daniel's Available only with a plastic cover covered with a plastic shell.
- Round "shoulders" of the bottle - since 2011, bottles have been produced in a new design.
- Smooth "shoulders" - on the "shoulders" of the bottle on four sides there should be an embossed inscription Jack Daniel's.
- "Curved" label - the label must be pasted evenly, and the order of the inscriptions on it must correspond to the established pattern.
Recently, it has become widespread counterfeit Jack Daniel's in new bottles. At first glance, a fake is indistinguishable from the original, but still there are several signs:
- The absence of the Registered trade-mark badge on the shell of the bottle neck. On the original whiskey, it must be present.
- Smooth bottle neck. In a genuine drink, the neck of the bottle has edges along the entire length.
Signs of counterfeit Olmeca tequila
- The presence of ribs at the top of the lid - the original tequila has a lid with a smooth top.
- Smooth bottle - there should be corrugation on the bottle, it is especially noticeable on the "shoulders" of the bottle. Glass does not have to be smooth.
Signs of Counterfeit Jameson Whiskey
- Original Jameson has a metal cover without any shell.
- This whiskey has two embossed inscriptions: Product of Ireland on the bottom of the front of the bottle, and John Jameson on the bottom of the back.
- The 0.7 liter capacity is the most frequently counterfeited Jameson volume. If you have any doubts about the quality of the drink, buy a bottle of a different size.
Signs of counterfeit whiskey Johnnie Walker Black Label, Red Label
Signs of counterfeit Jim Beam whiskey
- Real American Jim Beam bourbon has no ribs on the top of the lid - it is smooth.
- The whiskey has two stripes of golden color above the Jim Beam trademark image.
- The genuine Jim Beam has facets only on the lower half of the neck, while the fake has a faceted neck along the entire length.
- This whiskey has an embossed "Jim Beam" lettering "on the shoulders" of the bottle on four sides.
Signs of fake Hennessy cognac
They say sales cognac Hennessy in the whole world exceed its production by 3-4 times. And this means that only every 3-4 bottles of Hennessy is an original cognac, and the volume of counterfeit reaches 80%.
Signs of a fake Hennessy X.O
- Cognac Hennessy X.O in containers of 0.5 l. not produced. The original cognac is bottled only in bottles of 0.35 and 0.7 liters.
- The original cork and shell are made using a special technology (including laser engraving and Holosleeve holograms) and fit very tightly to the glass of the bottle. The shell should not evoke memories of inexpensive domestic wines.
One of the most famous and sold types of whiskey is produced in the south of Ireland, in County Cork, in the vicinity of the city of Middleton.
The legendary drink has been produced for more than two centuries. During this time, the company has grown from a tiny factory with a single alembic to a large-scale production, which is part of the French holding Pernod Ricard.
The History of the Jameson Enterprise
The company was founded in 1780 by an enterprising Irishman, John Jameson, who, having appreciated the prospects of the industry, decided to try his hand at a new field. The idea was a success, and for several decades the plant, named after the owner "Jameson", rapidly increased production. Several factors contributed to the success of the company:
- The active development of the Irish economy and the rise in the popularity of whiskey, which occurred just at the end of the 18th / beginning of the 19th centuries.
- Some experience of the owner of the company. John Jameson was not exactly a "green" newcomer to the malt brew industry. His wife was the daughter of one of the largest Scottish whiskey producers, and the owner of the Dublin distillery found many useful contacts and skills in doing this kind of business.
- Successful innovation. The founder of the enterprise began work with the construction of a gigantic alembic at that time and over the course of several years actively expanded production.
- State support for major whiskey producers. An excise act issued in Ireland in 1823 significantly improved the position of legal enterprises producing strong drink from malt.
Having increased the capacity of the distillery and won a strong position among local producers, John Jameson died, handing over the reins of the company to his son. At that time, the company was the second most important among Irish whiskey distilleries.
By the middle of the 19th century, the demand for a strong drink reached a peak, and for some time exceeded supply. However, already in the 90s there was a decline due to the appearance on the market of a cheaper blended version of whiskey.
The Jameson Company preferred to keep the tradition and continued to produce a single malt drink, which led to a protracted crisis. All this time, the company has maintained the continuity of generations, remained a family business and was guided by the motto "Sine Metu" ("Without fear"). The life-affirming inscription can still be seen on the product label next to the coat of arms.
The next modernization improved the situation for a while, but did not solve the problem. Hardly survived the introduction of "prohibition" in the United States, civil and world war, the company was forced to unite first with Irish producers in Irish Distillers Ltd, and then become part of the French giant of the alcohol industry Pernod Ricard.
The latest changes have benefited the company: it has re-entered the list of best-selling brands.
Today, the company produces blended whiskey, and the number of annual sales has long passed the million mark.
In 2006, the sales volume amounted to more than 2 million boxes, in 2013 - about 5 million, by the end of the 2010s it exceeded this figure. And it all started with a small distillery on one of the Dublin streets.
Features of making whiskey Jameson
The Jameson whiskey line includes drinks different styles and degree of endurance. Common to all product categories are a beautiful golden hue and a special production technology, created back in the days of John Jameson Sr. and supplemented in subsequent years. It includes:
- Using quality local raw materials: barley is grown in fields near Middleton, water is taken from the Dangourney River, which flows right through the distillery. Only corn is purchased from a French farmer.
- Drying grain in special ovens and three-stage distillation of the must. Repeated distillation gives the drink softness and delicate taste, and closed drying eliminates the peaty flavor characteristic of Scotch whiskey.
- Long exposure in oak barrels, some of which were already in use. To obtain subtle accents of the bouquet, storage containers are purchased from producers of American bourbon and strong Spanish wines. Such barrels give drinks light woody, vanilla notes and a sweet sherry flavor.
- Strict control at all stages of production: from grain collection to bottling.
- Inclusion in blends exclusively of spirits obtained at our own distillery.
Overview of the taste and types of whiskey Jameson
- Jameson Irish Whiskey
A classic blended whiskey aged for 4 years in oak barrels. The drink has a pleasant floral aroma with spicy and woody notes. The taste is balanced, sweetish, with a predominance of nutty and vanilla tones.
- Jameson Black Barrel
An unusual version of products aged in "black" bourbon barrels. The containers are preliminarily subjected to strong roasting (charring) to enhance the taste of the drink. This category is characterized by a fragrant bouquet with pronounced tones of toffee, fudge, nuts, vanilla, sweet spices.
- Jameson Caskmates Stout Edition and Caskmates IPA Edition
Two unusual lines include drinks aged in craft beer and pale ale barrels. A special manufacturing technology gives the bouquet floral-herbal, hoppy, citrus, apple notes. The taste is dominated by woody, nutty, spicy accents with a grain plume and a long fruity aftertaste. In the "craft" version, there are also tones of chocolate, pears, green tea.
- Jameson Crested
A traditional version of Irish whiskey with a pronounced sherry aroma and taste. The bouquet contains notes of spices, chocolate, woods and fruits.
- Jameson 12 Years and 18 Years
The most famous drinks of the manufacturer, combining several valuable distillates. Each component undergoes a long exposure in a barrel, and after mixing the whiskey spends six months in a fresh container made of American oak. In a complex, elegant bouquet, accents of spices, nuts, caramel, leather and vanilla are guessed. A long soft aftertaste with woody notes and a trail of spices makes the drinks one of the best in the manufacturer's collection. A variation on the popular category is Jameson Bow Street 18 Years Whiskey, produced in 2018.
- The Whiskey Makers Series
The line consists of three types of products: "The Distiller's Safe", "The Cooper's Croze" and "The Blender's Dog". Drinks are dedicated to the main specialists involved in the creation of whiskey: master of distillation, cooper and blender.
- The Jameson Deconstructed Series
The line includes 3 variants of drinks made using unusual technologies. Jameson Bold and Jameson Lively contain barley malt and unsprouted green barley. "Jameson Round" involves aging distillates in different types of barrels.
How to spot fake Jameson whiskey
Due to the high popularity of the Jameson brand, the drink is often tried to be copied. There are many smuggled copies with the label of a well-known brand on the alcohol market. To buy original products, you need to be able to distinguish it from a fake:
- Real Jameson whiskey has a metal lid, not plastic, covered with foil.
- There are three embossed inscriptions on the bottle of the drink: "Since 1780", "Product of Ireland" and "John Jameson & Son".
- The actual volume of the vessel must match that indicated on the label.
- On a bottle of authentic Irish whiskey there is an excise stamp with a hologram.
- There will be no sediment in the original drink, and the bubbles that appear when shaking should not disappear instantly, but slowly dissolve.
- The bottle of real Jameson is made of thick glass, the label is pasted evenly, without traces of glue, the image of the coat of arms on it is embossed, not flat.
To protect yourself from buying fakes, it is better to buy a drink in specialized stores, and not in a retail network.
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Study the label carefully. If it is glued crookedly with smudges of glue, this should immediately raise doubts about the authenticity of the drink. The inscription "Scotch-type Whiskey" indicates that this is an imitation. The Blended label says that you have a mixture of different varieties, but the inscription "Distilled and aged in Scotland" is also not a guarantee of the naturalness of the drink. Whiskey could well have been made from semi-finished products and diluted with water outside of Scotland. Labels with Deluxe and Premium inscriptions say that you have elite ones in front of you. This drink cannot contain methanol, ethanol, other alcohol impurities, fragrances, flavors and additives. Mandatory components of whiskey: barley, barley malt, corn.
Carefully consider the color of the drink. In natural whiskey, it varies from light golden to rich, dark golden. Surrogate imitations are often brown, cloudy, and have sediment.
When you open the bottle, feel the aroma of whiskey. It should be light with malty, oaky or sweet undertones, with hints of vanilla, fruit or flowers. A surrogate drink, as a rule, gives off alcohol. Turn the bottle upside down. A fake drink will flow down the walls of the bottle, and if you have purchased high-quality whiskey, then a large drop should fall from the bottom of the bottle.
Taste the whiskey. This drink is soft, it has a balanced taste and leaves a long aftertaste. Good whiskey is made from malt and the finest ingredients. It necessarily goes through several stages of filtration, which affects the taste and leads to a hangover much less.
Buy whiskey only from trusted vendors or reputable stores
note
Don't buy whiskey from online auctions. And remember, cheap whiskey probably has nothing to do with a noble drink.
According to the manufacturing technology, real whiskey is aged for at least two years, which should be reflected on the label.
Sources:
- All about whiskey.
- how to check whiskey
- How to tell a real Jack Daniels from a fake?
Whiskey is one of the oldest and most popular strong drinks of your group. However, along with the growth in popularity, the number of fakes of expensive alcohol is also growing. Today, even in large wine boutiques, along with collectible whiskey, you can find fakes. However, there are some secrets that allow you to protect yourself from an unpleasant purchase.
Instruction
The appearance of the bottle can also serve as a guide. Counterfeit manufacturers are counting on the inexperienced consumer of this drink. Take an interest on the manufacturer's website, a bottle and a label, and when buying, carefully examine the product on the shelf.
Take the bottle and shake it well. Look at the bubbles that appear. In real whiskey, they are large and last quite a long time. Have you opened a bottle? Pour into a glass, but don't drink right away. First, gently shake the whiskey in the glass and see how it will flow down the walls. If you have a quality one in front of you, and not a fake, then the streaks, the so-called "", should be neat, beautiful, and drain slowly.
Notice the color. The liquid should be transparent, this indicates the purity of the water used to make whiskey, and the correct distillation of the drink. The color itself should be deep, saturated.
There are also "quality" forgeries. The bottle and label match perfectly, the color is right. In this case, a laboratory test can help. True, the results have to wait for two or three weeks, and it’s not convenient for a simple consumer to engage in such research. Now, however, a new development of British scientists has appeared - a small device that determines the authenticity of whiskey using ultraviolet light. But it does not yet lie on the shelves of department stores, which means that it remains to rely on old methods.
How to distinguish fake Jameson whiskey from the original 5.00 /5 (100.00%) 4
Irish whiskey Jameson (Jameson) is the most popular Irish whiskey, so it is not surprising that it is quite actively trying to fake.
Let's figure out how to identify a fake and thereby protect yourself and your friends from the risk associated with this.
1. Jameson bottle is the first sign of the originality or fakeness of the drink. First of all, whiskey bottles should have embossed inscriptions:
- Product of Ireland and dot engraving under lettering (front under label)
- John jameson & son (behind the label), the date of bottling of the whiskey and the batch number are indicated below;
- Since 1780 (behind the label).
As a rule, the shape of a fake bottle is more rounded than the original.
2. The roof of the original Jameson whiskey should be metal, fakes are usually covered with a plastic film.
3. Label Jameson must be of high quality glued without bevels and streaks of glue. In addition, at the bottom of the back label there must be an L-code: in the form of an engraving. As for the coat of arms depicted on the label, it must be in relief.
4. pay attention to excise stamp glued to the drink. It should indicate the correct size of the bottle, and its quality should not be in doubt.
True connoisseurs of high-quality strong alcoholic beverages are well aware that only a small number of brands can boast of really high-quality products that are made according to the original recipe.
Jameson single malt whiskey refers to just such an elite alcohol. He has not only excellent taste, but also a unique history of appearance.
This strong alcoholic drink got its name in honor of its creator. In 1780, a well-known Irish businessman, and part-time fan of quality whiskey John Jameson opened his own production of this alcohol. He had sufficient knowledge to organize the production of really high-quality real alcohol of this kind.
Over the next fifteen years, his whiskey distillery developed rapidly. Later, he decided to tie the knot with Margaret Haig, whose father owned as many as five factories for the production of this alcohol. From the moment of the marriage, the affairs of Jamison himself actively went uphill.
When his second son married, John took him on as a partner and the company became known as John Jameson & Son. Jamison Jr. actively developed production family business and improved the technology of making whiskey itself. After the death of her father, she made her alcoholic product one of the most popular and valuable on the market. Whiskey Jameson (Jameson) had a rich aroma and a unique smooth taste.
Watch a short video about how the world-renowned Irish whiskey Jameson (Jameson) appears in modern times:
But after the outbreak of the war, as well as during the introduction of Prohibition in the United States, the family business began to deteriorate. Many concrete began to produce blended alcohol of this type, the cost of which was lower, and the manufacturing process itself was easier. In this regard, the demand for Jameson began to decline significantly.
In order to regain its former leading position in the market, representatives of this company and concurrently its direct heirs also began to manufacture not only elite whiskey, but also its blended varieties.
At the beginning of the 20th century, the management of the company passes to Jamison Andrew. O again began an active modernization of the production process, and also increased the capacity of the enterprises themselves. But to do this, he had to team up with companies such as John Power & Son and Cork Distilleries Company. Therefore, since 1966, Jameson whiskey began to be produced under the Irish Distillers Ltd brand. It was this merger of the three largest Irish corporations that allowed Jameson whiskey to regain its status as an elite alcohol.
Since then, the popularity of this alcoholic drink has not decreased. It is highly valued and in demand all over the world. And professional sommeliers recognize it as one of the best whiskeys produced today.
Kinds
Today, under the Jameson brand, several different types of this elite alcoholic drink are produced. Each of the varieties has its fans and admirers who appreciate the unique taste and aromatic qualities of this alcohol.
Classic Jameson, 40%
This is a true Irish classic. This alcohol belongs to the category of blended drinks, as it is made from a combination of malt and grain alcohols. However, their age should not be less than six years.
Distinctive characteristics of this alcohol are:
- soft taste;
- sweetish aftertaste;
- rich amber color;
- pronounced notes of sherry;
- subtle aroma of vanilla and hazelnut.
As a rule, the classic Jameson is served in the form of a digestif.
Caskmates, 40%
Initially, the company's specialists put this alcohol on the market as an experimental drink. And as the sales volume showed, such an experiment was quite a success. A distinctive feature of this whiskey is a well-pronounced bread aroma and flavor. And all due to the fact that ready-made alcohol is infused in barrels that were originally intended for beer.
In addition, the manufacturing process itself is carried out by analogy with the preparation of the so-called. The result is a unique drink that successfully combines the best features of beer and whiskey. This alcohol is to the liking of both fans of the intoxicating foamy drink and elite alcohol.
12 Y.O., 40%
This is premium alcohol, which is made from spirits aged for at least twelve years, as its name suggests. It has a very rich and delicate taste, with pronounced notes of vanilla and caramel. The aroma is pleasant, with notes of iris and spicy spices. It is customary to serve such whiskey as a digestif or regardless of the meal in general.
18 Y.O., 40%
Here the name speaks for itself. For the production of this whiskey, only spirits that have been aged for at least eighteen years can be used. This alcohol has been on sale since the beginning of 2002. It is a blend of three different types of alcohols, due to which it is saturated. But at the same time soft and complex taste and the finest aftertaste.
The aroma is dominated by vanilla, iris, sherry leather and woods. The taste is specific with a competent combination of notes of butter fudge and various spices.
The first exposure of this whiskey is carried out in bourbon containers, which makes its aroma more complex and rich. This is an ideal alcohol for serving both on its own and in the form.
Gold Reserve, 40%
This drink is called the gold reserve for a reason. For its preparation, freshly obtained whiskey from a cube is used, which is mixed with grain alcohol of a rare variety. It was this alcoholic drink that received the most gold awards at various exhibitions.
Its taste is very harmoniously complement each other notes of wood and sherry. And the aroma turns out to be delicate vanilla, but at the same time rich thanks to notes of rice and spices.
Rarest Vintage Reserve, 46%
The strongest whiskey in the line of this manufacturer. However, not only this is hallmark. Four blending masters worked on the creation of this alcohol at once. It was this fruitful collaboration that made it possible to end up with whiskey with high strength, rich color and aroma, and refined taste. In addition, such a drink is made only according to authentic (that is, ancient) technology and without disclosing all proportions.
The taste of this alcohol is unique, it harmoniously combines sherry and peach, it is pleasant to drink it and keep it in the mouth for a while. The aroma is rich, spicy.
Reference. Each bottle of Rarest Vintage Reserve has its own unique serial number. This makes counterfeit production difficult, because each buyer can check the originality of a particular bottle.
In terms of the number of awards available, this alcohol surpasses even Gold Reserve.
Black Barrel, 40%
The main differences of this alcohol are its deep and rather specific aroma, as well as a very dark, almost black color.
And all due to the fact that not just bourbon barrels are used to age the finished whiskey, but only those that were previously specially burned. It is this preparation of the container that ultimately ensures the uniqueness of the drink itself.
Reference. This type of whiskey is brewed in special rooms where there is no light at all. And the cooking process itself is closely monitored by a special master, who decides exactly when the product is ready for further sale.
The aroma of this whiskey is unusual, it is dominated by notes of papaya, nectarines and other exotic fruits. The aftertaste is long and sweet. The main flavor notes are cinnamon, dates and walnuts. It is best to drink this alcohol on your own, but linking it to drinking with food. This is the only way to fully enjoy the unique taste and aroma of this black whiskey.
Each variety of Jameson whiskey is not just an elite alcohol, it is a unique and refined combination of taste and aroma, which is no longer found in any line of alcohol from other manufacturers.
How to distinguish from a fake?
Due to the high quality and rather high cost, many unscrupulous producers try to fake this alcohol and instead offer customers low-grade alcohol that has nothing to do with Jameson whiskey. But you can buy really original products of this brand if you know about some of the nuances:
Attention!
- There must be an excise stamp with a hologram. Particular attention should be paid to ensure that the volume of the bottle indicated on it coincides with the real one.
- The cap of the original whiskey of this brand is always made of metal. If it has a film on top, this is a sure sign of a fake.
- The label should be pasted evenly, and there should be no traces of glue. The image of the coat of arms on it is necessarily embossed, and not smooth. In addition, there should be a special engraving code on the back of the label.
Attention! The main sign of the original whiskey Jameson (Jameson) is his bottle. It should have three relief inscriptions.
Let's list them:
- Since 1780- at the top of the back of the bottle.
- Product of Ireland- at the bottom of the front side of the container.
- John jameson&son- at the bottom of the bottle on the back side.
The first and last inscriptions are located below the label, and the second above it.
Keeping these basic differences between real Jameson whiskey and fake whiskey in mind, you can easily choose the original drink.
Photo
Below are photos showing how to distinguish fake Jameson whiskey from the original:
True connoisseurs of quality Irish whiskey will benefit from knowing that:
- Until the beginning of 1969, it was simply impossible to purchase this alcoholic drink in a bottle. The Irish were very sensitive to traditions and therefore sold their whiskey exclusively in wooden barrels.
- For the national holiday - St. Patrick's Day, this brand annually produces a limited batch of this alcohol in exclusive bottles, on the labels of which there are always images of Dublin. It is precisely because of the limited volume of production that such whiskey always becomes collectible and is very expensive.
- At the beginning of 2015, a mini whiskey distillery was opened, the recipes of which date back to 1862 and are found in personal diary Jameson's son John. This factory is located in Middleton.
- The Scottish authorities granted the Jameson family a nominal rowing, with the inscription "Without fear". It is he who is necessarily applied to each original bottle of this drink.
Nevertheless, it is the whiskey produced for the first time by him, and later by his heirs, that today is rightfully considered elite and in demand all over the world. After tasting it, each person will be able to understand what real Irish strong alcohol means.