Jameson 12 Year Old 1990s – Special Reserve – 1 Litre
100cl / 43%
£199.00
- Region: Ireland
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1990s 12-year-old Midleton blend at 43% in the big 1L format, from the Special Reserve/1780 line that sat above standard Jameson.
At-a-Glance
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Distillery / Bottler / Country & Region | Midleton Distillery, Co. Cork, Ireland |
| Category | Irish blended whiskey (12-year premium tier) |
| Age / Vintage / Bottled | 12 Years Old / 1990s bottling (Special Reserve/1780 era) |
| ABV & Size(s) | 43% ABV / 1 Litre (100cl) |
| Cask / Treatment | Triple-distilled pot still and grain, bourbon and sherry cask matured |
| Natural Colour | Not stated by the producer |
| Non-Chill-Filtered | Not stated by the producer |
| Cask Strength | No |
| Bottle count / Outturn | Not stated by the producer |
| Intended channel | Export, duty-free, premium retail |
| Packaging | 1990s Jameson 12/Special Reserve livery, tall 1L bottle, sometimes boxed |
| Notes on discrepancies | Also described as Jameson 1780 in some 1990s listings; spec is the same. |
Historical Context
In the 1980s–1990s Jameson built a small ladder above the standard NAS blend: the 12-year (1780/Special Reserve) was the affordable upgrade, using older pot still and a touch more sherry wood for depth. Putting it in 1 litre at 43% was aimed at export and travel, where bigger bottles and slightly higher strength were standard. Because modern Jameson 12/Special Reserve is long gone, 1990s 1L bottles now show up mainly in UK auction catalogues at drinker-friendly prices, and in the occasional old-stock retail listing that pitches it as discontinued Irish.
Technical Specification & Variant Map
Documented variants
-
12 Year Old Special Reserve/1780, 1L, 43%, 1990s.
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12 Year Old Special Reserve, 70cl, 40%, 1990s.
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Later 1L 43% with minor label differences.
Variant Matrix
| ABV | Volume | Market | Era cues | Relative desirability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 43% | 1L | Export/duty, 1990s | “Special Reserve”/“1780”, 12 Years Old, 1 Litre | Highest |
| 40% | 70cl | Domestic/EU, 1990s | Same label family | Mid |
| 43% | 1L (later 1990s) | Export | Minor layout changes | Condition-led |
Packaging & authenticity checklist
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Must say Jameson, 12 Years Old and Special Reserve/1780.
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ABV 43% and 1 Litre/100cl must both be present. 40% or 70cl should not be sold as this SKU.
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Capsules on 1990s Irish can dry out; mention cap condition if selling on.
Liquid Profile
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Nose: Sherried, soft spice, vanilla, polished wood, dried fruit.
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Palate: Rounded, creamy grain/pot-still mix, honey, fruit-and-nut from the sherry element, gentle oak; 43% gives it more presence than modern 40% blends.
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Finish: Medium, warm, with lingering spice and dried fruit.
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With water: A dash brings out vanilla; not required.
Pricing & Market Dynamics (GBP)
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Original RRP: Not stated by the producer.
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Current old-stock retail asks: c. 70–90 GBP for clean 1L, 43%, 1990s.
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Auction band (2014–2023): 32.50–67.50 GBP depending on capsule, box and photos.
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Stratification: boxed 1L 43% at top; unboxed 1L 43% mid; 70cl 40% low.
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Liquidity: shows up regularly, clears easily at the 30–60 GBP hammer level.
Price Snapshot
| Channel | Date | Bottle spec | Price (GBP) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK vintage retailer | Recent | 1L, 43%, 12yo Special | 70–90 | Discontinued Irish premium |
| UK whisky auction | 2023 | 1L, 43%, 1990s | 32.50 | Low hammer for loose bottle |
| UK whisky auction | 2021 | 1L, 43%, 1990s | 52.50 | Mid hammer for good condition |
Distillery/Bottler Snapshot
Midleton is the central Irish producer; the 12yo Special Reserve was its way of telling the market “this is Jameson, but older and caskier,” using the same pot-still-plus-grain DNA as the core, just with better casks and longer maturation.
Sourcing
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Target: 1L, 43%, 12yo on label, clean fill, capsule intact.
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Avoid: 70cl, 40%, or NAS Jameson sold under the 12yo name.
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Buy 35–50 GBP at auction; list 75–95 GBP if boxed and clean.
