How to pack for a Whisky pilgrimage to Jura
Jura’s new 12 year old marks a confident new chapter for the island’s iconic distillery. Tom Pattinson ventures to the remote Hebridean isle to see it for himself and shares what he packed in his bag to get there
The Isle of Jura isn’t the sort of place you stumble across. It’s a deliberate journey across sea lochs and single-track roads, then finally by ferry over the narrow, choppy Sound that separates it from neighbouring Islay. When you arrive, it feels like another world entirely. Just 300 people call Jura home, sharing the island with thousands of wild red deer, dramatic peaks known as the Paps, and weather that shifts from biblical rain to piercing sunlight in the space of an hour. It’s a place of raw, natural beauty, where the landscape seems to swallow you whole, and where whisky has been quietly shaping the island’s story since 1810.
I was there recently for the unveiling of the new Jura 12 year old, now the entry point into the distillery’s core range, replacing the 10 year old. The extra two years of maturation have given it a richer, rounder profile – peach, citrus and walnut notes that speak to Jura’s signature balance of fruit and subtle depth. It feels like a natural evolution, one that reflects both the patience of island life and the whisky’s growing ambition.
But it’s not just the liquid that has evolved, it’s the way Jura is trying to change how we buy and enjoy whisky. Alongside the new 12, the team revealed a fresh look for the entire range, centred on an innovative flavour scale printed clearly on every bottle. It’s a small but significant step. Instead of arcane technical terms or cask minutiae, you get three key flavour notes – rated for intensity – so even the most casual drinker can understand what’s inside the bottle at a glance. Peach (4), Citrus (3), Walnut (3) for the Jura 12. Simple, intuitive, welcoming.
“The new look pack has been designed to help make the process of choosing a whisky easier and more accessible for customers. People tell us that buying a whisky can be baffling, and with the overuse of technical terms customers often leave a store empty handed,” explains Claire Blackadder, Head of Brand for Jura. “Not everyone is a whisky expert, and the most important thing people want to know is what the whisky will taste like. With our new pack redesign and taste scale, customers will easily be able to decide whether Jura would suit the occasion, and have the confidence that they are buying a whisky packed with Jura’s signature fruity and balanced flavours that appeal to many.”
This is more than cosmetic. Too often whisky is weighed down by jargon, leaving curious newcomers unsure where to begin. Jura is making it easier to say yes. The new taller, more confident bottle silhouette and bolder age statements only reinforce that sense of clarity, while still honouring the island heritage at the heart of the brand. It’s whisky made by a community, for a wider community.
And of course, Jura isn’t stopping there. A new Islanders Series of travel-retail exclusives – White Oak Cask, 13, 16 and 19 year old – leans into the island’s values of resilience and togetherness, while continuing to tell its story abroad.
All of this was unveiled against that unforgettable Jura backdrop: salt-stung air on the pier, Atlantic spray hanging in the light, and the jagged peaks of the Paps looming above the distillery. It’s the kind of setting that makes you want to slow down, pour a dram, and let the island do the talking.
But if you’re making the journey yourself, you’ll need to pack carefully. Jura is as mercurial as it is majestic – rain one minute, blazing skies the next. The walking is rugged, the evenings call for comfort, and there’s a whisky or two that deserves to be enjoyed in style.
Here’s my list of seven essentials that balance practicality with indulgence – exactly what you’ll want at the edge of the world.
1. Stutterheim long rain jacket
The Swedish master of minimal rainwear, Stutterheim’s Stockholm Long is a straight-fit knee-length raincoat in sturdy and hard-wearing waterproof fabric. Expertly made, it’s tailored with double-welded seams for complete protection against the rain. I got mine in Stockholm during an exceptionally wet spring as I felt it perfectly mixed minimalist-Scandi-chic with traditional Scottish fisherman vibes, looking sharp both on the pier and in the pub.
£300, Stutterheim
2. Tretorn Wings Rolltop Waterproof Bag
Swap the leather holdall for something island-proof. Tretorn’s Wings Rolltop combines Nordic design with waterproof durability – a backpack that’s practical yet refined.
£90, Tretorn
3. Frank Green Ceramic Reusable Bottle
Frank Green is the go to when it comes to reusable water bottles. Not only is it perfect for keeping water cold or coffee hot, the ceramic lining ensures that no metallic taste is transferred to the liquid. The fully customisable finishes make this the fashion accessory for those looking to keep hydrated as well as keeping environmentally conscious.
£39.99, Frank Green
4. Loro Piana Cashmere Jumper
Nothing beats the weight and softness of Loro Piana cashmere. A ribbed baby cashmere rollneck sweater in navy or grey will carry you from windswept cliff walks to the distillery lounge in effortless style.
£2,255, Mr Porter
5. Augustinus Bader The Skincare Travel Set
Island winds and salt air take their toll. Augustinus Bader’s science-led skincare set includes the rich cream, the serum, and the lip balm – keeps skin hydrated and fresh.
£130, Augustinus Bader
6. Johnstons of Elgin Merino Wool Scarf
Made in Scotland, for Scotland by skilled workers who have honed their skills over generations. An oversized check grey merino scarf from Johnstons of Elgin adds warmth and understated elegance to any whisky adventure.
£155, Johnstons of Elgin
7. Ettinger Sterling Silver & Leather Hip Flask
Because no whisky journey is complete without one. Ettinger’s stainless steel and leather-wrapped flasks are discreet, tactile, and come in a range of vibrant colours. Built to last a lifetime of island pilgrimages.
£175, Ettinger
