Category: Irish Whiskey Page 3 of 4

Irish Whiskey

Whisky of the Week review and tasting notes for Irish whiskey. A collection of all the interesting whiskey releases I have tried that originate in Ireland.

Redbreast 12 year old Irish Whiskey

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 05/24/2021

In Irish Whiskey

I tasted the Redbreast 12 year old single pot still Irish at a whisky show a year before Covid and bought a bottle on the spot. I am not the biggest Irish whiskey fan, but the 12 year old convinced me to explore more. So it got added to my collection, and it is time for me to explore it a bit further.

Redbreast is a single pot still Irish whiskey produced by Irish Distillers at the Midleton distillery in Cork. Single pot still Irish whiskey is made from a mash using both malted and unmalted barley. It is then triple distilled in copper pot stills. Scottish whisky only uses malted barley. This style of whiskey is unique to Ireland.

Redbreast was originally produced by Gilbey’s, a Dublin spirits merchant using distillate sourced from Jameson’s Bow Street Distillery. In the 1980s, the brand was purchased by Irish Distillers, the producer of Jameson.

Other Redbreast releases available include Redbreast 12 year old Cask Strength, Redbreast 15 year old, Redbreast 21 year old, Redbreast Lustau Edition (matured for its final year in Bodegas Lustau sherry casks) and Redbreast 27 year old whiskey.

The first official mention of “Redbreast” only dates back to 1912, when Gilbey’s referred to the sale of “Redbreast” J.J. Liqueur Whiskey 12 year old. “Redbreast” was a nickname given to one of the whiskeys by Gilbey’s chairman at the time, who was an avid birdwatcher, in reference to Robin Redbreast.

Irish Distillers relaunched the brand in 1991. Midleton distillery also produces Jameson and Tullamore Dew whiskey. The Redbreast 12 year old whiskey is aged in first-fill Olorosso sherry casks and ex-bourbon barrels.

Also Read: Dunville’s Three Crowns Peated Whiskey

Redbreast 12 year old Irish Whiskey Review

COUNTRY: Ireland

ABV: 43%

COLOUR: Yellow gold

NOSE: Sweet ripe red fruits sprinkled with toasted nuts, banana and pears. Vibrant and fresh. Hints of vanilla, spice, and freshly baked sugar cookies.

PALATE: Fruity sweetness and toasted oak. The Redbreast is luxurious and creamy with hints of marzipan, lots of fruit salad sweetness and roasted nuts. A balance of wood and red berry sweetness mixed with bits of pepper and ginger.

Add water carefully. Only a drop or two is needed. The water can quickly tone down the fruity sweetness too much.

FINISH: Long and creamy sweetness, lemon rind and pepper spice.

RATING: EXCELLENT

It is a lovely late summer afternoon sipping whisky. Not the most complex dram, but memorable and fruity. The sherry casks shine through on this release, and from here on, it just gets better.

The Redbreast 12 year old whiskey is an excellent start to the range, and I have tasted both the Lustau and the 15 year old whiskey, and the delicious taste expansion continues in the older releases.

Also Read: Bushmills 16 yo Whiskey

Teeling Single Grain Irish Whiskey

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 03/22/2021

In Irish Whiskey

Today I look at a single grain whisky from Ireland. The Teeling Single Grain Irish whiskey was first released in 2013. It is the second release that I try from this innovative, unconventional brand. The first release I tasted was the Teeling Small Batch whiskey.

I was fortunate to be invited to a Zoom tasting where Jack Teeling, Marc from WhiskyBrother&Co and Luke Knox took us through a tasting of three Teeling releases.

Also Read: Waterford The Cuvee whisky

The Teeling Distillery of today was officially opened in 2015. However, the family’s distilling history in Ireland stretches back to 1782, when a chap called Walter Teeling set up a distillery in Dublin’s Liberties area. Today the Teeling distillery is only a stone throw from where Walter set up his distillery in the heart of Dublin.

The Teeling Single Grain Irish whiskey mash bill consists of 95% corn and 5% malted barley. It is triple distilled and matured exclusively in ex-Cabernet Sauvignon red wine casks from California for just over 5 years.

There is also a Teeling single malt whiskey as part of the core range. Teeling whiskey has no added colour and it not chill-filered.

Teeling Single Grain Irish Whiskey Review

COUNTRY: Ireland

ABV: 46%

COLOUR: Amber

NOSE: Notes of fruity sweetness and creamy condensed milk. Sweet ripe grapes with hints of vanilla and cinnamon. The nose is elegant, sweet, and clean.

PALATE: Tropical fruit salad drizzled with honey, freshly baked cinnamon rolls with bits of oak and warming black pepper. So smooth and drinkable, you don’t even need to add water.

FINISH: Long and lingering with warming pepper balanced with soft honey sweetness and oak.

RATING: EXCELLENT

The Teeling Single Grain Irish whiskey is deliciously drinkable. It has a chewy mouthfeel with a warming finish. This is not the most complex whiskey, but that is what makes it so drinkable.

You can sip it anytime and enjoy it. It is quite a sweet release, and it works for my sweet palate. However, it is wonderfully balanced with some pepper heat and malty goodness.

This release is available at WhiskyBrother&Co and retail for around R670.00. I think that it is pretty affordable for something so delicious! If you like Irish whiskey and want to experiment a bit more, this is a wonderful release to try.

I have done a side by side comparison between this release and the Teeling Single Malt Irish whiskey to see how they differ.

Also Read: Tullamore DEW vs Jameson Whiskey

Jameson Triple Distilled Irish Whiskey

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 04/06/2020

In Irish Whiskey

In these trying times, savouring life’s little pleasures is essential. For many, that includes enjoying a glass of their favourite whiskey. Among the top choices in South Africa, right up there with Jack Daniel’s and Johnnie Walker, is the ever-popular Jameson triple distilled Irish whiskey.

If you’ve been living under a rock and haven’t sampled Jameson in a while, now’s the perfect moment to explore the intricacies of this quintessential Irish whiskey.

The Jameson name is synonymous with Irish whiskey, and with good reason. John Jameson, a Scottish lawyer, established the Bow Street Distillery in Dublin in 1780. The legacy didn’t stop with him; his four sons followed his distilling footsteps.

By the turn of the 19th century, Jameson triple distilled Irish whiskey was renowned globally. But as with any great tale, world events took their toll on the Irish whiskey industry. The Irish War of Independence, subsequent trade wars, and Prohibition in the US all conspired to limit their access to the vast American market.

Also Read: Tullamore DEW Whiskey

During these challenges, Scottish distilleries embraced the column stills in the mid-19th century, revolutionising production. Unfortunately, the labour-intensive single pot still process that characterised Irish whiskey couldn’t keep pace with this innovative technique.

Fast forward to the 1960s, and a pivotal moment in Irish whiskey history occurred. Three of the four surviving Irish distilleries, namely Powers, Jameson, and the Cork Distillery Company, joined forces to create Irish Distillers.

Then, in the 1970s, they centralised production at the New Midleton Distillery in County Cork, Ireland. Today, the Jameson brand is owned by Pernod Ricard. This conglomerate boasts a comprehensive portfolio of Irish whiskey brands, including Redbreast, Green Spot, and Yellow Spot whiskey.

Other releases in the Jameson stable include the Jameson Caskmates IPA, and the Select Reserve. But let’s shift our focus to the main star: the Jameson triple distilled Irish whiskey.

Jameson Triple Distilled Irish Whiskey Review

Jameson is a blend of pot still and grain whiskey. Like all Irish whiskey, it is triple distilled to give it the well-known Irish smoothness. The Jameson Irish whiskey is aged for 4 years in oak.

COUNTRY: Ireland

ABV:43%

COLOUR: Gold

NOSE: The aromatic journey begins with freshly baked banana bread, tropical fruits, and spicy wood and caramel hints. It’s a delicious blend of grains with plums, pineapple, and banana. The complexity of these scents is both intriguing and delightful.

PALATE: Jameson Irish whiskey delivers a smooth experience. The medium body features subtle malt undertones, aniseed, vanilla, and traces of pepper notes. Although it’s less multifaceted than anticipated after the captivating nose, adding a splash of water can soften the pepper notes.

FINISH: The finish is relatively short, leaving a gentle combination of pepper and a touch of orange rind.

RATING: GOOD

Now, let’s talk about the experience. While the nose sets high expectations with its complexity and deliciousness, the taste doesn’t quite measure up. Jameson possesses the trademark Irish smoothness, but, in comparison to the Caskmate releases, it’s somewhat bland.

The world of Irish whiskey offers more exciting options. Still, it’s hard to deny that Jameson triple distilled Irish whiskey excels in marketing, making it a recognisable choice. In my recent exploration of Irish whiskey, Teeling has captured my attention with its delicious releases.

Also, if I had to choose between Jameson and the Checkers Private Barrel Co. Irish whiskey release, the latter would be my preference. Nevertheless, Jameson triple distilled Irish whiskey is an affordable night-out option perfect for crafting cocktails. I’ll reserve my Jameson bottle for those cosy Irish coffees.

In South Africa the Jameson is priced for around R 360 and in India it costs around ₹ 3059.

To truly appreciate the distinction between Jameson and other brands, I did a side-by-side with Johnnie Walker Black Label. The contrast is remarkable, highlighting the unique character of each.

Additionally, I explored how Jameson stands up against Tullamore DEW whiskey, offering insight into the diversity of Irish whiskey options. This is also makes for a refreshing cocktail if you mix Jameson Irish whiskey and ginger ale.

Exploring the ever-expanding world of Irish whiskey is essential to finding the perfect match for your palate. So, as we navigate the challenges of this lockdown, take solace in the glass of Jameson and the world of flavours it offers.

Also Read: Pairing Whisky and Pizza

Private Barrel Co No 108 Whiskey

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 02/04/2019

In Irish Whiskey

During December, Segan, a whisky friend tagged me on a post on Instagram. He tried a new Checkers Private Barrel Co release and loved it. He described it as ‘… the best tasting Irish whiskey for the sub R300 range that I’ve had this year and has a nose like a hummingbird cake.”

Well; this interesting whiskey I needed to try. The whisky he was referring to was the Checkers Private Barrel Co No 108 Irish whiskey release.

This blog is no stranger to the Checkers Private Barrel Co releases. Both their named and unnamed releases. During 2018 they released the James Sedgwick Distillery 6 yo Fino Cask Finish which was terrific. I have also tasted the Glen Grant 17 yo and the Glenlossie 15 yo whisky from their series.

But the real of the Private Barrel Co releases lies in their unnamed releases. Both Private Barrel Co No. 41 and Private Barrel Co no 68 whisky is excellent and very affordable. By not revealing the Distillery name, Private Barrel Co is able to sell the whisky at a fraction of the cost. The bottles do, however, have an age statement and full tasting notes.

The Private Barrel Co No 108 Irish whiskey is a 3 year old, aged in American Oak. It retails for R280 at Checkers, and I found a few at the Checkers store at the Mall of Africa.

Private Barrel Co No 108 3 year old Irish Whiskey Review

ABV: 43%

COLOUR: Gold

NOSE: Oak, fruity sweetness with hints of spice, honey and orange blossoms. The nose is delicate and fragrant and opens up more when you add a few drops of water.

PALATE: Smooth and sweet with notes of fruit, vanilla, oak and caramel. Freshly baked pancakes with cinnamon sugar mixed with nutmeg. Faint hints of milk chocolate and cereal. A bit of alcohol heat that smooths out with a few drops of water. The Private Barrel Co No 108 is smooth and creamy and very easy drinking.

FINISH: Medium length with notes of oak and nutmeg.

RATING: EXCELLENT

I think Checkers has done it again. A great tasting whiskey at a reasonable price. I was a bit scared that the young age would be visible on the taste profile with a few rough edges. However, the Private Barrel Co team knows how to choose the best barrels.

Grab it if you see it, you will not be disappointed. Only 7 200 bottles were released, and I am sure there are not too many left. Thank you for the recommendation Segan. A very delicious dram!

Also Read: How to make a whisky bottle lamp

Powers John’s Lane Irish Whiskey

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 05/21/2018

In Irish Whiskey

I am trying an Irish whiskey today, something from the Midleton Distillery; the 12 yo Powers John’s Lane Irish whiskey. In 1791 James Power, an innkeeper from Dublin, established a small distillery at his public house.

In 1822 it was renamed John Power & Son and had moved to new premises at John’s Lane. Production grew exponentially, and so did the prominence of the Powers family.

In 1841, John Power, grandson of the founder was awarded a Baronet title. From its humble beginning, the distillery grew to a facility with an output of about 900 000 gallons annually during the 1880s. The distillery covered over 6 acres of central Dublin and had a staff of about 300 people.

The last member of the Powers family to sit on the board was Sir Thomas Talbot Power, who died in 1930, and with him the Power’s Baronetcy. However, ownership remained in the family until 1966.

Also Read: Jameson Caskmates Whiskey

During the 1960s the Irish whiskey landscape went through changes. The whiskey industry was struggling during Prohibition in the USA, the Anglo Irish Trade War and the rise of competition from the Scottish whisky industry. There was also a change in consumer preference toward blended whiskeys.

Powers distillery was one of the first distilleries to install a coffey still to allow for grain whiskey production. Towards the end of the 60s Powers joined forces with the only other remaining distillers in the Irish Republic to form Irish Distillers. All existing distilleries were closed and consolidated at a new purpose-built facility in Midleton. The brand is part of the Pernod Ricard stable.

The Powers range includes the Powers Gold label, a blend of 70% pot still and 30% grain whiskey. However, the Power John Lane returns to the Powers whiskey’s origin and celebrates the style that made Powers so famous.

First released in 2011, it was an instant hit. It won the ‘Irish Whiskey of the Year’ in the 2012 edition of Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible.

Powers John’s Lane Irish Whiskey Review

The Powers John’s Lane Release is a combination of 12 year old single pot still whiskey aged in two different types of casks. The majority is matured in bourbon casks and the remaining spirit in Oloroso sherry casks.

REGION: Ireland

ABV: 46%

COLOUR: Dark golden honey

NOSE: Malt, rich autumn fruit, dark chocolate with hints of caramel and bits of toasted oak in the background. The John’s Lane whiskey nose is inviting and warming.

PALATE: Smooth and warming. No need for water. Notes of malt, rich fruit dusted with cocoa, sherry hints balanced with vanilla, freshly buttered toast, with hints of nutmeg and cinnamon. Water softens the spices and brings more honey notes.

FINISH: Creamy and elegant ending on hints of fruit.

RATING: EXCELLENT

What a nice dram. It is probably my current favourite Irish whiskey. Smooth and warming, I can understand why Jim Murray gave this a 96.5 in the 2015 Whisky Bible. For a change, I agree with him. It is delicious.

The hubby was not quite as crazy about this release as I was, but I suspect he had a crazy week at work and was not really concentrating. This Irish whsikey will feature a lot more regularly in my glass. The Powers John’s Lane Irish whiskey retails for around R900, so it is not that expensive.

Also Read: The Wild Geese Whiskey