What whisk(e)y are we drinking? (Part 2)

Black Sheep

Was in Scotland over the weekend, and picked up a bottle of Lochlea 2nd crop Harvest.

Lochlea is an Ayrshire farm distillery, reasonably positive reviews but I've never previously tried them. A complete punt. I think the age is 3-5 years.

They're releasing this 2nd crop batch in four different cask finishes. This one is a medley of port, sherry and STR barrique finishes, I think.

I drove on the ferry, and if anyone does use Stranraer, worth popping into A.D Rattray, about an hour from the ferry... It's an independent bottler, they have a range of nice cask strength bottlings from a variety of distilleries, all priced 40-85 GBP or so. Some potential value in there, I think, depending on the cask quality.

Beanstalk

Hah what a coincidence! I got the First Crop Edition of Harvest just last week on auction. We'll have to compare notes! I think the first crop doesn't have STR but does have ex bourbon, port and sherry.

I like that John Campbell is charge at Lochlea. He's done great things at Laphroaig.

the beer revolu

STR:

https://www.whitepeakdistillery.co.uk/str-casks/#:~:text=What%20is%20an%20STR%20cask,casks%20across%20Europe%20and%20America.

Beanstalk

I see Roe and Co have their own juice out. Nice to see distilleries getting to that point.

https://shop.roeandcowhiskey.com/products/roe-co-solera-single-malt-irish-whiskey

Hmm 85 quid...I think I'd hold off to reviews I still don't get the Irish pricing structure it looks has a while to go before it levels out.

Electric Nitwit

Presumably that's still pretty young, isn't it?

(Maybe not, can't remember when I first saw Roe and Co)

Sounds interesting...

...refill and first fill American Oak ex Bourbon barrels, Alligator charred American oak barrels, Chestnut barrels with custom toasting profiles, and Sherry casks converge to create a diverse wood profile

Beanstalk

5 years I read elsewhere! Aye that cask arrangement sounds great though whats alligator charred?

It's definitely a string to the Irish Whiskey industry bow to be able to use woods other than oak.

Electric Nitwit

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121812340#Comment_121812340

I presume it's charred until until it resembles alligator skin, but that did confuse me too 🤣

Definitely one I'll look for in a pub, bit pricey too dive in on a whole bottle

Beanstalk

Hah well that's adventurous marketing I'll give them that. I don't know much about charring but I know in Scotland and the US that the char level has a numbering system so I presume they just char the shite out of this.

Citizen Six

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121812384#Comment_121812384

Alligator is one of the heavier chars, something like a 4 I think.

adocholiday

Would anyone be able to recommend a good gift bottle for a Jameson drinker? My Dad is turning 60 and he likes a whiskey but generally sticks to regular Jameson. He's not really a fan of things like the Black Barrel or other special/infused type whiskeys, and I think given the option he'd always go with Jameson over other brands.

I usually get him a bottle of something nicer for birthdays/christmas (say around the €50-€60 mark) but for his 60th I was going to get him something a bit better to mark the occasion, maybe pair it with some nice glasses or something. I don't want to go too crazy because he wouldn't be a connoisseur by any means, he often says that he doesn't see the point in getting more expensive stuff and I think he'd actually be annoyed if I splurged on something like Midleton, even though I'd be happy to.

I was looking at the Jameson site and the Redbreast 15 year old or the Lustau edition might be a sweet spot in terms of fancier than usual but nothing too extravagant, with the Redbreast tumblers too. I'm just interested to know people's recommendations, or if there's maybe another whiskey at a similar price point that might be a better option. Thanks!

Does he drink the Jameson neat or with a mixer? If it’s with a mixer he might have a point.

i think green spot and red breast are great choices for a gift. Really good drinkable whiskeys. I am not fussed on the pot still Jameson at a similar price point.

adocholiday

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121857526#Comment_121857526

Always neat with some ice. I did get him Green Spot before and he liked it but wasn't particularly impressed with it, although maybe the Yellow Spot might better and closer to the price point of the 15 year old Redbreast.

Electric Nitwit

My first thought, reading your post, was Redbreast. I'd say you couldn't really fail with that

The Celtic Whiskey Shop engrave bottles for €15, if you wanted to personalise it a bit...

https://www.celticwhiskeyshop.com/Engrave-Midleton-Family-Whiskey

MacDanger

Not a whiskey as such but would you consider getting tickets for the two of you to Whiskey Live? I've never been but I'm sure others here might be able to comment on what it's like

granturismo

How about Waterford whiskey glasses. Arnotts or Kilkenny sometimes have a slight reduction on these.

He can drink the whiskey he prefers and enjoy the heftiness of a crystal glass.

https://www.arnotts.ie/home/dining/glassware/waterford/lismore-mixed-set/120604247.html

https://www.arnotts.ie/waterford/two-lismore-connoisseur-tasting-tumblers/120603826.html?cgid=root

tphase

Can't go wrong with Redbreast 12

adocholiday

Thanks everyone for your input really appreciate it! I got the Redbreast 15 and two engraved Galway Crystal glasses in a presentation box so happy with it overall.

ZV Yoda

Redbreast 12 is a great shout.

If you wanted to splurge a bit more, Red Spot is superb. I think it’s on special from €140 down to €125 in O’Brien’s at the minute.

ZV Yoda

Redbreast 15 is a cracking choice

fmul9798

Gold spot 13 released (no outer packaging)

https://mitchellandson.com/products/gold-spot-13-year-old-limited-edition?_pos=1&_sid=ae7ab15e6&_ss=r

the beer revolu

I commend IDL for not putting it in a box or tube!

LollipopJimmy

Myself and a pal had a few on Saturday. The Yellow Spot and MVR were emptied. Bang for buck that Dalmore is fabulous drop.

Insect Overlord

Some small drops and a personal blend tonight. JJ Corry Flintlock No. 1, Yellow Spot, and Dingle's Bealtaine single pot still (all gorgeous as usual) in 25ml servings.

I had to clear some shelf space last week so I put the last few measures of Thomond Gate Clash of the Ash, Miguel Hogan (batch 2) and Peter Lacy (Western Herd imperial stout) into one bottle. It's a gorgeous mix of pot still and single malt now, with the Clash of the Ash bringing down the average ABV a little further from the usual cask strength.

JMcL

In Scotland for a few days. Is there anything in particular worth looking out for in duty free (Edinburgh) at the minute? Fairly broad taste - anything from Islay peat monsters to Speyside etc.

tphase

Just had a gander at Edinburgh duty free. Aberlour 12yo is a nice dram for ~€56 but I'd probably go for the 14yo ~€60 since I've had the 12 and recently bought a Casg Annamh

Citizen Six

New Ardbeg Smoketrails arrived. Put away to open on a later date.

LollipopJimmy

I got the White Hag whiskeys last night, at last.

I have to say, incredibly delicious

Citizen Six

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121946097#Comment_121946097

I was going to ask you about it. I saw them posting on social media.

Greg81

Very sweet. Sláinte

LollipopJimmy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121946450#Comment_121946450

You certainly wouldn't think you were drinking a 57% whiskey, the Black Boar was my preference but I always prefer stout types. The Great Northern Distillery rarely disappoints though. The Puca did give a nice whack of the sour beer taste and again not a crazy amount of heat for a 57%.

They were supposed to come in display boxes but these are being posted out apparently, TBH I usually recycle boxes and tubes straight away anyway apart from the wooden stuff. The woven outer is a nice touch and harks back to traditional weaving in Sligo.

All in all I'd say it's a belter and worth the €125.

This was the founders edition and the retail packs will be 46% apparently, no idea on pricing just yet.

The event itself was good, upstairs in The Palace, couple of pints thrown in and 3 or 4 whiskeys each poured. I went back to the local after and gave the samples to the owner who poured them for us in the bar.