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

the beer revolu

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121126255#Comment_121126255

Fair enough!

I actually really like the look of paper wrapped bottles, although once opened, they don't wrap up so well.

And yes, I wad responding to the other poster re fridge/cellar.

Beanstalk

I'm considering the same. Will Definitely get John's Lane Cask Strength to open at Christmas but Irish whiskies in general are moving beyond my affordability sadly.

the beer revolu

I think the Power's Rye is excellent value for money!

Anaki r2d2

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121130161#Comment_121130161

I feel the same about Jameson black barrel. But only when it's on sale, aka 30 euro.

Citizen Six

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121131598#Comment_121131598

Just noticed it's down to €35 in O'Briens at the moment.

odyssey06

Irish Malts offering an advent calendar via Flaviar, €200!

• Comes with Free Flaviar Base Membership

https://www.irishmalts.com/gifts/the

Black Sheep

Ah... Glad to see an Irish option.

I used to do the Master of Malt calendars regularly... I think I did all the varieties almost... The mixed regular, scotch only, bourbon only and probably the best one I did was the single cask calendar!

Rarely a "value for money" option, but then, that shouldn't always be the first consideration, I think. It can be a lot of fun, and a chance to try things you'd never buy. Alongside 'duds' (Haig Club, I'm looking at you) you invariably get the odd nice surprise.

I see they mention 2 U.S based distillers in the description, so it's obviously international. I had a bottle of Koval rye a few years back.

Citizen Six

Local O’Brien’s didn’t have the tawny port red breast when I tried them yesterday. Just picked up a bottle in Bow St. this morning. Will open it tonight after work.

kuang1

Have been in France for the last few days. Sooooo little whiskey options here, I ended up having a few Jack Daniels with ice last night.

Long time since I'd had any, (as in, over a decade, and was probably with coke!) but I really enjoyed it. Vanilla/caramel with slightly smokey spice.

Or maybe the "any port in a storm" thing was going on. Maybe I'll delete this post later 😂😂😂

the beer revolu

My last visit to Paris, I noted that single malts and IPA were all the rage and no one drinking Cognac.

fmul9798

Might anyone know of a swap or similar forum where one might trade an MVR 2023 for a Redbreast 21 ?

I know some have been mentioned in the past, just wondering what is currently “active” out there, ideally not social media, but if needs must….

TheW1zard

Liking the powers irish Rye

The Nal

Lets see how long these last

janiejones

I just love that Nikka. Don't think I've ever finished a bottle as fast. Maybe a waterford gaia or lagavulin 16. The Nikka is just so drinkable, not challenging but tastes of more

fmul9798

Has anyone had an opportunity to try the Readbreat Tawny Port edition yet ? Curious, seems to be only a small number of reviews, some of which appear may have some gratuity/junket in the background

DARK-KNIGHT

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121174849#Comment_121174849

Have heard lustau is superior

Citizen Six

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121174849#Comment_121174849

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121175359#Comment_121175359

I got it, and I really like it. Haven't bought a lustau, but have tasted it before. I'm bad at remembering subtleties that would let me give a decision on which is better.

xeresod

I like the tawny port too - more than lustau but less than the PX....tastes/preferences are individual so try it and make up your own mind.

See if your local has it, or if not, Tiny Tipple have samples if you want to try before committing to a full bottle

Redbreast Tawny Port - 46 abv - 50ml – TinyTipple

fmul9798

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121175873#Comment_121175873

Thanks- the bottle I bought is a gift, I'm hopeful I'll be offered a dram after I pass it on, but will definitely consider that too.

2011abc

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121123313#Comment_121123313

Yes a vile drink although ironically HEAVILY peated like Bruichladdich Classic Laddie are far nicer .I don’t know why they make Connemara , does anyone ever buy a second bottle ?!

the beer revolu

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121182295#Comment_121182295

Yes.

People have different tastes to you.

Black Sheep

Bruichladdie's Classic Laddie is one of their unpeated expressions, actually, but it doesn't really matter.

I've always found Connemara very pleasant. I had a few of them in Buswell's hotel last year, one night, and it brought be right back to the heydey of Cooley, when it was still under the Teelings. I always felt that, with Connemara, they had a great, well-executed niche whiskey that flew the flag for peated Irish whiskey long before Croithli and Sliabh Liag, and others, were a twinkle in their founders' eyes...

2011abc

To expand on Connemara ….I hadn’t been into whiskey too long when I did the Kilbeggan tour .The ‘tasting ‘ was the four bottle mini pack with Connemara , basic Kilbeggan , Tyrconnell single malt ( yum!) and something else .The 12-20 attendees were universal in their revulsion of Connemara and it’s medicinal /TCP flavour .Fast forward a few years and I was at a tasting at some pub in Dublin near The Liberties ( organised by Celtic Whiskey Shop?) It was all Bruichladdichs I think including ones with impressive sounding names and price tags .They were all smashing and some Dutch lads also at the table explained that sometimes lots of peat is needed rather than just a low to medium dosage ( there’s a chemical measuring system with units ).Sometimes whiskies can have faint notes of peat ( and smoke ) but it’s not something I’m mad about . I prefer Sherry finishes .But then as stated tastes vary .

fmul9798

Powers Johns Lane cask strength now available (generally, not just Palace Bar)

Insect Overlord

Thanks for the heads-up.

DeniG2

Speaking of Bruichladdich, treated myself to a bottle of Port Charlotte, had it years ago on a trip to Edinburgh, hoping it’s as good as I remember

Beanstalk

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121184653#Comment_121184653

i've just got my local offie to order me in a bottle and it should be arriving for the weekend. I think i'm gonna save it though for Christmas

odyssey06

Wouldn't be for me, but in the "whiskey adjacent" space, James Fox is running "The Big Smoke" launching their own brand cigars in the Morgan Hotel later in the month.

Dunville's is the whiskey partner on the day.

https://jamesfox.ie/products/the-big-smoke-october-2023-admission-ticket

Beanstalk

Meant to ask is the Glenallachie worth a punt. Always hear great things about it. They've released new peated whiskys as well

Black Sheep

Glenallachie has been having a good run in recent years, since Billy Walker, formerly of Glendronach, became their master distiller.

I have a bottle of their 12 put aside for Christmas, same as last year, but it's likely that if the Celtic Whiskey Shop get another round of cask strength / single casks for November/December, I will get one of those too.

The distillery styles of Glenallachie and Glendronach are similar, both heavily leaning towards maturation in sherry casks - oloroso and PX. They do some port finishes in the line-up as well. Although people would say Glendronach 12 is sherry-led and sweet by most standards, compared alongside Glenallachie 12 it is almost 'off dry', to borrow a tasting term from the wine world. If you want richness and body then go with Glenallachie. If you want a sherry-led, but still pretty conventional whisky, then Glendronach might be more to your taste.

fmul9798

At the risk of bringing up the whole box debate again… did anyone buy the Johns Lane cask strength ? Did you receive a box/tube with it ?

I received mine from O’Briens but there’s no box. This has happened before where they decided not to include it, but wanted to check if there actually should be one. The regular Johns lane has one, seems odd this wouldn’t..

Insect Overlord

I'm expecting one in the post tomorrow. I'll let you know.

Insect Overlord

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121193037#Comment_121193037

No tube or box with mine today. It was well-packaged for delivery, to be fair, but is very understated in terms of display. Quite a simple label for a product that has people excited.

Mark1006

No tube with mine either (ordered from CWS) but I have a feeling I may have seen the regular 12 y/o without tubes in Dunnes recently so I wonder have they been dropped.... might have been the Three Swallows too though.

The whiskey smells wonderful anyway, can't wait to have a tipple tonight.

Black Sheep

Any time I have seen the regular 12 year old, it was without a tube, again as above this would be in O'Briens and possibly the Airport (?). I assumed it was across the board.

Citizen Six

I'd assume the newish bottle design was to make it stand out on the shelf. So box dropped as a result.

Beanstalk

Picked mine up today ar RRP in local office. Delighted bit tough to have to wait

Anaki r2d2

Has anyone had Redbreast 10yr old? Any thoughts?

SteM

Is the CS a limited release?

Knightofcydonia

Yes, it was the latest drop from Barrel club.

Super smooth, with a long finish. PX sherry cask is a component of the 10 year old and you can really taste the influence. I really enjoyed it.

Barrel club also provided a PX sherry sample at cask strength of 59%. It was unbelievably good.

Citizen Six

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121202815#Comment_121202815

The original 10 was CS. It was lovely. I finished off one bottle fairly quick, and waiting for a bit to open the second one.

Citizen Six

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121198325#Comment_121198325

I spotted a Three Swallows in a local off licence earlier, and it was in a tube. Anytime I've bought the regular Powers on special, it was without tube.

odyssey06

If there's a particular bottle you can't get locally, there's free shipping today on IrishMalts.com with code SUPERSUNDAY.

They have the Powers 12yo Cask Strength for €90 to name check a recently discussed whiskey.

2011abc

Mrs brought home a Black Bush 80/20 from duty free …nice drop …on a par with Sexton or Slane , maybe even better .If you like Black Bush you won’t be disappointed and sure it will work out cheaper !

Anaki r2d2

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121210361#Comment_121210361

Ouch, that's not much of a compliment. On par with Slane.

2011abc

Ah its alright if you like sherry influenced stuff.

samwise94

Thoughts on Red Spot? I haven’t tried it but I’m away at the minute and came across a bottle cheaper than home at €110

Anaki r2d2

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121225045#Comment_121225045

Grand. I didn’t see it as much better than the yellow. But I liked it. But I am a big of a sucker for IDL marketing!

Insect Overlord

I only ever fully appreciate Red Spot if I sip it after an inferior whiskey. It doesn't impress me if I go straight into it, but shines through when compared and contrasted with other drinks.

the beer revolu

Same for me with red spot. Nice but not as nice as you'd expect compared to yellow spot.

Blue spot, on the other hand, is wonderful, imo.