A nice whiskey for the old man?

OU812 · 02-12-2018 3:01am #1

My dad is reaching a milestone birthday in January, He has a glass of whiskey a day for "medicinal purposes". Although not a connoisseur, he appreciates a quality product.

I 'm going through Dublin Airport next week & was thinking of picking up a decent bottle for him for his birthday (note: He drinks any whiskey, from Lidl to whatever). Have about €100 - €120 to spend, may stretch it a little if it's worthwhile.

I was leaning toward getting him a bottle of "Jack Daniels: Frank Sinatra Select" (loves Frankie), but am open to suggestions.

mik_da_man · 02-12-2018 10:51am

Does he drink Scotch/American whiskey or just Irish?

If he favours one particular style I'd stick to that, you may end up spending 150 on something that he wouldn't like...

Graniteville · 02-12-2018 10:54am

With so many promotions in the supermarkets, you'll probably find it cheaper locally unless you are flying outside the eu.

OU812 · 02-12-2018 11:38am

mik_da_man wrote: »

Does he drink Scotch/American whiskey or just Irish?

If he favours one particular style I'd stick to that, you may end up spending 150 on something that he wouldn't like...

He's pretty much style agnostic.

Graniteville wrote: »

With so many promotions in the supermarkets, you'll probably find it cheaper locally unless you are flying outside the eu.

Good point

khaldrogo · 02-12-2018 12:05pm

Does he sip it? Does he mix it? Ice? Water?

Different whiskey for different ways of drinking.

Wailin · 02-12-2018 12:10pm

Redbreast 15 is a top class Irish whiskey in the price point you mentioned and would probably taste better than anything he's had before. It would be in a different league to any Jack Daniels.

OU812 · 02-12-2018 12:30pm

khaldrogo wrote: »

Does he sip it? Does he mix it? Ice? Water?

Different whiskey for different ways of drinking.

Over ice mostly

TomOnBoard · 02-12-2018 1:29pm

If he's gonna be 60, get him a selection of 5 bottles of 12 Year old or 4 bottles of 15 Scottish Single Malts.. 5*15 y.o. for 75 etc.. Dress them up in a nice wicker hamper and he'll be delira... The point here is getting him his age's worth in whiskey years. Steer clear of the airport and pick them up in special offers, or order them from the North.....

L1011 · 02-12-2018 11:08pm

Graniteville wrote: »

With so many promotions in the supermarkets, you'll probably find it cheaper locally unless you are flying outside the eu.

Definitely, DAA are not cheap for spirits. If you are going duty free the other end is probably going to be cheaper too although the Irish range can be awful

Losty Dublin · 03-12-2018 3:16am

To be picking one at Duty Free you have the hassle of carrying it overseas and then taking it back home again without anything happening to it en route. I appreciate that it's a big birthday and all but that sort of money would go a long way in Drinkstore or Grafton Street, two shops who would guide you well selection wise and less stressfully at that.

Also, if you are flying via the US or onwards and transferring to a Domestic flight then you will not get the bottle through carry on as it will be subject to security check and the liquid limits. I almost lost a Writers Tears this way last year until a nice check in girl "forgot" to charge me for an extra bag; thank you Irish accent

20/20 · 03-12-2018 4:15am

Midleton whiskey is a very good Irish whiskey from Cork. https://www.mchughs.ie/midleton-very-rare-2018
It comes in a lovely wooden box even though some shops forget to give it.
Someone who knows about whiskey will drink it neat. Not even ice.
Your father will always feel special when it appears on restaurant menus at €40 per glass.
Its not cheap but I think it can be bought in some branches of Tesco at not to bad a price and maybe get extra off with the €10 voucher from weekend papers.

Wailin · 03-12-2018 4:16pm

Midleton very rare is €180 so well outside his budget of €100-120. It's also not worth the extra over Redbreast 15.

run_Forrest_run · 03-12-2018 11:53pm

Wailin wrote: »

Midleton very rare is €180 so well outside his budget of €100-120. It's also not worth the extra over Redbreast 15.

€170 in O'Briens at the moment.

Wailin · 04-12-2018 2:40am

**** me I'll buy 2 of em...

fret_wimp2 · 04-12-2018 3:37pm

if he's not particular and really into his whiskey then spending much on a bottle is a waste.
Even a 40 quid bottle is a waste on someone who isnt really into whiskey, will just use it for a few hot ones or with a mixer or not sit and consider it.

For my milage black bush is the best value to quality whiskey going.
It is also one of the few where even non whiskey people will recognize by taste as being "good", as its in the same price bracket as regular bushmills/jameson but is much tastier and noticeably so.

Unless you just want to spend the money for the sake of it, or have been requested something specifically, i wouldnt go any further.

run_Forrest_run · 04-12-2018 4:09pm

Wailin wrote: »

**** me I'll buy 2 of em...

the more you buy the more you save.

jh79 · 04-12-2018 4:15pm

run_Forrest_run wrote: »

€170 in O'Briens at the moment.

150 euro in Joyces supermarkets in Galway

Apollinaris · 04-12-2018 10:14pm

Glendalough 13 Mizunara finish. Case closed.
Make the old man happy!

Wailin · 04-12-2018 10:27pm

Have to agree with that! Smashing whiskey.

Apollinaris · 04-12-2018 10:40pm

When people recommend MVR makes me smirk. Really overpriced, watered down to 40%, chill filtered, caramel added blend. Clever marketing though! To refer to it as a good buy? LOL

Jimmy Bottlehead · 04-12-2018 10:43pm

I treated myself and a friend to a celebratory Redbreast 12 Year Old after hearing so much about it. Neither of us could differentiate it from a Jameson

CJay1 · 04-12-2018 10:50pm

fret_wimp2 wrote: »

if he's not particular and really into his whiskey then spending much on a bottle is a waste.
Even a 40 quid bottle is a waste on someone who isnt really into whiskey, will just use it for a few hot ones or with a mixer or not sit and consider it.

For my milage black bush is the best value to quality whiskey going.
It is also one of the few where even non whiskey people will recognize by taste as being "good", as its in the same price bracket as regular bushmills/jameson but is much tastier and noticeably so.

Unless you just want to spend the money for the sake of it, or have been requested something specifically, i wouldnt go any further.

That's the spirit!

Wailin · 04-12-2018 11:38pm

Jimmy Bottlehead wrote: »

I treated myself and a friend to a celebratory Redbreast 12 Year Old after hearing so much about it. Neither of us could differentiate it from a Jameson

Lol, drink whiskey much? Jameson is like piss compared to redbreast.

Apollinaris · 04-12-2018 11:52pm

Wailin wrote: »

Lol, drink whiskey much? Jameson is like piss compared to redbreast.

Have to ask the same it's the same distillery but very different quality products, it's like saying all cars are the same they all have 4 wheels.
Redbreast 12 I would actually recommend to the novice whiskey drinker, the strong woody vanilla slightly peppery nose and the punchy vanilla, custard honey taste is really pleasant. The very first Irish whiskey I tasted! But this is only my humble opinion.

Wailin · 05-12-2018 12:22am

Having a dram of redbreast 12 year cask strength now and it's glorious. Same basic notes and taste of the standard 12 year but ramped up a few notches.

If someone can't differentiate between a jameson grain blend and a 12 year old single pot still then I don't think they should be drinking whiskey.

TomOnBoard · 05-12-2018 1:23am

Wailin wrote: »

Having a dram of redbreast 12 year cask strength now and it's glorious. Same basic notes and taste of the standard 12 year but ramped up a few notches.

If someone can't differentiate between a jameson grain blend and a 12 year old single pot still then I don't think they should be drinking whiskey.

What a ridiculous, elitist and condescending statement!. It is surely a matter of personal choice as to whether a person should be drinking whiskey, and a mAtter of personal taste as to whether they can differentiate between styles or ages or have a preference for one over another.

decky1 · 05-12-2018 1:41am

ah , a nice drop of Haig, lovely.;)

Wailin · 05-12-2018 2:00am

TomOnBoard wrote: »

What a ridiculous, elitist and condescending statement!. It is surely a matter of personal choice as to whether a person should be drinking whiskey, and a mAtter of personal taste as to whether they can differentiate between styles or ages or have a preference for one over another.

Eh, ok. So what whiskey would you recommend to the op, getting back on topic?

TomOnBoard · 05-12-2018 2:07am

Wailin wrote: »

Eh, ok. So what whiskey would you recommend to the op, getting back on topic?

Posted my rec. on page 1... A selection of Scottish Single Malts with combined bottle ages adding up to the special age being celebrated. The gentleman would have a journey he could travel across the moors and isles of Scotland over a period of months, and would salute his son/daughter on a nightly basis every time he took his 'medicine'.

tuxy · 05-12-2018 2:10am

Off topic but I tried redbreast 12. Made me break out in a rash on my face, no food or drink has ever done that to me. Any whiskey expert have any idea what's in it that would cause that?
My guess is some kind of colouring they add to it but what do they add and why?

Seve OB · 05-12-2018 2:14am

OU812 wrote: »

My dad is reaching a milestone birthday in January, He has a glass of whiskey a day for "medicinal purposes". Although not a connoisseur, he appreciates a quality product.

I 'm going through Dublin Airport next week & was thinking of picking up a decent bottle for him for his birthday (note: He drinks any whiskey, from Lidl to whatever). Have about €100 - €120 to spend, may stretch it a little if it's worthwhile.

I was leaning toward getting him a bottle of "Jack Daniels: Frank Sinatra Select" (loves Frankie), but am open to suggestions.

Before I finished reading your post I was going to recommend JD Sinatra

If your old man loves a bit of Frankie it makes it a bit more special.

I don't think you'll get a better reception from your old man.

Oh yes and I think you can buy in DA on your way out but leave it there and collect on your way home. Worth checking out.

Wailin · 05-12-2018 2:16am

tuxy wrote: »

Off topic but I tried redbreast 12. Made me break out in a rash on my face, no food or drink has ever done that to me. Any whiskey expert have any idea what's in it that would cause that?
My guess is some kind of colouring they add to it but what do they add and why?

That's a strange one alright! Are you certain it was the whiskey?

tuxy · 05-12-2018 2:27am

Wailin wrote: »

That's a strange one alright! Are you certain it was the whiskey?

Yes tried it twice with the same result. It is odd, the whiskey tasted good but the rash was very bad both times. I was going through a real whiskey phase at the time and was trying as many different ones as I could and never had this reaction with anything else.

Useful.Idiot · 05-12-2018 6:54pm

tuxy wrote: »

Yes tried it twice with the same result. It is odd, the whiskey tasted good but the rash was very bad both times. I was going through a real whiskey phase at the time and was trying as many different ones as I could and never had this reaction with anything else.

Very odd alright. The only colouring legally allowed to be in Irish whiskeys is E150a, and most whiskeys would have it.

Useful.Idiot · 05-12-2018 7:01pm

OP, does your dad like the smokier scotches? If he does something like a Laphroaig Lore or Ardbeg Uigeadail would be a great gift in your price range imo. Of course if you're not sure if he's into them could be a waste of money :P

fret_wimp2 · 05-12-2018 8:45pm

CJay1 wrote: »

That's the spirit!

I dont see the point in spending a lot of money on something that wont be appreciated/noticed.

Would be the same as giving me a 50 quid bottle of wine, would be an absolute waste as i wouldnt appreciate it or notice much difference between it and a 20 euro bottle.

But its the irish way to throw money away at xmas in an attempt to take the pain of having to figure out some grand gesture, so might as well get a bottle of RedSpot or Red Breast 12 cask strength, maybe use it for hot ones or in the xmas pudding.

tuxy · 05-12-2018 8:48pm

Would it be snobbish to say that yes it is a waste to give an expensive bottle to someone who will put ice in it to numb the taste?
I liked the idea of getting him a selection of bottles.

skooterblue2 · 05-12-2018 8:52pm

TomOnBoard wrote: »

Steer clear of the airport and pick them up in special offers, or order them from the North.....

I find that Sainsburys in Newry carry an excellent range.

ozmo · 05-12-2018 9:00pm

What about a trip to Jamison distillery- there are different priced tours with some letting you sample from the casks.

I went to the Bushmills tour- was good to do and you got to try several of their whiskeys- someone mentioned a distillery watering down to 40% as if it’s a bad thing - Bushmills do this process also with all theirs - think it might be the norm to make it up to to 80% alcohol then bring it down to legal levels.

Useful.Idiot · 05-12-2018 9:54pm

skooterblue2 wrote: »

I find that Sainsburys in Newry carry an excellent range.

Yeah Redbreast for £31 is still the deal of the century.

TomOnBoard · 05-12-2018 10:10pm

ozmo wrote: »

What about a trip to Jamison distillery- there are different priced tours with some letting you sample from the casks.

I went to the Bushmills tour- was good to do and you got to try several of their whiskeys- someone mentioned a distillery watering down to 40% as if it’s a bad thing - Bushmills do this process also with all theirs - think it might be the norm to make it up to to 80% alcohol then bring it down to legal levels.

There absolutely needs to be homogeneity in strengths of any alcohol, so distilleries everywhere would need to ensure that their particular bottles contain contain the same relative strength of alcohol per unit oif volume as all others within a market. So it makes huge safety sense for distilleries to 'water them down'. Otherwise you'd have lads dropping like flies drinking cups of 80% thinking that they were drinking 20%. So, 40% seems to be the norm over here.

If you go into a distillery, you'll see stuff all the way up to near 100% following distillation depending on their processes, but they couldnt sell that or allow common folks to partake of it.

Imagine the Jameson or Bushmills Distilleries with fleets of stomach pump wielding ambulances parked around the block... That's what you;d have without a standardised unit system...

TomOnBoard · 05-12-2018 10:25pm

tuxy wrote: »

Would it be snobbish to say that yes it is a waste to give an expensive bottle to someone who will put ice in it to numb the taste?
I liked the idea of getting him a selection of bottles.

Most ppl have been advertised into drinking whiskeys on cubes of ice for decades. I did it myself. However, when the wife's uncle ( a Bushmills man) explained to me what was going on with the chemistry in the glass, I got it and never drank any whiskey over ice since. So, whiskey afficionadoes need to learn to explain! explain! explain, rather than adopting superior attitudes at the bor! Jeez, I've lost so many Saturday evenings in Rugby and Golf clubs with gob****es smugly extolling one drink or another while trying to police what other ppl were drinking based on feck all knowledge or explanation at all.

Mind you, the whiskey lads were not the worst.... Save me from the Feckin Chateauneuf de Pape 1961 brigade as though the blood of Christ Himself was stored therein....

tuxy · 05-12-2018 10:26pm

Isn't the 40% alcohol important for tax, is there a higher tax band for alcohol over 40%?
I do know 40% is the minimum needed to label it an Irish whiskey.

Wailin · 05-12-2018 10:31pm

TomOnBoard wrote: »

Imagine the Jameson or Bushmills Distilleries with fleets of stomach pump wielding ambulances parked around the block... That's what you;d have without a standardised unit system...

It's not standardised though. Whiskey has to be a minimum of 40% before it can be called whiskey. Irish whiskey, in general, is known for being easy to drink because of the low abv compared to say Scotch, which are commonly 46-48%. Some say too easy to drink, which if you try a midleton very rare, you'd agree.

They dont need to bottle it at 40% but they chose to for more quantity im guessing. Method and madness are all bottled at 46% and are the better for it.

TomOnBoard · 05-12-2018 10:32pm

tuxy wrote: »

Isn't the 40% alcohol important for tax, is there a higher tax band for alcohol over 40%?
I do know 40% is the minimum needed to label it an Irish whiskey.

AFAIK, 45% is the maximum ABV on bottled whiskey in the British Isles.

Edit: I'm wrong...Wailin Advises of 48% above. I've drank some of those without knowing... I've been labouring under the illusion that alcohol content was more or less the same.. So THAT'S why, I got Rat-Arsed in Madogs's in Edinburgh!! Phew, I was blaming my lack of restraint!!

OU812 · 05-12-2018 11:38pm

In the end I went for a bottle of Johnnie Walker: Royal Route, runs to about €160 but I got it for €90 through a friend.

363831_001_johnnie-walker-royal-route-whisky-1ltr_3_4_1.jpg

363831_001_johnnie-walker-royal-route-whisky-1ltr_3_4_1.jpg

Lovely presentation & my friend who also likes his whiskeys said he really likes it & it's a decent sip.

Thanks folks.

TomOnBoard · 06-12-2018 12:35am

Useful.Idiot wrote: »

Very odd alright. The only colouring legally allowed to be in Irish whiskeys is E150a, and most whiskeys would have it.

Surprised to hear that most Irish would have it... In fact, I;d be much more concerned about aberational effect from flavour than from colour.

Some whiskys, such as genuine Bourbon, would NOT use colouring (officially)... Any such colouring is supposed to come from the cask...

I'd be surprised if MOST Scottish single Malts use it...

But I see you said whiskey!! :-)

Useful.Idiot · 06-12-2018 8:17am

TomOnBoard wrote: »

Some whiskys, such as genuine Bourbon, would NOT use colouring (officially)... Any such colouring is supposed to come from the cask...

I'd be surprised if MOST Scottish single Malts use it...

But I see you said whiskey!! :-)

Maybe when I say most I mean most of the widely available, mass produced whiskeys at least. As you go towards mid/higher end Irish single malts/single pot stills they generally wouldn't use colouring. Some distilleries (Teelings) outright state that they never use colouring.

Scotch has the same legal requirements regarding that colouring. So I suppose it's up to the distillery themselves and who their whiskey is targeting.

L1011 · 06-12-2018 9:03am

tuxy wrote: »

Isn't the 40% alcohol important for tax, is there a higher tax band for alcohol over 40%?
I do know 40% is the minimum needed to label it an Irish whiskey.

No, the tax rate on spirits is linear on spirits. Obviously the higher % the more you pay but it is directly proportional.

Wailin wrote: »

Scotch, which are commonly 46-48%.

The vast majority of Scotch is 40%.

TomOnBoard wrote: »

AFAIK, 45% is the maximum ABV on bottled whiskey in the British Isles.

Edit: I'm wrong...Wailin Advises of 48% above. I've drank some of those without knowing... I've been labouring under the illusion that alcohol content was more or less the same.. So THAT'S why, I got Rat-Arsed in Madogs's in Edinburgh!! Phew, I was blaming my lack of restraint!!

There maximum is in the 90s% and is very close to the limit for distilled alcohol.

The majority of Scotch sold is 40% and the majority of Irish sold is 40%. Higher exist for both, e.g. the commonly available and popular Redbreast Cask Strength is up to 60%

TomOnBoard wrote: »

Surprised to hear that most Irish would have it... In fact, I;d be much more concerned about aberational effect from flavour than from colour.

Some whiskys, such as genuine Bourbon, would NOT use colouring (officially)... Any such colouring is supposed to come from the cask...

I'd be surprised if MOST Scottish single Malts use it...

But I see you said whiskey!! :-)

The majority of whisky and whiskey is dyed. Look at the back of German market bottlings where it must be declared by law. People expect the product to be a lot darker than it comes from the cask basically.

Younger products would look quite unappetising in a lot of cases if not dyed

the beer revolu · 06-12-2018 1:32pm

All whisk(e)y is "watered down" at some point in the process.
The spirit is typically diluted to a strength of between 60% and 70% before being put into cask. And then diluted to its final bottling strength.
The Irish technical file doesn't mention cask strength, so even cask strength could be diluted to its bottling strength to achieve consistency.
Scotch cask strength cannot have water added after maturation.

tuxy · 06-12-2018 2:38pm

Interesting, adding water is fine and can improve the flavour if done right.
I sometimes add a little extra room temperature weater and it can even bring out some extra flavour in the whiskey.
Ice is only for the nasty stuff that you want to tone down the flavour on.

A nice whiskey for the old man?

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