What Whisky/Whiskey are we drinking this month?

odyssey06 · 30-01-2021 03:31PM

spiritcrusher wrote: »

Any recommendations for someone looking to get a moderately priced bottle this weekend for his birthday? Something in around €60/70 I think. Wouldn't have been a major whiskey drinker until recently but have been enjoying things like Powers Three Swallow and Green Spot recently and am interested in trying some more "decent" whiskies. Been thinking about getting a Redbreast 12yr old for the last while.

Cant go wrong with RB12.

A left field suggestion would be to buy the Midleton Pot Still tasting set and another miniature set or glass gift pack. For someone starting out they are good way to sample a wider variety with the pubs closed.

Eg Fercullen / Powerscourt have some nice sets

https://ie.irishmalts.com/single-malt/fercullen-14-year-old-gift-pack-20cl-glass

https://ie.irishmalts.com/home/fercullen-trilogy-gift-pack-3-x-5cl

Quackster · 30-01-2021 03:49PM

odyssey06 wrote: »

Cant go wrong with RB12.

A left field suggestion would be to buy the Midleton Pot Still tasting set and another miniature set or glass gift pack. For someone starting out they are good way to sample a wider variety with the pubs closed.

Eg Fercullen / Powerscourt have some nice sets

https://ie.irishmalts.com/single-malt/fercullen-14-year-old-gift-pack-20cl-glass

https://ie.irishmalts.com/home/fercullen-trilogy-gift-pack-3-x-5cl

I'd second that.

Dunnes, for example, stocks a number of miniature sets including Midleton, Redbreast, Teeling etc. so you could get two or three of them to the value of €60/€70 and explore a good number of Irish whiskeys.

ZV Yoda · 30-01-2021 06:06PM

Any ideas where I’d get a bottle of Blue Spot?

I’m curious to try it, but seems to be hard to find.

Insect Overlord · 30-01-2021 06:40PM

ZV Yoda wrote: »

Any ideas where I’d get a bottle of Blue Spot?

I’m curious to try it, but seems to be hard to find.

I bought a bottle online when it was launched. The downside is the added delivery cost. Looks like it's out of stock now on Mitchell & Sons.

L1011 · 30-01-2021 06:42PM

Best mates birthday last week and mine in the middle of next week, so splitting a bottle of Wild Turkey 101 for some boozier than usual cocktails over the weekend. Not the normal way of handling it for not normal times.

thethinone · 30-01-2021 07:41PM

ZV Yoda wrote: »

Any ideas where I’d get a bottle of Blue Spot?

I’m curious to try it, but seems to be hard to find.

What part of the country are you in? I saw it in a SuperValu in Waterford in December so I presume it would have been fairly handy to pick one up in most decent off licenses but maybe it’s gone scarce again.

thethinone · 30-01-2021 07:43PM

spiritcrusher wrote: »

Any recommendations for someone looking to get a moderately priced bottle this weekend for his birthday? Something in around €60/70 I think. Wouldn't have been a major whiskey drinker until recently but have been enjoying things like Powers Three Swallow and Green Spot recently and am interested in trying some more "decent" whiskies. Been thinking about getting a Redbreast 12yr old for the last while.

If he likes the 3 swallows then Powers John’s Lane might do the trick. It goes for about €70.

killbillvol2 · 30-01-2021 08:25PM

ZV Yoda wrote: »

Any ideas where I’d get a bottle of Blue Spot?

I’m curious to try it, but seems to be hard to find.

I got one from a local publican for a reasonable mark up. He wasn't going to be selling it any time soon so it suited us both. Haven't seen it in stock anywhere else recently.

Black Sheep · 30-01-2021 08:46PM

BonnieSituation wrote: »

What did the Venezuelan say?

He was a bit condescending about it... National pride I think. Said what would Irish people know about making rum

Can’t begrudge him that when I preferred Cacique and Diplomatico myself.

newbie runner · 30-01-2021 09:27PM

First time having a Fercullen.Really enjoying it.Very smooth to begin with, and spicy fruity notes really kick off at the finish.

ZV Yoda · 31-01-2021 01:09AM

thethinone wrote: »

What part of the country are you in? I saw it in a SuperValu in Waterford in December so I presume it would have been fairly handy to pick one up in most decent off licenses but maybe it’s gone scarce again.

I’m on the Nth Kildare / Dublin border. I’ve tried our Suoervalu & the local off-licences. None of them have it. Seems to be sold out everywhere online too.

dobman88 · 31-01-2021 01:35AM

Blue spot is in O Briens Ashbourne if you can get across there. North Kildare, Dublin border should have tou close enough.

I know its there cos I walked past the delivery man with his pallet outside during the week waiting for it to open and "spotted" all the spots on it.

Would hardly have sold out already.

Fionn1952 · 31-01-2021 03:07AM

Cracked open a bottle of the Fercullen 18 tonight. Not sold on it at all, massively overpriced to my palate. Way more acetyl flavours than I'd expect from a bottle of that age and price. Genuinely thought it tasted more like a mid priced blended dram than any sort of premium single malt.

FileNotFound · 31-01-2021 03:10AM

Wandering through the method and madness range.

So far enjoying them.

2011abc · 31-01-2021 11:25AM

spiritcrusher wrote: »

Any recommendations for someone looking to get a moderately priced bottle this weekend for his birthday? Something in around €60/70 I think. Wouldn't have been a major whiskey drinker until recently but have been enjoying things like Powers Three Swallow and Green Spot recently and am interested in trying some more "decent" whiskies. Been thinking about getting a Redbreast 12yr old for the last while.

At 60 Teeling Single Malt (55)
At 70 Teeling Brabazon 2 (75)

I’m not sure there IS a 60 something sweet spot in my opinion ( JJ Corry Gael2 500ml -best of the three mentioned if you can find it )

Enjoying Tesco Finest Single Malt at €34 this week

2011abc · 31-01-2021 11:32AM

Fionn1952 wrote: »

Cracked open a bottle of the Fercullen 18 tonight. Not sold on it at all, massively overpriced to my palate. Way more acetyl flavours than I'd expect from a bottle of that age and price. Genuinely thought it tasted more like a mid priced blended dram than any sort of premium single malt.

There are a few brands that seem to have as their only selling point that they’re NOT a big outfit but yet their stuff isn’t even as good as the mainstream players basic stock .I think they’re hoping for a cut of the export/ tourist market

Also unless I’m mistaken the entire process requires serious skill (especially to be above average) and errors can lead to nasty products

odyssey06 · 31-01-2021 11:40AM

Fionn1952 wrote: »

Cracked open a bottle of the Fercullen 18 tonight. Not sold on it at all, massively overpriced to my palate. Way more acetyl flavours than I'd expect from a bottle of that age and price. Genuinely thought it tasted more like a mid priced blended dram than any sort of premium single malt.

Their 10 and 14 are v nice. I think a former Cooley distiller is their main guy working with bought in stock he originally worked with.
Sounds like 18 is a misfire.

Fionn1952 · 31-01-2021 01:23PM

odyssey06 wrote: »

Their 10 and 14 are v nice. I think a former Cooley distiller is their main guy working with bought in stock he originally worked with.
Sounds like 18 is a misfire.

Aye, I was told that it was the Cooley master distiller and he had his choice of casks to take with him.

Looking at reviews online, it seems to be well received so maybe its just me, but it just didn't do it for me.

odyssey06 · 31-01-2021 01:37PM

FileNotFound wrote: »

Wandering through the method and madness range.
So far enjoying them.

Really liked the method and madness single grain spanish oak.
Must get around to sampling some more.

FileNotFound · 31-01-2021 02:51PM

odyssey06 wrote: »

Really liked the method and madness single grain spanish oak.
Must get around to sampling some more.

Loving them all. Even the accai wood one.

Prices seem to have dropped picked up some in CWS for 70 a bottle.

FileNotFound · 31-01-2021 02:56PM

spiritcrusher wrote: »

Any recommendations for someone looking to get a moderately priced bottle this weekend for his birthday? Something in around €60/70 I think. Wouldn't have been a major whiskey drinker until recently but have been enjoying things like Powers Three Swallow and Green Spot recently and am interested in trying some more "decent" whiskies. Been thinking about getting a Redbreast 12yr old for the last while.

I think you've mentioned one of the best choices there.

RB12 is rock solid and a lovely tipple. It and Greenspot are my go too's. So much better than most of the overpriced stuff landing everywhere.

dobman88 · 31-01-2021 04:40PM

dobman88 wrote: »

Blue spot is in O Briens Ashbourne if you can get across there. North Kildare, Dublin border should have tou close enough.

I know its there cos I walked past the delivery man with his pallet outside during the week waiting for it to open and "spotted" all the spots on it.

Would hardly have sold out already.

Just popped in.

Sold out. Apparently it got delivered 3 weeks ago. Where did that time go

ZV Yoda · 31-01-2021 05:17PM

dobman88 wrote: »

Just popped in.

Sold out. Apparently it got delivered 3 weeks ago. Where did that time go

Been offline most of today, only seeing this now. Thanks anyway for checking ðŸ‘

ZV Yoda · 31-01-2021 05:34PM

I’ve just called 4 different O’Brien’s. None of them has Blue Spot in stock. Same for my local SuperValu and Carry Out.

Ah well... you snooze, you lose!

Effects · 31-01-2021 07:44PM

Clearly they are restricting Bluespot just to try and get people talking about it.
They can't have had that many issues that they managed to produce way less than demand.

ZV Yoda · 31-01-2021 08:34PM

Effects wrote: »

Clearly they are restricting Bluespot just to try and get people talking about it.
They can't have had that many issues that they managed to produce way less than demand.

.. well, it worked like a charm!!

Effects · 31-01-2021 08:36PM

ZV Yoda wrote: »

.. well, it worked like a charm!!

But are people looking to buy it because they cant get it, or would those people be willing to buy it anyway?

I got two bottles when it came out, but haven't opened them yet.

Got a few small sample bottles of it as well, so had been trying those in the mean time.

odyssey06 · 31-01-2021 08:46PM

Tasting Waterford Single Farm Origin Sheestown Edition 1.2 & Waterford Organic Gaia 1.1 with samples from DrinksHero.com in Cork.

I'll crib some tasting notes from here for the Sheestown:
Medium with spices, and more of the oranges, and a hint of mint chocolate. Conclusion: Very nice stuff, not lacking complexity for such a youngster. This one's big on the spice alongside the creamy and fruity notes.
http://www.whiskyisrael.co.il/2020/12/26/waterford-sheestown-1-2/

The creaminess is really the signature note here.
The Gaia has the creaminess also but on the finish has a hit of something like vanilla custard, which is a bit overwhelming.

I wouldn't be coming back to the Gaia, a bottle of the Sheestown would be most welcome but so far the Ratheadon 1.1 would still be my pick of the Waterford releases. Also tasted previously - the Bannow Island 1.1 which I'd rank above the Gaia and maybe on a par with the Sheestown 1.2.

antimatterx · 31-01-2021 08:53PM

I'm normally a Jameson Original drinker. I think it tastes great and is a good price. What would others recommend if I was to expand my whiskey tasting? (Or If anyone knows of any places selling Jameson cheap rn).

Effects · 31-01-2021 08:54PM

Try Jameson Stout Cask edition.

What Whisky/Whiskey are we drinking this month?

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