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Whiskey Recommendation Required

  • 25-07-2019 10:03pm
    #1
    Registered Users Posts: 2,291 ✭✭✭


    Hi folks,

    Getting married in a few weeks and am looking to get my groomsmen a nice bottle of whiskey each as a gift.

    They like their whiskey but I wouldn’t be a big whiskey drinker myself so am not sure what o should be getting them.

    I was looking at this - https://www.celticwhiskeyshop.com/redbreast-15-year-old-single-pot-still

    Reviews seem decent but just looking for people’s thoughts and is there something better I should be looking at for that price range?

    Any advice much appreciated.


Comments

  • Registered Users, Subscribers, Registered Users 2 Posts: 47,336 ✭✭✭✭Zaph


    I'd be absolutely delighted if somebody gave me a present of a bottle of Redbreast 15, it's a great whiskey.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 39,601 ✭✭✭✭Mellor


    Good choice imo


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,291 ✭✭✭All_in_Flynn


    Thanks folks, just purchased there. Hopefully they like it.

    Appreciate the feedback.


  • Moderators, Arts Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators Posts: 77,020 Mod ✭✭✭✭New Home


    I've a very similar question, but I don't know anything at all about whiskey. I need to get three bottles as a big thank you for three friends, even if I have to buy them over three payrolls.

    I've been looking at the 15 y.o. Redbreast mentioned here, but also at this http://www.mchughs.ie/kilbeggan-21-year-old-limited-edition-blend (I know it's 25% dearer) - any opinion? Or any other suggestion?

    Thanks a million.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,968 ✭✭✭blindside88


    New Home wrote: »
    I've a very similar question, but I don't know anything at all about whiskey. I need to get three bottles as a big thank you for three friends, even if I have to buy them over three payrolls.

    I've been looking at the 15 y.o. Redbreast mentioned here, but also at this http://www.mchughs.ie/kilbeggan-21-year-old-limited-edition-blend (I know it's 25% dearer) - any opinion? Or any other suggestion?

    Thanks a million.

    If you’re looking to keep the cost down the 12 y.o Redbreast is very nice as well. I have no experience if the whiskey you have linked unfortunately


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 32,135 ✭✭✭✭odyssey06


    Really it depends on your budget.

    Redbreast of any age statement is a top whiskey.

    If you want to economise Writers Tears, Teelings or Bushmills 10yo are v good also.

    "To follow knowledge like a sinking star..." (Tennyson's Ulysses)



  • Moderators, Arts Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators Posts: 77,020 Mod ✭✭✭✭New Home


    Thanks folks.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 32,135 ✭✭✭✭odyssey06


    Ps The Kilbebeggan linked is intriguing... I would love to sample but for a present I think play it safer

    "To follow knowledge like a sinking star..." (Tennyson's Ulysses)



  • Registered Users Posts: 191 ✭✭picachu


    Would go for redbreast 12 or 15.

    Green spot would be a popular choice among the masses but not my cup of tea


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,360 ✭✭✭Rows Grower


    odyssey06 wrote: »
    Ps The Kilbebeggan linked is intriguing... I would love to sample but for a present I think play it safer

    It sounds like a load of left overs thrown in together.

    "Excuse me, this tastes terrible"

    "What did you expect ?"

    "Very soon we are going to Mars. You wouldn't have been going to Mars if my opponent won, that I can tell you. You wouldn't even be thinking about it."

    Donald Trump, March 13th 2018.



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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 805 ✭✭✭mrmorgan


    What about mcgregors whiskey??

    worth getting a box over?? ha ha


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,360 ✭✭✭Rows Grower


    Cleanest whiskey I ever tasted was a present I opened last night. Seven Hills VAT blended whiskey made in the 70's.

    I never heard of the stuff before and the bottle was manky on the outside but about a third of it went down very easy and nothing next or near a hangover this morning.

    I wouldn't be a big fan of whiskey but I'm looking forward to a few of my friends who are well into it trying a drop of this.

    "Very soon we are going to Mars. You wouldn't have been going to Mars if my opponent won, that I can tell you. You wouldn't even be thinking about it."

    Donald Trump, March 13th 2018.



  • Moderators, Arts Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators Posts: 77,020 Mod ✭✭✭✭New Home


    Cleanest whiskey I ever tasted was a present I opened last night. Seven Hills VAT blended whiskey made in the 70's.

    I never heard of the stuff before and the bottle was manky on the outside but about a third of it went down very easy and nothing next or near a hangover this morning.

    I wouldn't be a big fan of whiskey but I'm looking forward to a few of my friends who are well into it trying a drop of this.

    Somehow I think a bottle of that would set me back a tiiiny bit more than €100-€150...


  • Moderators, Arts Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators Posts: 77,020 Mod ✭✭✭✭New Home


    It sounds like a load of left overs thrown in together.

    "Excuse me, this tastes terrible"

    "What did you expect ?"

    So, like a curry but made of whiskeys? :pac: Curries can be nice... :p


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,360 ✭✭✭Rows Grower


    New Home wrote: »
    Somehow I think a bottle of that would set me back a tiiiny bit more than €100-€150...

    I won't lie I googled it after the first glass and I said to the wife I should have kept it for when people call and she said enjoy it, it's not often I appreciate a whiskey for what it is.

    It's not from the lack of trying and I can be very cynical about hyped up brands even though I like to think the few I haven't opened are investments.

    "Very soon we are going to Mars. You wouldn't have been going to Mars if my opponent won, that I can tell you. You wouldn't even be thinking about it."

    Donald Trump, March 13th 2018.



  • Moderators, Arts Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators Posts: 77,020 Mod ✭✭✭✭New Home


    Hi folks, this question raises its head again.

    I'm looking for a bottle of whiskey for a 60th birthday, I'd like to spend between €60 and €100. They got a bottle of 15 y.o. Redbreast a while ago so I was thinking of going for something else, but today in my local off-licence I saw a single cask Redbreast (in a black box, but I'm pretty sure it wasn't the 21y.o.) for €99. Should I go for it or is it dear for what it is? Does anyone have any other suggestions, even for a different spirit? I don't drink so I'm utterly clueless.

    Also, I've looked at a few off-licences with a website (including those on this thread https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058258287/best-online-wine-retailer#latest) but I don't know what to look for. If someone could also recommend a good website I'd be grateful. The last time I used this crowd. https://www.drinkstore.ie/

    Thanks.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 913 ✭✭✭sceach16


    I suspect the black box you saw was a redbreast cask strentgh...its about 90 to 100 and is about 57% proof as distinct from standard whiskey(40%). It is a good buy for a whiskey drinker. Celtic whiskey or OBriens have good websites and OB's do free delivery over 100 e.

    https://www.celticwhiskeyshop.com https://www.obrienswine.ie/



  • Moderators, Arts Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators Posts: 77,020 Mod ✭✭✭✭New Home


    Thanks for the info, @sceach16

    I was in Dunnes in another town today and I took a gander around their off-licence. This was on offer from €70 (on the website) down to €54 in the shop (I actually think it said €68 on the shelf, but anyway...) and there was only one bottle left, so I said feck it and bought it. If the recipient doesn't like it, it can be re-gifted or offered it to guests. It's the thought that counts, isn't it?

    https://www.dunnesstoresgrocery.com/sm/delivery/rsid/445/product/powers-single-pot-still-irish-whiskey-700ml-100872857



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,617 ✭✭✭lawrencesummers


    Powers has an image problem in that it was always marketed as a mass market product and now they want to sell it at a inflated price, in old time a bottle of powers was €25 and now they want to get €70.

    (Thats me not taking into account whats in the bottle btw)



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 913 ✭✭✭sceach16




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  • Moderators, Arts Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators Posts: 77,020 Mod ✭✭✭✭New Home


    Ah shoot... that shows how much I know about spirits...

    Does it make any difference that it's aged?



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 32,135 ✭✭✭✭odyssey06


    Thats Powers Johns Lane 12 year old so a huge step up in quality from basic Powers (or the mid range offering Three Swallow).

    The bottles have all been redesigned.

    Suggest dropping a hint to whoever you have given it to that this is the 12yo version pure pot still and not the basic blended Powers!

    "To follow knowledge like a sinking star..." (Tennyson's Ulysses)



  • Moderators, Arts Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators Posts: 77,020 Mod ✭✭✭✭New Home


    Perfect, thanks! I'll tell him I owe them another four to match his age - that should do it! 😀



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,617 ✭✭✭lawrencesummers


    As i said, im not taking into account whats in the bottle, im just commenting on the name. The spirit could be amazing! Its a gift that should intrigue any whiskey drinker. Its probably not going to be a bottle that appreciates massively in the resale market if left unopened but you have probably gifted a tasty dram that you both should sit down and sip and enjoy.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,617 ✭✭✭lawrencesummers


    What should probably be left on this thread as a sticky post is a recommendation for whiskey at different price points.

    If anyone has a opinion please advise.

    il post my own later, but as a rule of thumb the older the better, and the fancier the presentation the better !

    Entry level €25-€35

    Mid level €35-€60

    Quality €60-€95

    Premium €95- €120

    Super premium €120- €200

    Top notch €200+



  • Moderators, Arts Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators Posts: 77,020 Mod ✭✭✭✭New Home


    Seconded. I'm bound to come back here for the next event.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 32,135 ✭✭✭✭odyssey06


    Entry level

    Slane

    Busker blended

    Just on the edge of entry and mid level depending on whether on offer

    Tullamore Dew rum cask finish

    Roe and Co

    Teeling Small Batch

    Lambay Small Batch

    "To follow knowledge like a sinking star..." (Tennyson's Ulysses)



  • Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 3,145 Mod ✭✭✭✭Black Sheep


    I'm a bit confused by your posts to be honest... Could you go again with what you're trying to say?

    Powers John's Lane and Powers Gold Label are two different whiskies by Powers, at very different price points.



  • Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 3,145 Mod ✭✭✭✭Black Sheep


    Powers John's Lane is one of the best Irish whiskies at that price point, don't sweat it. A great gift if they know anything at all about whiskey ;)



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  • Moderators, Arts Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators Posts: 77,020 Mod ✭✭✭✭New Home


    Thanks, @Black Sheep, that's reassuring.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,617 ✭✭✭lawrencesummers


    Going back to less affluent times when there were few very whiskeys on the shelf in any pub there was a choice of paddy & powers which were bog standard cheapest drop going. A jameson was more expensive, and a crested 10 or a black bush were special occasion drops.

    Times have changed, and changed a huge amount.

    But paddy and powers are still be considered by many to be what they once were entry level run of the mill whiskeys, even though there has been considerable effort made to reinvent them at a higher level and get away from the historic reputation of the brand.

    If you gave a 50+ year old a bottle of powers and told him it cost €70 they might think you are mad because their association with that name is from before.



  • Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 3,145 Mod ✭✭✭✭Black Sheep


    The way you wrote your original post it seemed like you didnt know the difference between Gold Label and John's Lane, with your reference to inflated pricing and the 25 euro price now being 70. Were you confusing the two?

    Powers Gold Label has always delivered good value for money. Compared to some other Irish blends considering what's in it, its always been a steal and far from being considered low quality it has been a popular choice for people who know their whiskey for years.

    In recent times Powers age statement whiskies and John's Lane have been well reviewed and they're about as good as it gets at that price range.

    Could someone not know their arse from their elbow and not know the value of what they're getting? Well, sure, I guess... But most people who know a little about Irish whiskey will definitely know what John's Lane is I think. If they don't know a thing about whiskey then you'd hope they'd google it.



  • Moderators, Arts Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators Posts: 77,020 Mod ✭✭✭✭New Home


    @Black Sheep

    Could someone not know their arse from their elbow and not know the value of what they're getting? Well, sure, I guess...


    If they don't know a thing about whiskey then you'd hope they'd google it.

    Or do like me and ask here. 😄



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,224 ✭✭✭Hodors Appletart


    Powers Gold Label is my go-to "everyday" whiskey, I love it. As a step up from it, I also really enjoy Three Swallows. However, I didn't enjoy Johns Lane on the couple of occasions I've had it.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 39,601 ✭✭✭✭Mellor


    You are confusing two different products. Gold label and Powers Johns Lane.

    Johns Lane has always been premium. You’ve never seen that for €25.

    Yes that makes a huge different. That’s a premium version of powers. Poster above is confusing it with the bottom shelf stuff.



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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 39,601 ✭✭✭✭Mellor


    Paddy and Power are entry level bottom shelf whiskys. Regular Jameson and Bushmills are also bottom shelf.

    Crested and Blackbush might be a notch above. The equivalent Power would be 3 swallows.

    Powers Johns Lane is a set above again. Along with Jameson special reserve or Bushmills single malts. Those would probably be top shelf in pub with a basic selection.



  • Moderators, Arts Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators Posts: 77,020 Mod ✭✭✭✭New Home


    Paddy and Power, not to be confused with Paddy Powers or to be consumed before or during a visit to it.



  • Moderators, Arts Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators Posts: 77,020 Mod ✭✭✭✭New Home


    Thanks for that, that's good to know, too - I just hope the recipient doesn't have your same tastebuds. 🙂



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,149 ✭✭✭✭the beer revolu


    I do think that the Power's rebrand left all the Power's range looking a bit too similar. Also, why does Gold Label have a red label with no gold on it?



  • Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 3,145 Mod ✭✭✭✭Black Sheep


    Yeah I'm not a fan of the rebrand. I don't mind the bottle shape but they needed more contrast in terms of label and markings.



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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,212 ✭✭✭Beanstalk


    They do have some gold on the gold label but its not very obvious to be sure. I knwow i've said it before but when you look at the old branding against the new it does look pretty dated. Even the bottle shape alone wouldn't stand out anymore with all the new ranges and bottle types coming in. It was too similar to Paddy's etc




  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,149 ✭✭✭✭the beer revolu


    I quite like the branding, I just think that the top shelf ones look too similar to the entry level ones.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,212 ✭✭✭Beanstalk


    Aye thats fair enough. In fact the John's Lane one is probaly the plainest of all (the three swalls has nice swallow reliefs all over the label) and the 'aged 12 years' is pretty small.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 39,601 ✭✭✭✭Mellor




  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,797 ✭✭✭ablelocks


    rather than start a new thread.....

    would like a recommendation for a treat for myself from work bonus.

    i had planned on getting Redbreast 12yo, but got one as a Christmas present.

    was thinking of blue spot, but then saw a redbreast cask strength, and the Jameson pot still looks interesting too.

    or should i be thinking something different?



  • Registered Users Posts: 3,458 ✭✭✭kuang1


    Blue spot was probably my favourite whiskey of 2022. (it has dislodged green spot from my no. 1 spot of regular "treat" whiskeys)

    And I'm a blatant, cliche redbreast fan 😊

    Goldspot wasn't as good.

    Albeit in a lower price bracket, the jameson black barrel range is fantastic.

    Dingle's single malt batch 5 was another winner for me.



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