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

Lester_Burnham · 12-12-2025 11:43AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124064035#Comment_124064035

Well I've just looked through his reviews and it's almost all Scotch that he reviews. No Japanese.

Regardless of the way he phrased it, there's too much smoke and mirrors with sourcing here so his point stands. It shouldn't be accepted here and "distilleries" need to be called out on it.

the beer revolu · 12-12-2025 01:24PM

It's about time the Irish whisky industry was scrutinised and criticised. I'm not sure we'll see any change, though. As far as I can make out, if IDL want to keep the status quo, it will be kept.

Electric Nitwit · 12-12-2025 01:41PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124064489#Comment_124064489

Are any of IDL's whiskeys sourced?

I thought they distilled their own in Midleton, in which case it would be in their interests to lobby for origin distillery to be required. But maybe I've fallen for their marketing! 🙈

The Macho Man · 12-12-2025 01:53PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124064218#Comment_124064218

His point stands and I agree. But so does the posters comment around snobbery.

Another point related maybe to not declaring sources is how it's generally agreed in the industry it was Irish Distillers who got the Pot Still legal definition within the Irish Whiskey Technical file set to 30/30/5. When traditionally this wasn't necessarily the case. So it's not just the sourcing issue should be dealt with.

JMcL · 12-12-2025 01:54PM

For sure he's correct re overpricing here and lack of clarity over the origins, but in 2 reviews posted here over the past few days he's devoted more space to a rant about his grievances against Irish whiskey in general - on 2 whiskeys where the spirit is not sourced. Sure make a blog post about it but trotting it out on every review?

Aren't a bunch of the big Scotch brands (thinking Oban, possibly Lagavulin and several others) all malted in some central location? I'm pretty sure this was the case in the '90s though may have changed since

odyssey06 · 12-12-2025 01:57PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124064545#Comment_124064545

Until recently Knappogue Castle & Clontarf was an IDL brand, and pretty sure they were sourcing the single malt for that. They were sold on this year.

the beer revolu · 12-12-2025 01:57PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124064545#Comment_124064545

At one time all IDL's malt spirit for blends was from Bushmills. I don't know if this is still the case.

Electric Nitwit · 12-12-2025 02:14PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124064603#Comment_124064603

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124064604#Comment_124064604

Ah man, didn't realise that 🤣

Definitely agree that origin should be disclosed

Lester_Burnham · 12-12-2025 02:20PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124064593#Comment_124064593

Those reviews were from two different reviewers on the same website. Two out of hundreds of reviews. They're not reviewing much Irish whiskey because they don't trust where it's coming from.

Rather than blindly defending Irish whiskey we should see that there's a serious problem if we can't trust the source. I agree with them because they're right and I don't see how anyone can have an issue with it being called out.

There was a distillery here a few years ago where their blurb was talking sh1te about the source of their barley and they hadn't even built a still yet ffs.

Black Sheep · 12-12-2025 04:35PM

We can agree sourcing should be made clear by bonders/'whisky brands'. I've said it, and they're right to say it.

That said, it's the prelude to multiple of their Irish whisky reviews. I stopped after counting 3.

Why?

Well, it probably generates buzz and clicks- how many is this thread generating?

For me there's also a bit of snobbery detectable, but nothing major. I don't think that's just a matter of being unable to take criticism of the Irish whisky industry.. I've been plenty critical of it on here in the past.

Lastly, let's not pretend people who are into whisky, especially dramface bloggers, are confused about what is sourced and what isnt. We make this argument to help the average punter, not people into whisky, really.

If they review very little Irish whisky, its probably down to a variety of factors, but that it's because they're genuinely baffled about sourced versus own distillate is not credible. I think it more likely that many whisky fans, particularly in Scotland, are well served by their native industry and it is larger and still more varied than what we have. That's totally OK. There are Irish whisky blogs that doesn't touch much Scotch or international whisky.

Black Sheep · 12-12-2025 05:10PM

Definitely starting to feel the festive cheer.

First whiskey gift of Christmas 2025 is an Ardara (the 46% abv).

Electric Nitwit · 12-12-2025 05:12PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124065082#Comment_124065082

Nice, I asked Santa for bottle, hopefully he thinks I've been good

Lester_Burnham · 12-12-2025 05:57PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124065082#Comment_124065082

I'm a big fan of this stuff. Best new whiskey I had this year. And I tried a lot.

irish_goat · 12-12-2025 06:10PM

How's it compare to the Silkie range? Presuming this is distilled entirely in Donegal?

Black Sheep · 12-12-2025 06:27PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124065228#Comment_124065228

Yes, their own distillate.

It's much more heavily peated than any of the Silkie range.

Lester_Burnham · 12-12-2025 06:42PM

One or both of the Ardara bottles were on special offer in Dublin Airport last week or the week before. Worth checking if you're passing through. I normally take a picture but I was under pressure.

Beanstalk · 13-12-2025 08:33AM

Id go as far to say it's a completely different experience to Silkie. Much more rubbery and sellotap-ey and solvent alongside the peat and then sweet on the end.

I love it but it's incredibly divisive amongst my whisky friends, which is good I suppose. Would love to try the Cask Strength, but I don't want to pay €120 for a cask strength 3-4 year old whisky. I hear it's lovely though!

L1011 · 13-12-2025 10:39PM

Tesco's deals are on and are pretty solid.

Bought Black Bush for 23, Talisker 10 for 45 and Bushmills 10 for 30; for my stocking up. Laphroaig 10 as a Christmas present for a smokehead, for 50.

Also offers on RB10, Green and Yellow Spot, Powers etc.

Black Sheep · 14-12-2025 12:43AM

I opened the Ardara at 46% this evening. I had tasted it before, but this time was interesting because I was alone and had the time to think about it.

I think it's a very interesting whisky, but equally I can see how it could be divisive.

It's the nose, mainly. industrial, chemical, not paticularly appealing at all, really.

But the mouthfeel, following close behind, is exceptional. Even at 46% (which is not massive) it is rich, creamy and very good.

Less peaty than I remember, but certainly you're getting a wet, bog-like peat that reminds me of Finnish whisky I've had. Some sugars on the very end.

It's a rough ride that becomes very rewarding quite rapidly.

flended12 · 14-12-2025 09:09AM

Yea it was peaty at the very start but the warmth from the sherry casks was lovely, think of Scotland giving you a hug.

mik_da_man · 14-12-2025 03:16PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124066372#Comment_124066372

I had the Cask strength one and I couldn't warm to it at all, few friends really enjoyed it but definitely not for me. I wouldn't be shy about peat generally, but that solvent note you mentioned stood out for me and I couldn't get past it.

dakar · 14-12-2025 09:39PM

The Laphroaig PX is one of my favourite whiskys of the year, picked up a bottle on impulse in the duty free in Girona. I’ve looked for it since, but struggling to find one in Ireland. Anyone able to tell me whether a masterofmalt order will actually get delivered and what duty I’d be likely to pay here?

Beanstalk · 14-12-2025 10:37PM

Master of malt would be a poor choice. In the event that you'd forgotten to pay your duties and tax, master of malt would be caught straight away with the big branded boxes and quotes from Mark Twain about whisky on the box and stuff. Try jhpa. But either way, you might get the opportunity to pay customs and it will work out prob around another 40-50% on what you paid for the whisky minus VAT

JMcL · 15-12-2025 11:18AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124070226#Comment_124070226

I bought a bottle quite a while ago in the duty free in Rome, and didn't take to it immediately at all despite long being a fan of Laphroaig, no idea why really. I have come back to it in the last month or two though, and must say I've warmed to it.

DARK-KNIGHT · 15-12-2025 05:39PM

How about calling some stores up north and seeing an have they stock

dakar · 16-12-2025 08:47PM

I went with Redbreast PX for now, I’ll hunt down Laphroaig’s one in the new year. Thanks for the suggestions.

dmc17 · 16-12-2025 09:34PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124070226#Comment_124070226

https://spiritly.com/products/laphroaig-px-cask-whisky

I've bought from these a few times in the past. Their prices used to be better but the delivery was always very fast with DPD

Hodors Appletart · 18-12-2025 09:44AM

Got a bottle of Wee Beastie, it's a fiery one for sure, I suppose to be expected with a 5yr

Black Sheep · 18-12-2025 11:26PM

Was drinking more of the Ardara of late.

I must say I've been rethinking that solvent / industrial note on the nose.

I've been realising that it's actually very similar to two Finnish peated whiskies I have had. A sort of wet, vegetal smokiness.

mik_da_man · 18-12-2025 11:33PM

Picked up a few of the Christmas offers this week.

Trying the Powers Rye tonight, it's smoother than I expected, still got that rye spiciness, but well balanced . Great value at 30 quid in SV

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

Comments