What Whisky/Whiskey are we drinking this month?

Rew · 29-06-2020 2:33pm

Mellor wrote: »

Is it expensive compared to other 12 yo’s?
I imagine I’ll have a bottle or variation of it anyway around for some time.

12 is ~€60 an 12CS is ~€90-100

odyssey06 · 29-06-2020 6:05pm

the beer revolu wrote: »

Longville house have been doing this for years - I first tasted it back in around 2001.

We, at Blackwater Distillery have a cask of apple brandy maturing. There should be a limited, single cask release later this year. We distilled Legacy cider.

Why isn't it more common?
Well, producing cider is expensive and, unlike microbrewers, cider producers can't avail of lower duty rates.
Most cider producers don't have distilling facilities or permissions. The only two I know of are Longuevill House in Cork and Highbank Orchard in Kilkenny.
For distillers to buy in finished cider and distil, it works out very expensive.
There is no tradition of people paying premium prices for Irish apple brandy - it's a hard sell.

We did it more as an experiment and a bit of fun rather than a commercial venture..

Sounds intriguing.

At the Whistler tasting the Boann guys said they will be distilling apple brandy - they are connected with Cooney Cider.
But they also seem to be doing it more as an experiment.

Profile here also mentions apple brandy.
http://boanndistillery.ie/raise-a-glass/

Hijpo · 29-06-2020 6:43pm

I have started into a single pot still sample pack. 50ml measures of Redbreast 12, green spot, powers John's lane release and midleton Barry Crockett legacy. After that I have the three Waterford Distillery releases on the way. Have my eye on a bottle of lagavulin 16 also.

Mellor · 30-06-2020 4:36am

Rew wrote: »

12 is ~€60 an 12CS is ~€90-100

Sorry, I misread your previous post. I though you were talking about the price of the regular RB12. I was thinking ~€60 towards to lower end of the market for similar 12yos.

Yeah, the CS is a bit expensive for everyday drinking. But the price makes sense also. If they add water in an almost 3:2 ratio, makes sense that the prices are around he same ratio. Obviously plus a bit of fat for standard costs like bottling and shipping.

the beer revolu · 30-06-2020 12:08pm

Mellor wrote: »

Sorry, I misread your previous post. I though you were talking about the price of the regular RB12. I was thinking ~€60 towards to lower end of the market for similar 12yos.

Yeah, the CS is a bit expensive for everyday drinking. But the price makes sense also. If they add water in an almost 3:2 ratio, makes sense that the prices are around he same ratio. Obviously plus a bit of fat for standard costs like bottling and shipping.

There's a lot more duty on a CS whisky, too, and VAT on that!

Mellor · 30-06-2020 1:07pm

the beer revolu wrote: »

There's a lot more duty on a CS whisky, too, and VAT on that!

Yup. It’s the same 3:2 ratio.
So makes sense that your looking at a 50% premium.

PaulT21 · 02-07-2020 8:47am

So the American Whiskey has arrived for the 4th July tasting. Six nice little samples. Can anyone advise on how to join the Zoom meeting as there was no communication with the whiskeys. Cheers

odyssey06 · 02-07-2020 8:59am

PaulT21 wrote: »

So the American Whiskey has arrived for the 4th July tasting. Six nice little samples. Can anyone advise on how to join the Zoom meeting as there was no communication with the whiskeys. Cheers

Usually you get an email on the day of the tasting with a link to the zoom meeting.

BonnieSituation · 02-07-2020 10:02am

Effects wrote: »

I picked up a bottle of Waterford Ratheadon on Wednesday at Drink Store in Stoneybatter.
Keeping it for a special occasion. Which is this Monday or Tuesday.

Was collecting my beer order from them and chanced to see if they had any as I could see a bottle on the top shelf behind the cash desk. And thankfully they did.

So that's the father in law's birthday sorted now in 3 weeks time. Hopefully I'll get to sample it then.

Did you get to have yours yet for your special occasion?

As an aside, they still have a couple of bottles of Ratheadon left for anyone else who wants to pick it up.

Adyx · 02-07-2020 11:10pm

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Got these today. (For work unfortunately). Still waiting to collect my Pilgrimage.

actuar90 · 03-07-2020 12:07am

BonnieSituation wrote: »

Was collecting my beer order from them and chanced to see if they had any as I could see a bottle on the top shelf behind the cash desk. And thankfully they did.

So that's the father in law's birthday sorted now in 3 weeks time. Hopefully I'll get to sample it then.

Did you get to have yours yet for your special occasion?

As an aside, they still have a couple of bottles of Ratheadon left for anyone else who wants to pick it up.

Thanks, got the last one this evening

Black Sheep · 03-07-2020 9:37am

I see CWS have 1792 bourbon and also a single barrel version.

If anyone is a bourbon fan, can they advise me where this stands in their estimate when stacked up against the likes of Eagle Rare, Elijah Craig etc. Or is it more akin to bourbons more around the price point of Woodford Reserve, Maker's Mark etc.

The high proof version won an award from Jim Murray but I've never tried it.

Doctor Jimbob · 03-07-2020 9:40am

I'll be in NI over the weekend and plan to stop at Asda for a few things. Does anyone have any recommendations that would be cheaper there and/or hard to find here?

Black Sheep · 03-07-2020 10:29am

Doctor Jimbob wrote: »

I'll be in NI over the weekend and plan to stop at Asda for a few things. Does anyone have any recommendations that would be cheaper there and/or hard to find here?

I often stop into Tesco Enniskillen and if it's a similar situation in Asda then it depends on their stock, but yes there's usually a bargain to be had. I've gotten bottles of Buffalo Trace, Talisker 10 at excellent prices.

On the Asda website they have Auchentoshan American Oak cask for 20 GBP. I've gotten this in the aforementioned Tesco before and it's very pleasant, one of those whiskies that is so delicate and mild it can work as a pre-dinner drink even.

I also see Highland Park 12 listed at 25 GBP. I think I'd be all over that.

Laphroaig 10, Penderyn, actually there's a ton of stuff on sale on the website, if the bricks and mortar is as good then you'll be laughing.

Beanstalk · 03-07-2020 10:49am

Black Sheep wrote: »

I often stop into Tesco Enniskillen and if it's a similar situation in Asda then it depends on their stock, but yes there's usually a bargain to be had. I've gotten bottles of Buffalo Trace, Talisker 10 at excellent prices.

On the Asda website they have Auchentoshan American Oak cask for 20 GBP. I've gotten this in the aforementioned Tesco before and it's very pleasant, one of those whiskies that is so delicate and mild it can work as a pre-dinner drink even.

I also see Highland Park 12 listed at 25 GBP. I think I'd be all over that.

Laphroaig 10, Penderyn, actually there's a ton of stuff on sale on the website, if the bricks and mortar is as good then you'll be laughing.

Old Pulteney 12 was on offer there last time I checked for under £30, could have been £26 or something

cloudatlas · 03-07-2020 11:14am

any opinions on Hinch?

Quackster · 03-07-2020 2:31pm

Beanstalk wrote: »

Old Pulteney 12 was on offer there last time I checked for under £30, could have been £26 or something

Picked it up for £24 in Asda around new year's.

I always check the websites of Sainsbury's, Tesco and Asda in advance to see what whisky offers they're currently running and decide what supermarket(s) I'll stop off at based on that.

odyssey06 · 03-07-2020 2:53pm

cloudatlas wrote: »

any opinions on Hinch?

Not yet... but if you are so inclined, there's tickets available for their tasting as part of the virtual Belfast Whiskey Week:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hinch-distillery-tasting-tickets-109523698330

Cazale · 03-07-2020 3:33pm

Doctor Jimbob wrote: »

I'll be in NI over the weekend and plan to stop at Asda for a few things. Does anyone have any recommendations that would be cheaper there and/or hard to find here?

I'm up North at the moment and just back from Sainsbury's. Got a bottle of Redbreast 12 for £40. Still a saving but I yearn for the days I used to get it for £30! Myself and the father in law drank a bottle of Powers Three Swallows between us last night. Think he is going to get a bottle of Bushmills 16 for tonight but don't think it'll be on offer anywhere.

Attached some photos of what they had in Sainsbury's.

Hogzy · 03-07-2020 5:09pm

Cazale wrote: »

I'm up North at the moment and just back from Sainsbury's. Got a bottle of Redbreast 12 for £40. Still a saving but I yearn for the days I used to get it for £30! Myself and the father in law drank a bottle of Powers Three Swallows between us last night. Think he is going to get a bottle of Bushmills 16 for tonight but don't think it'll be on offer anywhere.

Attached some photos of what they had in Sainsbury's.

20GBP for a bottle of JW Black Label is insane value!!!!!

Effects · 03-07-2020 6:16pm

BonnieSituation wrote: »

Was collecting my beer order from them and chanced to see if they had any as I could see a bottle on the top shelf behind the cash desk. And thankfully they did.

So that's the father in law's birthday sorted now in 3 weeks time. Hopefully I'll get to sample it then.

Did you get to have yours yet for your special occasion?

Special occasion happened on Monday night, with the birth of my fist child!
But I haven't had the whiskey yet, as I've been busy with Champagne and some other wines I've had in the cellar for a few years.

I think I'll have to sample it tonight though.

Black Sheep · 03-07-2020 6:52pm

Effects wrote: »

Special occasion happened on Monday night, with the birth of my fist child!
But I haven't had the whiskey yet, as I've been busy with Champagne and some other wines I've had in the cellar for a few years.

I think I'll have to sample it tonight though.

Congratulations!

I remember the first thing I drank the night my first child was born... It was a bottle of Bear Republic Brewing Co Racer 5

Cazale · 03-07-2020 6:55pm

Effects wrote:

Special occasion happened on Monday night, with the birth of my fist child! But I haven't had the whiskey yet, as I've been busy with Champagne and some other wines I've had in the cellar for a few years.

As someone who has a seven month old may I extended both my congratulations and commiserations. The whiskey will help a lot.

Useful.Idiot · 03-07-2020 7:28pm

Hogzy wrote: »

20GBP for a bottle of JW Black Label is insane value!!!!!

so is 28 for Laphroaig 10 :eek:

Cazale · 03-07-2020 7:51pm

Cazale wrote:

I'm up North at the moment and just back from Sainsbury's. Got a bottle of Redbreast 12 for Â£40. Still a saving but I yearn for the days I used to get it for Â£30! Myself and the father in law drank a bottle of Powers Three Swallows between us last night. Think he is going to get a bottle of Bushmills 16 for tonight but don't think it'll be on offer anywhere.

Of course he couldn't get the Bushmills so I had to open the Redbreast. Back to Sainsbury's tomorrow!

BonnieSituation · 04-07-2020 5:49pm

Effects wrote: »

Special occasion happened on Monday night, with the birth of my fist child!
But I haven't had the whiskey yet, as I've been busy with Champagne and some other wines I've had in the cellar for a few years.

I think I'll have to sample it tonight though.

Congratulations!

Cazale · 04-07-2020 6:54pm

Three Drams & Dingle Distillery Batch 5 Tasting tonight at 7. I forgot my samples so I'll have to watch the zoom recording another time.

PaulT21 · 04-07-2020 9:42pm

Enjoyed my first online Whiskey tasting tonight from L Mulligan. American whiskeys on the 4th July

Michael, Stewart and the crew were great, but I have a lot to learn. Cheers

odyssey06 · 04-07-2020 9:53pm

PaulT21 wrote: »

Enjoyed my first online Whiskey tasting tonight from L Mulligan. American whiskeys on the 4th July
Michael, Stewart and the crew were great, but I have a lot to learn. Cheers

Was an enjoyable night. Some very subjective opinions below.

The Rebel Yell Small Batch was a good 'opener' to whet the palette, with a hit of sweetness.
The Jack Daniels single barrel, very mellow, an all night sipper a definite step up from regular JD but hard to justify an RRP of €60 for it.
Bit disappointed with the Woodford Reserve Rye - much prefer Sazerac Rye
Eagle rare 10 year old - lovely whiskey, quality whiskey for RRP of €40-€50, would be the one I could envisage buying a bottle of.
Blantons Single Barrel - top top whiskey, lovely spicy finish. Not sure if it's worth all the fuss in terms of a collectors item although I like the stories around the stoppers (which feature a horse and jockey in different poses). RRP seems to be €100+.
EH Taylor Small Batch - lovely nose, hard to believe this is the same mash bill as the Eagle Rare. At 50% maybe a bit overwhelming for me, think Eagle Rare & Blantons better balanced.

the beer revolu · 05-07-2020 9:29am

odyssey06 wrote: »

. At 50% maybe a bit overwhelming for me, think Eagle Rare & Blantons better balanced.
[/LIST]

Captain obvious here.
Why not pour a drop of water into any whisky that's stronger than you typically like to drink???

mik_da_man · 05-07-2020 2:19pm

Cazale wrote: »

I'd love a sample set of 100-200ml to try them side by side. I asked them before and they said they have no plans to do it unfortunately.

Keep an eye out on the FB groups and you might be able to buy a set.
I do a regular bottle split with a group of lads and the Waterford trio was the most recent one.

There is a BIG difference between the 3 releases, with Ratheadon being a winner for me.

My very rudimentary notes below

BALLYKILCAVAN - this for me was quite youthful on nose and palate, short finish.
BANNOW ISLAND - Less of the new make on the nose, rounded mouthfeel and balance, fair bit of spice at the end, water didn't help.
Ratheadon: Very similar to Bannow Island on the nose and palate, but a bit more depth to it, finish was much better no sharp increase in spice.

Overall, quite impressive for a 3.5 yo whiskey, especially the second two

odyssey06 · 05-07-2020 2:43pm

the beer revolu wrote: »

Captain obvious here.
Why not pour a drop of water into any whisky that's stronger than you typically like to drink???

Yeah in two minds about that maybe I'm bringing a wine tasting mentality to it which I shouldn't be ... given that it's a comparitive tasting I suppose wanted to try the whiskies under the same circumstances. If I had more than 15-20mls to play with I might have tried it at different water ratios.

Rew · 05-07-2020 5:06pm

odyssey06 wrote: »

Yeah in two minds about that maybe I'm bringing a wine tasting mentality to it which I shouldn't be ... given that it's a comparitive tasting I suppose wanted to try the whiskies under the same circumstances. If I had more than 15-20mls to play with I might have tried it at different water ratios.

It's well established that a few drops of water can vastly improve things, don't too worried about giving it a go.

Cazale · 06-07-2020 8:34am

mik_da_man wrote:

BALLYKILCAVAN - this for me was quite youthful on nose and palate, short finish. BANNOW ISLAND - Less of the new make on the nose, rounded mouthfeel and balance, fair bit of spice at the end, water didn't help. Ratheadon: Very similar to Bannow Island on the nose and palate, but a bit more depth to it, finish was much better no sharp increase in spice.

Ordered 50ml of each from The sky and Grounds new online site. Interested to see if they are worth the hype.

Hogzy · 06-07-2020 9:41am

Anyone a member of the celtic whiskey club? Just wondering was the tasting pack for July just a sample of eagle rare 10? This is my first month being a member and I thought they sent out two samples as opposed to just one.

Cazale · 06-07-2020 4:33pm

Waterford have announced more releases coming at the end of July.

BALLYMORGAN: EDITION 1.1
SHEESTOWN: EDITION 1.1
BANNOW ISLAND: EDITION 1.2
BALLYKILCAVAN: EDITION 1.2
Online exclusive - Broomlands: Edition 1.1

9,000 bottlesÂ of each whiskyÂ will be available throughout Europe, Taiwan and Japan, with totally unique Single Farm Origins coming to the US in September.

Diamond Dogs · 07-07-2020 12:38pm

Hi all,

For the Belfast Whiskey Week 2020 online events, has anyone purchased a ticket for the Method and Madness session scheduled for 25 July?

I am asking because I noticed that the ticket buying stages did not ask for a delivery address, but the idea is that the samples for the session will be posted to you...

Anybody else experience this?!

odyssey06 · 07-07-2020 12:48pm

Diamond Dogs wrote: »

Hi all,
For the Belfast Whiskey Week 2020 online events, has anyone purchased a ticket for the Method and Madness session scheduled for 25 July?
I am asking because I noticed that the ticket buying stages did not ask for a delivery address, but the idea is that the samples for the session will be posted to you...
Anybody else experience this?!

Have signed up for one of the other sessions. The eTicket says that:
The organiser will contact you with instructions on how to redeem your ticket and access the event.

I haven't had any contact yet either. I wonder if the shipping will be handled per distillery rather than Belfast Whiskey Week themselves?

Actually, when I recheck my ticket on Eventbrite I see a billing and shipping address populated when I click "View complete attendee info".

ps interesting article on the festival here:
https://thatsdramgood.com/2020/07/01/belfast-whiskey-week-the-all-encompassing-whiskey-festival/amp/?__twitter_impression=true&fbclid=IwAR3jtO1YZNmEmzb6d54OhSCBv944iOj8t0Ej-_3AO9SXon5sshYqf1Dj9EU

Diamond Dogs · 07-07-2020 2:28pm

Thanks for that feedback, oddessy06. It seems to be that the Method and Madness event is the only one with that quirk, i.e. the purchase process did not request a delivery address!

I've contacted the organiser since by Eventbrite, so hopefully they will sort it. The event is sold-out, so I'm guessing other ticket buyers encountered this issue, maybe they didn't realise it yet!

Thanks for that link too, great article and site. That interview gives you a great sense of the logistics of this festival, fair play to them for organising it!

Charlie 22 · 08-07-2020 10:44pm

Powers 3 Swallow is on sale in Tesco at the moment sounds like it could be worth a punt at 37euro?
https://www.tesco.ie/groceries/Product/Details/?id=290670747

Its probably the cheapest single pot still whiskey going at the moment

Cazale · 09-07-2020 9:34am

Got my Waterford whisky order from Drops from the Sky. Looking forward to trying them.

Cazale · 09-07-2020 11:59am

Hogzy wrote:

Anyone a member of the celtic whiskey club? Just wondering was the tasting pack for July just a sample of eagle rare 10? This is my first month being a member and I thought they sent out two samples as opposed to just one.

I'm not a member but I think it's one sample every two months with the occasional two samples.

Cazale · 10-07-2020 9:58am

Redbreast Dream Cask Tasting

Back in May Irish Distillers released a limited edition 28 year old Redbreast “Dream Cask”. We were lucky enough to secure a bottle and we always planned to open it and share it with as many people as possible.

Win a ticket to the tasting.

If you have already purchased at ticket to our online whiskey festival Distilled you will automatically be entered into the draw to win a tasting set for this event. There is still time to purchase tickets for our event Distilled and be entered into the draw, you can find all the information about it here http://distilled.irish/

The Redbreast event will take place on Friday 24th July at 7p.m. with Redbreast ambassador Ger Garland and there will be 22 sets to be won. Please note tickets will not be available for purchase for this event. Sample sets will be posted out in good time for Irish entries. For international entries we will ship and you should receive on time however it will be recorded and you can watch it back later if there is a delay.

Distilled Online Whiskey Festival.

If you haven’t got your tickets you can still purchase up until Sunday evening here http://distilled.irish/ remember to select masterclasses or we will allocate them to you randomly. It’s a great line up with guests including Peter Mulryan from Blackwater Distillery, JJ Corry’s Louise McGuane, Midleton master distiller Kevin O’Gorman, Irish whiskey writer Fionnan O’Conner, Larissa Marrichi the Midleton micro distiller and Jennifer Nickerson from Tipperary Whiskey. And there will be whiskey, plenty of it! Including our exclusive Single cask, cask strength Highland Park which will only be available for sale to ticket holders.

cloudatlas · 10-07-2020 11:54am

Cazale wrote: »

Redbreast Dream Cask Tasting

Back in May Irish Distillers released a limited edition 28 year old Redbreast “Dream Cask”. We were lucky enough to secure a bottle and we always planned to open it and share it with as many people as possible.

Win a ticket to the tasting.

If you have already purchased at ticket to our online whiskey festival Distilled you will automatically be entered into the draw to win a tasting set for this event. There is still time to purchase tickets for our event Distilled and be entered into the draw, you can find all the information about it here http://distilled.irish/

The Redbreast event will take place on Friday 24th July at 7p.m. with Redbreast ambassador Ger Garland and there will be 22 sets to be won. Please note tickets will not be available for purchase for this event. Sample sets will be posted out in good time for Irish entries. For international entries we will ship and you should receive on time however it will be recorded and you can watch it back later if there is a delay.

Distilled Online Whiskey Festival.

If you haven’t got your tickets you can still purchase up until Sunday evening here http://distilled.irish/ remember to select masterclasses or we will allocate them to you randomly. It’s a great line up with guests including Peter Mulryan from Blackwater Distillery, JJ Corry’s Louise McGuane, Midleton master distiller Kevin O’Gorman, Irish whiskey writer Fionnan O’Conner, Larissa Marrichi the Midleton micro distiller and Jennifer Nickerson from Tipperary Whiskey. And there will be whiskey, plenty of it! Including our exclusive Single cask, cask strength Highland Park which will only be available for sale to ticket holders.

Is it really only 10 euro per master class ticket?

2011abc · 10-07-2020 4:50pm

Hijpo wrote: »

I have started into a single pot still sample pack. 50ml measures of Redbreast 12, green spot, powers John's lane release and midleton Barry Crockett legacy. After that I have the three Waterford Distillery releases on the way. Have my eye on a bottle of lagavulin 16 also.

Barry Crockett not surprisingly at 250 a full bottle wins by miles ,Powers Johns Lane ,second several lengths behind and the other two distant also rans for me .

Cazale · 10-07-2020 8:50pm

Couple of Whiskeys tonight.

Octomore 09.1. Heavily peated at 156ppm but the smoke is subtler than I was expecting. A really nice dram.

GlenDronach 18. A proper sherry bomb with a beautiful nose and lovely natural colour. Dry fruits and hints of chocolate. Gorgeous.

odyssey06 · 10-07-2020 8:58pm

Cazale wrote: »

Couple of Whiskeys tonight.
Octomore 09.1. Heavily peated at 156ppm but the smoke is subtler than I was expecting. A really nice dram.
GlenDronach 18. A proper sherry bomb with a beautiful nose and lovely natural colour. Dry fruits and hints of chocolate. Gorgeous.

I thought your next bulletin would be the Waterford tastings!

Cazale · 10-07-2020 9:27pm

odyssey06 wrote:

I thought your next bulletin would be the Waterford tastings!

I want to savour those. Watch this space!

Wailin · 11-07-2020 7:59pm

Picked up my Pilgrimage bottle and sample from Waterford distillery today. Anyone else get theirs? Lovely design to the bottle. The sample smells very interesting .

Cazale · 11-07-2020 8:33pm

Wailin wrote:

Picked up my Pilgrimage bottle and sample from Waterford distillery today. Anyone else get theirs? Lovely design to the bottle. The sample smells very interesting .

Could be a bit of a collectors item that. To drink or keep is the dilemma!

What Whisky/Whiskey are we drinking this month?

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