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This has resulted in some older distilleries rebranding to keep up with their new competitors as well as some old family recipes being revived through brands like Teeling and Tullamore D.E.W. We’ve gathered some of the best names in the Irish Whiskey market, so you know which ones you simply must-have in your Whiskey cabinet.
1)Redbreast Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey 12YO vs. 2) Jameson Black Barrel
3) Bushmills Black Bush
4) Greenore 8 Year Old
5)Teeling Small Batch
1. Redbreast vs. Jameson
We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: when the Whiskey-drinking world thinks of Irish Whiskey, they think of Jameson’s. But Ireland makes other Whiskeys, too, and in the interests of exploration and fairness, you owe it to yourself - and the Irish people - to try a few others.
Jameson Black Barrel
The core Jameson’s Whiskey uses a unique mixture of triple-distilled grain and pot-still Spirits aged seven years in a combination of ex-Bourbon and ex-Sherry casks.
Jameson Black Barrel Irish Whiskey takes the extra step of re-charring the Bourbon casks ("black barrel," get it?). It diminishes the Bourbon influence and adds a more natural, vanilla character.
Redbreast Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey 12YO
It’s the process of making Whiskey in a copper pot still, from both malted and unmalted barley, that makes this Redbreast unique. Moreover, no grain Whiskey is added to the 12-Year-Old. It’s highly regarded as one of the best (if not the best) Irish Whiskeys by notable critics and laypeople alike.
Redbreast 12 Year Old has won several accolades, including the Liquid Gold Award from Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible in 2014.
TASTING NOTES
• COLOR: Bright amber
• COLOR: Mahogany
2. Bushmills Black Bush
Bushmills Distillery in the north of Ireland has the legacy of being the oldest distillery in Ireland and the oldest licensed distillery in the world. That is quite a testament to their quality and proves they have stood the test of time. Today they are owned by Jose Cuervo, having been sold by Diageo in 2014.
Their Black Bush blend is crafted from malt matured in Oloroso Sherry casks and has been triple distilled, which makes it incredibly smooth.
The nose is spicy and warming, with cinnamon and dried fruits coming out. There is a hint of Christmas cake, with raisins and Christmas spices coming out. The palate is luxurious and fruity, with apples and pears making an appearance. There is also a lovely citrus note that is zesty and really livens up the palate. It continues into the finish, which has more sweet vanilla and oak notes as well.
Look out also for the latest Bushmills Steamship release; it's superb!
3. Greenore 8 Year Old
Greenore is made in the Cooley Distillery, which was originally owned by John Teeling in 1987. Today it is owned by Beam Suntory, and the Teelings have moved on to their own brand of Whiskey. Greenore is still made at Cooley, alongside other Irish brands Kilbeggan, Tyrconnell, and Connemara, which is the only peated Whiskey made on the island.
Their 8-Year-Old Greenore is a treat usually saved for duty-free, so make sure you ask to try it first - it will help the flight go quicker. It's a single grain Whiskey, made from maize/corn sourced from France and one of the few double-distilled Irish Whiskey! It will give you a newfound respect for grain Whiskey.
It opens with a nose of lemon peel, honey, and malted barley. The cereal notes are rich and thick. They come into their own on the palate, which is full of oak and sweet vanilla tones. This dram is full of fruits and sweet notes, with a full body and smooth mouthfeel. The finish is sweet, with pecans and hazelnuts and a lovely long oak note.
4. Teeling Small Batch
Although Teeling, as we know it today has only been around for a few decades, they have a history in the Irish Whiskey industry that dates back to the 1700s.
The family is trying, and succeeding, at reviving their brand and bringing Teeling Whiskey back to the public. They recently brought distilling back to Dublin when they opened the first distillery in the city in 125 years. They have won a number of awards with their malts and their small-batch expression is a wonderful example of what they can do.
The nose is fruity and warming, with orchard tones of grass and oak and a lovely cinnamon tone. There are citrus fruits and lots of ripe green apples coming through. The palate is sweet, with summer berries, vanilla, and more spice. There is a delicate floral note to this malt, with a hint of cherry blossom appearing. The finish is rich, with herbal notes and more oak sweetness lingering on the tongue.
Teeling's single cask releases are the stuff of legend as well! Try to pick one up if you see it, you'll never be disappointed!
Think we’re missing any Irish Whiskey from our list? Let us know your favorites in the comments.
