Irish whiskey has thus far been nearly absent from this blog. Time to give a chance to the green island in the west.
Irish whiskey was once the most popular spirit in the world. Then it crashed in the 20th century following domestic and world wars, trade wars with the UK, and whatnot, with only a few large distilleries remaining, and over time simplifying their once complex style*. In the last few decades, however, there’s been a revival with many new craft distilleries now in operation, with a current total of 30 distilleries on Ireland.
Irish whiskey is similar to Scotch in production, but with some key differences. Scotch is most often double distilled whereas Irish whiskey is more commonly triple distilled. Scotch must be matured in oak, whereas Irish whiskey does not have the same limitation (although mostly it will use oak, I’m sure). In addition, the Irish also have their own distinct type of whiskey in “single pot still whiskey”. The unique feature is the inclusion of at least 30% of unmalted barely, in addition to a minimum of 30% malted barley and up to 5% other grains. The unmalted barely may have started as a way to avoid the tax on malt, but it supposedly also contributes “a distinct creamy mouth feel as well as nutty, oily, spicy flavours”**.
I have some Irish whiskey samples in my cupboard ready to be imbibed. Ar aghaidh linn!
Bushmills “The Causeway Collection” | 10yo (2011) | 56.3% | Official
🌐
Irish single malt
🪵
oloroso sherry + bourbon + sauternes finish
🔆
unchillfiltered
💲
available €90
🔗
whiskybase
5cl sample review
⚡Experience
Strong alcohol presence on the nose at first; through it I get wafts of wafers with vanilla wanilla, yellow fruits (candylike peach and apricot), and cereals notes (rye bread). Opens up nicely with some water. Knowing beforehand it’s a dessert wine finish, I can indeed smell it. A hint of damp oak wood is there too, and a faint herbal or hempy note, and some star anise. On the palate, it is thick and creamy, with sugary and spicy qualities and a robust maltiness. Canned fruits, cinnamon. Tastes quite young and lively, but with a lot of successful cask influence. Residual sweetness and ripe mangoes in the finish.
💡Thoughts
I quite enjoy this one. Thick and oozy with cask influence and clearly a robust spirit underneath. Perhaps too sweet for me general preference, but today it works well for me.
Rewarding
✔️
Great Northern Distillery “Lady of Arms” | 5yo (2017) | 56.7% | Irish Whiskeys
5cl sample review
⚡Experience
First and foremost, lots of vanilla and toffee, then slightly unripe/green fruits and berries, green grass, and cedar wood. Somewhere between a dry white wine and a herbal liqueur, if that makes sense. Palate is exceptionally dry (perhaps the contrast is amplified by the previous dram), quite strong on the alcohol, and a little bitter. Add to that quite a hot and spicy tendency that persists in the finish. Melon stands out as a flavour.
💡Thoughts
On the whole I’m not too keen. The nose is fine, but the spicy and a bit harsh aspect is not what I’m after. It’s still quite characterful and interesting, so I’ll put “Rewarding”, but not too far from an “Unfilfilling” in my book.
Rewarding
✔️
“Irish Diamonds” | 21yo (2002) | 56.4% | Alambic Classique
5cl sample review
⚡Experience
Waxy citrus peel on the nose, a bouquet of flowers, trocadero (a Swedish orange soda), canned tropical fruits, vanilla, and Portuguese nata with a cinnamon dusting. Palate is sweetish, with custard, lots of ripe fruits, just a little bit of spice.
💡Thoughts
This is really good stuff. I’d believe this was a venerable old Speysider any day of the week.
Rewarding
✔️
Overall, a very positive experience. I really like tropical fruit in whisky, and it seems the Irish do to. So, while I don’t expect Scotland to lose its gold medal as my favourite whisky country anytime soon (or ever), there is some healthy competition.
DuckDrams 
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