Irish Whiskey

[scratchline]

St. Paddy's Day started early for us, and it's all because of jury duty.

When I was called for jury duty in Manhattan in November, I spent my breaks wandering Chinatown & Little Italy, and happened to find two dusty bottles of Erin Go Bragh ($28 apiece) in a little Chinatown liquor store. I'm not usually the whiskey purchaser in our household, so I didn't get it, but that evening we reread the Asimov piece (mentioned earlier in the thread) and thought we should go back.

Somehow, though, we didn't, until today! And miraculously, the two bottles were still there. We made a Tipperary (Gary Regan's version), which was SPECTACULAR:

Chill glass, and rinse it with green Chartreuse.

Stir for 30 seconds:

2 oz Erin Go Bragh Irish whiskey

1 oz sweet vermouth (we used Vya, yum)

...and strain into the chilled glass.

Balanced and beautiful.

Tomorrow we're going to try the Weeski (Dave Wondrich).

What are y'all drinking for the holiday?

[thirtyoneknots]

After four straight 10 hour days (nights) behind the bar I decided to get a little unwound on my day off and tested both the Tipperary, the 'Weeski' and the Emerald (2:1 Irish:Vermouth with dashes orange bitters) all made with Bushmills (its what I had on hand). Also had a couple of pints of Guinness (of course) with some sharp cheddar melted on toast -- one of my favorite snacks. All outstanding drinks, though I must admit to liking the Emerald best, though no surprise there since I am a huge Manhattan fan. Loved what the TBT orange bitter added to it.

Also had a Vesper, as I happened to be watching Casino Royale for the first time tonight.

Wonderful evening, overall.

-Andy

[tanstaafl2]

Dusting off this older thread to see if others in the US are getting an opportunity to experience the seeming resurgence of pure pot still Irish Whiskey .

I have enjoyed the Black Bush blend, which I presume is not pot stilled since it is a blend with grain whiskey (not entirely clear on the various distinctions!), and the Jameson Special reserve 12yo which is also a blend but heavy on the Midleton distillery pot still whiskey and have had the Redbreast 12yo in the past which I also found quite nice.

So I was interested in trying the Green Spot, Powers John's Lane (different from the popular Powers Gold Label which is now a blend) and Redbreast Cask Strentgh 12yo pure pot still whiskey. Of those apparently only the Redbreast CS has started showing up in the US although no joy so far in the Atlanta area despite my efforts to pester my local retailers.

Anybody else seeing the Redbreast CS locally?

This blog, in the comments, suggested the Powers might also make it to the US eventually.

Might have to add some of these to my growing list of things to look for whilst in London this summer!

Edited to note that Boston (big surprise!) seems to be the one area where stores seem to have it in stock that I can find.

Edited February 28, 2012 by tanstaafl2 (log)

[Simon_S]

I'm a big fan of Green Spot, but obviously I find it a little easier to find locally! Definitely worth a taste if you can get your hands on it.

[tanstaafl2]

I'm a big fan of Green Spot, but obviously I find it a little easier to find locally! Definitely worth a taste if you can get your hands on it.

Good to hear a "local" perspective! I will keep it on my list of items to look for.

While at the store recently discussing Irish Whiskey the staff suggested The Irishman 70 and Irishman Single Malt whiskeys as good options to consider. Could just be the sales pitch but some reviews I have found seem encouraging. Apparently the source of the whiskey is something of a secret but the 70 uses 70% malt and 30% pure pot still (still not sure I know exactly what that means other than use of a pot still and a mix of malted and unmalted barley). Seems to be that the Bushmills Distillery is a source for at least some of the whiskey but perhaps the pure pot still portion comes from Midleton?

Currently has a $10 off coupon so it isn't a big expense. I may give it a try just out of curiosity. Just have to decide between the blend and the single malt. Or both...

Edited March 1, 2012 by tanstaafl2 (log)

[gfweb]

I can get Red Breast here and am quite fond of it.

[ChrisTaylor]

Just picked up a bottle of Jameson's 18-year-old 'Limited Reserve'. I like it. It's simple and accessible but very good at what it's set out to do. Vastly superior to the standard Jamie (which was the first whisk[e]y I actually liked and still my favourite bottom shelf spirit), which is my go-to order any time I want whiskey but encounter a menu limited to Johnnie, Jamie and Jim (such menus still exist).

Very easy drinking. I'm keen to try this one on some non-whiskey drinkers I've been trying to convert.