Yeah, i didn't know if that was a good representation of what Irish whiskey is or not. I'm not opposed to going up in price if it means finding something I'll like. I've spent more on bourbons that i was less than happy with, haha.
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Maggie’s Pappy van winkle
- Thread starter clinto
- Start date
Yeah, i didn't know if that was a good representation of what Irish whiskey is or not. I'm not opposed to going up in price if it means finding something I'll like. I've spent more on bourbons that i was less than happy with, haha.
For me I don't buy Irish below Redbreast 12 to drink neat. Only bad thing is good Irish is expensive over here. 4 I'd recommend are Redbreast 12 and 15, Green Spot, Yellow spot. Jameson Gold is good too but I rarely buy it for some reason.
I found a bottle of Stagg Jr at a local store a couple days ago, haven’t opened it though. Anybody tried it?
Depending on the batch, it'll either be really hot, or really good.
If you don't like scotch, you're just not going to like it. Avoid anything that is Islay, as it'll be like drinking a bonfire. So stick to highland or Speyside which will have less peat to it. Or try a Japanese single malt that will be "clean" to see if you want to go any further. I highly recommend just going to a whiskey bar and trying samples so you aren't stuck with a bottle you don't like.
As far as Irish whiskey, it is usually distilled a few times to make more of a neutral flavor. So it'll never have the depth, richness or complexity of bourbon. That said, the Redbreast mentioned is a good expression or better yet John Powers, John's Lane 12 year.
Yeah, agreed it's definitely best to go to a bar and try things before buying. Just going by labels is a minefield. Bunnahbabhain is a classic Islay distillery, but isn't peated (and IMO is a fantastic starting place for non-Scotch drinkers). Ledaig is a Highland malt, but is heavily peated. Many distilleries have multiple lines, some of which are peated, and some of which aren't. Case in point: Tobermory is made at the same distillery as Ledaig, but is unpeated.
And I don't necessarily agree about Irish. It may be distilled up to three times, but it's batch distilled (at least the pure pot still Irish whiskeys are), which leaves significantly more congeners in the distillate than a continuous column still like the ones used to make many bourbons, even if distilled to roughly the same proof. Bourbon just derives more from barrels than just about any other type of whiskey due to 1) it being aged in new barrels and 2) bourbon generally comes from places with higher temperature fluctuations during the year.
I don't disagree. The newly charred oak makes all the difference in bourbon as anyone who's had fresh white dog can attest. Proof aside, I still prefer bourbon as the more interesting spirit. I never could get into scotch.
Yeah, I think I'm in the minority of whiskey drinkers that doesn't really have a preference between bourbon and Scotch, just depends on mood. But I also love rum as much as (and maybe even more than) whiskey. Generally speaking though, if it has booze in it, I'll probably drink it.
And that's where I am at. I rotate on whatever kick I am on... from cocktails to bourbon or rum neat, different wines (lots of that), to gin or vodka.... currently making my way through Armangac and Cognac. When the weather warms, it's about Vesper Martinis...
The older I get the more I hate Islay scotch...lagavulin 16 was my go to for years...can’t do the smoke anymore.
I do glenlivet 12 and 18 now.
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