With my handle you'd think I'd drank Irish whiskey at some point in my 65 years, but I hadn't before tonight. I used to be a scotch drinker when it came to whisky, though the only time I drank it in the last 5+ years were rare occasions in restaurants. However, tonight, while celebrating our 35th anniversary, tried Tullamore Dew. Oh my but that's nice. If I were still a regular whisky drinker, I'd jump on their band-wagon. Slightly sweet and slightly peaty. Didn't know Irish whiskey could be peaty. Is this true for all Irish whiskeys?
Question About Irish Whiskey
- Thread starter irishearl
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In general, not much or no peat in Irish. What you find is a very smooth, light malt flavor in Red Breast, Bushmills, etc. I think they are all pot-stilled too, leading to that clean, shiny sort of flavor profile. If your taste buds aren't burnt out from 2 cigars and a curry, it's excellent stuff, but it's not really heavy enough to compete with bigger flavors - Bourbon or a heavier scotch tend to be chosen against pipe smoke for that reason, I think. But whatever, it's enjoyable stuff and under-the-radar, which means it's also not crazy expensive most places.
Largest selling in the world last I heard. It's my whiskey of choice. I've never sensed a taste of peat though. Different palates I guess. I often light off a wee brick of peat in the ashtray when I drink it, just to enjoy the aroma of rural Ireland.
Edit: I prefer the "Black Barrel" but it's all good to me.
Edit: I prefer the "Black Barrel" but it's all good to me.
Most Irish whiskey has no noticeable peat in it. But a couple do (the most famous is probably Connemara).
You inspired me to go back to what's left of a bottle of Knappogue Castle 12 year I had sitting on the shelf for the last couple years. Lots of flavor, and some clear peatiness. But still quite mild.
Now, as I drink it, I am reading their website, and they expressly say, describing their process, "Famous for producing exceptionally smooth whiskey, malted barley is then dried in ovens without the use of peat."
So, I don't know what's going on. Maybe the flavor I always thought was peat is something else.
Either way, it's really good.
You inspired me to go back to what's left of a bottle of Knappogue Castle 12 year I had sitting on the shelf for the last couple years. Lots of flavor, and some clear peatiness. But still quite mild.
Now, as I drink it, I am reading their website, and they expressly say, describing their process, "Famous for producing exceptionally smooth whiskey, malted barley is then dried in ovens without the use of peat."
So, I don't know what's going on. Maybe the flavor I always thought was peat is something else.
Either way, it's really good.
Irish Whiskey is Rarely peated, but some are. Connemara is the most notable (and delicious) example that is, particularly their 12 year. If you are tasting smoke in irish whiskey it is likely a result of the barrel. Some distilleries (both scotch and irish) recycle used american bourbon barrels. The inner charring of the barrel may elicit some minor smokey taste.
I would also recommend Greenore for an unpeated excellent irish. And the only really good Jameson, the 15 year pure pot still. For barrel aged "scotchy" examples, although they more resemble speyside scotches due to the barrels they are aged in, try Tyrconnel's Sherry and Madeira barrel aged offerings. They are far superior to their mediocre flagship bottle.
If you do like a lightly smokey flavor, lowland scotches are very mildly peated. Try Glenkinchie and Auchentoshan for good examples. Scotches from NORTHERN Islay are also mildly peated, such as Bunnahabhain and Bruichladdich. Read up on those though, because those distilleries also have offerings that are peaty as hell, similar to their southern Islay neighbors. There is also Japanese whiskey, which is basically unpeated scotch. Yamazaki, Hakushu, Nikka, and Kirayoshi all make fine offerings.
I would also recommend Greenore for an unpeated excellent irish. And the only really good Jameson, the 15 year pure pot still. For barrel aged "scotchy" examples, although they more resemble speyside scotches due to the barrels they are aged in, try Tyrconnel's Sherry and Madeira barrel aged offerings. They are far superior to their mediocre flagship bottle.
If you do like a lightly smokey flavor, lowland scotches are very mildly peated. Try Glenkinchie and Auchentoshan for good examples. Scotches from NORTHERN Islay are also mildly peated, such as Bunnahabhain and Bruichladdich. Read up on those though, because those distilleries also have offerings that are peaty as hell, similar to their southern Islay neighbors. There is also Japanese whiskey, which is basically unpeated scotch. Yamazaki, Hakushu, Nikka, and Kirayoshi all make fine offerings.
The big notes I get from Irish whiskey is sweet and malty. Each brand is a bit different in it's own way, and that's not even counting the different batches and flavors they like to put out. I'm far from an expert, but I do enjoy a couple good drinks at the end of the day and I like to see where each bottle takes me, so to speak. Irish whiskey tends to be what I'm drinking when I'm being social for once, it just seems to get along well with most guys compared to scotch or rye or bourbon.
I can't remember the last time I had some Irish Whiskey, as I usually drink Scotch. But a couple of months ago we visited family in Texas and someone picked up a bottle of Proper Twelve Irish Whiskey. I'd never heard of it before, but after trying some I found I kind of liked it. When we got home I checked online for some info about it, and found Conner McGregor's name associated with it. I figured that probably just added to the cost of the bottle and had little to do with the product itself. The reviews I read were not very favorable overall, but all that I read didn't diminish my opinion of it. Not sure I'd buy a bottle of it, but it wasn't bad! Now, back to my Laphroiag....
I don't think Tullamore has peated malt -- maybe something in the flavor just suggested "peat" for some reason.
Bushmill's Single Malt (10 year, green bottle) is one of the best I've had -- it has the same basic flavor profile as other Irish Whiskeys, but more of it, and with a richer, fuller body. Not terribly expensive, either.
Bushmill's Single Malt (10 year, green bottle) is one of the best I've had -- it has the same basic flavor profile as other Irish Whiskeys, but more of it, and with a richer, fuller body. Not terribly expensive, either.
Irish whisky is a pleasing flavoring in some aro blends. I like Erin Go Braugh, a pouch blend, and others. I'm not much of a whisky (whiskey) drinker, but I found an ordinary Jameson pleasing, better than Bushmill for me, since like most Scotch, Bushmill irritated my plumbing. Otherwise, bourbon for me.
Of the Irish whiskies I generally have a bottle of Bushmill's Single Malt on hand. I was once given a bottle of Coleraine Whiskey by an Uncle; I think that was also produced by Bushmill's but other than the bottles my Uncle gave out one Christmas I've not seen hide nor hair of it anywhere.
However - and as an Irishman I will be in serious trouble for mentioning this - my favourite Whiskies are the Islay peated malts. I'm particularly fond of Laphroig and have several variations in my drinks cabinet.
However - and as an Irishman I will be in serious trouble for mentioning this - my favourite Whiskies are the Islay peated malts. I'm particularly fond of Laphroig and have several variations in my drinks cabinet.
Nothing wrong with that! I am lucky in the whiskey world. I am scotch-irish, born in America, North of Canada in "the last frontier". I'm allowed to love it all, whether its scotch, irish, bourbon, or Rye!
And I do love it all! Peaty southern Islays included. I'm a Bowmore and Ardbeg man myself, but Laphroaig makes some fine offerings as well.
If you like the peat, but want to stick to your roots grab the Connemara 12 year! A lovely peated irish. Not quote Laphroaig peaty, but peaty.
@alaskanpiper My late father would disagree; he was horrified when I first gave him some Laphroig when I lived in London and he was visiting. Still; it meant that I received a 'proper bottle of whiskey' (his words) for the next couple of Christmases.
Actually; it was probably just the Laphroig he was regaling against rather than all non-Irish whiskies.
Actually; it was probably just the Laphroig he was regaling against rather than all non-Irish whiskies.
Bushmill's Black Bush has been my favorite of late. Knappogue Castle is extremely smooth and subtle, and Powers (any bottle) has also been favored of late.
The only name you need to know in Irish whiskey is, Powers. That's what's in my glass in my signature picture.
I have only had the Powers Gold Label. I have a bottle of John Lane but have not opened it. Do you have a favorite, Unkleyoda?
I just had to pipe up and mention Green Spot Irish Whiskey. It's a pure pot still whiskey, and only a limited number of bottles are produced each year, making it one of the more elusive whiskeys on the market. Well worth the hunt!
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