I'm going to Ireland in August for my 25th anniversary and want to bring back some whiskey that we can't get back here in the states. So, what say the forum? I'm a big Jameson fan for the record.

Well, lucky you.

I'd hit all I could and there are bunch of great distilleries.

Not sure what is rare that you can't get here but I love Irish Whiskeys and several on my shelf.

Sounds great.

Visit the Rock of Cashel and Killarney on the way to Midleton. There is at least one, maybe two whiskeys available only at the distillery. It’s a cool place, enjoy yourself.

I should say we are going on a guided tour so I'm not sure if I'll be able to get away to far away distilleries.

I enjoyed Jamison tour. Do some YouTube searching before you go. Personal preference is everything. Me, I really like the Teelings. Some reviews of Green and Yellow Spot have me ready to try them. Thread drift but my next tour of Ireland is going to be focused on finding cool OLD pubs. Beautiful country.

Jamisons had some "Distillery Reserve" at their distillery when I was there. Not sold anywhere else. If memory serves me it was older and finished in sherry casks. Very good.

quote:

Originally posted by Killer:
I should say we are going on a guided tour so I'm not sure if I'll be able to get away to far away distilleries.

Our guided tour gave us a free day in Dublin. There's a bus route that will take you by a lot of cool stuff including the Jamison tour. BIL and I jumped off near a college and found an old pub. Have the coaster at home but think it was O'Donnell's. Established like 1760 or something.

As I said above, next tour would focus on old pubs. We strayed away from our tour a couple of times to pubs. Genuine conversations with locals. Very fun.

Others will chime in. I know little of Irish Whiskey, but I know I really enjoyed Redbreast when given the chance.

How do you plan on getting it back home?

Do the Jameson distillery tour either in Dublin or Middleton. At the end of the tour buy a glass of Middleton rare and a glass of the white label Distillery Reserve and compare. You will find that they are very similar. Then stock up on the Distillery Reserve and save about €100 per bottle over the Middleton Rare.
Also go to Mitchell’s on Kildare St. in Dublin and try both the Green and Yellow Spot whiskeys.
Other than that there are lots of new smaller distilleries opening up - some products are excellent, some less so.
Also, when your in Dublin check out Fox’s tobacconists on College Green who often have tastings.

quote:

Originally posted by sigalert:
How do you plan on getting it back home?

In my checked bag wrapped in bubble wrap.

quote:

Originally posted by Powers77:
Jamisons had some "Distillery Reserve" at their distillery when I was there. Not sold anywhere else. If memory serves me it was older and finished in sherry casks. Very good.

We're doing the Jameson tour and I'll be looking for that "Distillery Reserve."

Not a Jameson (their standard stuff) but I do like their new Caskmate stout version...the original seems harsh and burns..it has always seemed to me to be marketed toward marines on liberty

I like Tulamore.

quote:

Originally posted by TMats:
Visit the Rock of Cashel and Killarney on the way to Midleton. There is at least one, maybe two whiskeys available only at the distillery. It’s a cool place, enjoy yourself.

Perfect. That is what I’m doing June 30. We go to Dublin June 26, spend a few days, and I’ll be on the 2:30 pm tour at Middleton (already booked). Then down to Cork, Kerry, and up to Ashford Castle.

Distillery Reserve sounds like a great plan. I was thinking of some rare Redbreast type, but better yet to have an “unavailable anywhere else” ...

that Stout Caskmate is delicious,

quote:

Originally posted by MikeinNC:
Not a Jameson (their standard stuff) but I do like their new Caskmate stout version...the original seems harsh and burns..it has always seemed to me to be marketed toward marines on liberty

I like Tulamore.

Damn straight that it is delicious. There is an Ontario Canada edition. May be something like that in Eire, good luck on your quest and enjoy.

quote:

Originally posted by lyman:
that Stout Caskmate is delicious,

quote:

Originally posted by MikeinNC:
Not a Jameson (their standard stuff) but I do like their new Caskmate stout version...the original seems harsh and burns..it has always seemed to me to be marketed toward marines on liberty

I like Tulamore.

I did the Jameson tour and premium tasting yesterday. I talked to the tour guide about his favorite, waxing on about my preference for Redbreast 12 year. He gave me a taste of his favorite. I’m bringing home a bottle of it:

Green Spot Château Montelena, 46% ABV, matured in traditional sherry and bourbon casks and then finished for 12 months in French Oak Zinfandel wine casks from Château Montelena in the Napa Valley.

And I’ll probably go shopping again on duty free before flying home

This message has been edited. Last edited by: feersum dreadnaught,

I don't know whiskey very well, but my wife brought me back some Prizefight whiskey from her Ireland trip last Summer. It tastes pretty darn good to my palate.