What Whisky/Whiskey are we drinking this month?

Cazale

lawrencesummers wrote:

I reckon that lad wasn’t accused of sobriety in a long time

Whisky Jason is a sound lad. He probably has the best selection of Irish Whiskey reviews on YouTube. Can't pronounce Irish names or places for ****e though!

the beer revolu

Why are so many whiskey drinkers so preoccupied by age statements?

People judging whiskeys that they haven't Tasted based on age! "I haven't tasted it but it's not worth it!"

People begging IDL to take stupid amounts of money from them for tiny bottles of 27 or 30 year old liquid. Literally entering lotteries for the privilege.

There is more to whisky than age. It's just one of many factors that make a whiskey what it is.

Black Sheep

I think with lotteries and similar you probably want to enjoy the arcane nature of the process itself to get the most out of it.

Agree on age statements in general, they are not irrelevant but not the be all and end all.

If you know the distillery then of course you know that a Glenmorangie 10 is a fine whisky but a Glenmorangie 18 is sublime... But if you don't know what you're buying then it's harder to be certain of that, or to compare between distilleries. I have had 18 and 24 year old whiskies from pedestrian distilleries which are blown out of the water by non age statement or younger whiskies from better producers.

And there will be older whiskies which have been aged for so long and cask finished because they started out as duds... It was an attempt at retrieving them or making them interesting. I had a Glenrothes which was a disappointment to the distiller after an initial maturation so they tried a special finish and a further period of maturation to try to improve it. It was still so-so.

On the whole I would be as quick to buy a Compass Box as a whisky with a statement of the age, depending on the distillery.

I know some beer drinkers who have a similar hangup about ABV and price. If there is a "4 for 10" offer, they will only buy the highest ABV options available, as to buy something weaker represents "bad value". Each to their own but fundamentally there is a point where people should drink what they enjoy and be less concerned about price, age and ABV.

Black Sheep

Fathers' day today and I can always count on my wife to get me a nice whisky.

Whistlepig 12 year old rye ... Old World Cask Finish... 43% ABV.

63% madeira finish, 20% French sauternes finish and 7% port finish.

Haven't tried it yet (Obviously... It's 1056... Need to wait until at least 5pm).

I found it slightly hair-raising that the way she appears to have approached the order is to order from Master of Malt and get it delivered to Parcel Motel in NI. I'm pretty sure this is again policy for them and it could easily have been sent back. Does anyone else do this? If everyone is doing it and Parcel Motel are OK with it then I would be likely to try it again myself on a future order.

lawrencesummers

Black Sheep wrote: »

Fathers' day today and I can always count on my wife to get me a nice whisky.

Whistlepig 12 year old rye ... Old World Cask Finish... 43% ABV.

63% madeira finish, 20% French sauternes finish and 7% port finish.

Haven't tried it yet (Obviously... It's 1056... Need to wait until at least 5pm).

I found it slightly hair-raising that the way she appears to have approached the order is to order from Master of Malt and get it delivered to Parcel Motel in NI. I'm pretty sure this is again policy for them and it could easily have been sent back. Does anyone else do this? If everyone is doing it and Parcel Motel are OK with it then I would be likely to try it again myself on a future order.

I’ve had a bottle delivered through it, and have a few Waterford bottles coming that way as well. No sure on the customs arrangements, going to plead ignorance if anyone says anything as it’s not for resale, just personal consumption.

Rew

Black Sheep wrote: »

I found it slightly hair-raising that the way she appears to have approached the order is to order from Master of Malt and get it delivered to Parcel Motel in NI. I'm pretty sure this is again policy for them and it could easily have been sent back. Does anyone else do this? If everyone is doing it and Parcel Motel are OK with it then I would be likely to try it again myself on a future order.

Parcel Motel do sometimes catch on and hand the bottle to revenue FYI can be a real pain sorting it

Black Sheep

Rew wrote: »

Parcel Motel do sometimes catch on and hand the bottle to revenue FYI can be a real pain sorting it

Good to know... I won't try this then. Not worth the hassle of dealing with Revenue.

odyssey06

Couple of new tastings up from L Mulligans for weekend of 3rd and 4th July.
Tipperary cask strength and one on bourbon.

http://www.lmulliganwhiskeyshop.com/category-s/125.htm

Enjoyed the first Tipperary tasting but I dont know much about Bourbon and the 4th July seems a good time to learn so opted for that one.

beardybrewer

Being July 4td I also signed up for the American whiskey one as I know almost nothing about it other than Jack and a bottle of Woodford Reserve I was gifted once. Is American whiskey always called bourbon or is it a particular style and they do traditional whiskey too?

The Tipperary Cask one sold out the first night. Big selection of ages of cask strength reserves have been a great one for a fan and was likely space limited as no doubt those bottles were worth a fair bit.


Anyone else sign on to their Distilled whiskey festival? Haven't received anything but it's still a good while away (July)

odyssey06

beardybrewer wrote: »

Being July 4td I also signed up for the American whiskey one as I know almost nothing about it other than Jack and a bottle of Woodford Reserve I was gifted once. Is American whiskey always called bourbon or is it a particular style and they do traditional whiskey too?

Anyone else sign on to their Distilled whiskey festival? Haven't received anything but it's still a good while away (July)

Signed up for the bourbon one also. No, not all American whiskey is bourbon.
There's a lot of new distilleries focusing on single malts and they don't label themselves as bourbon afaik. Haven't tasted any yet, don't think they are travelling across the Atlantic much yet.
There's also Tennesse whiskey such as Jack Daniels or George Dickel, which is bourbon taken a step further:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincoln_County_Process

Plus there is also rye whiskey such as Bulleit rye or Sazerac rye, which are really worth checking out.

Signed up for the Distilled festival.. I knew there was something I was doing that weekend but clean forgot what! Haven't received any samples yet.

Cazale

Tipperary one sold out in a few minutes. I'd like to do the American tasting but the Dingle deconstruction tasting is on the same day.

Blanton’s, Eagle Rare, Rebel Yell and Colonel E.H Taylor are some of the whiskeys being tasted.

Cazale

Hogzy wrote:

Waterford is back on sale now on Celtic Whiskey Shop. Buy it quick before it 'sells out'

From Mark Reyneire:

More Waterford will be on its way soon - we're bottling again next week. We’re told by distributors they has never been such demand for a new launch whisky.

killbillvol2

Cazale wrote: »

From Mark Reyneire:

More Waterford will be on its way soon - we're bottling again next week. We’re told by distributors they has never been such demand for a new launch whisky.

Mine was delivered tonight.

Cazale

beardybrewer wrote:

Anyone else sign on to their Distilled whiskey festival? Haven't received anything but it's still a good while away (July)

For those interested in the Distilled festival here is what you get. 14 whiskeys and 1 cocktail.

A whiskey cocktail from Bar 1661

Nine ‘Festival Pours’ from:

WD O'Connell
DWD
Velvet Cap
Roe & Co
Tipperary
Dublin Liberties
Redbreast
The Currach
Talisker 

A choice of two whiskeys and a masterclass from one of the following:

4pm Masterclasses
Hinch Whiskey
Method and Madness
Powers
Glendalough
Connemara
Highland Park

A choice of two whiskeys and a masterclass from one of the following:

6pm Masterclasses
Greenspot
Dublin Liberties
Lambay
Roe & Co
Bowmore
Pearse Lyons
Chocolate & Whiskey

A Festival Dream Dram which is a single cask and cask strength whisky from Highland Park.



3.00-3.40pm Drink it or keep it?
4.00-4.40pm Masterclasses
5.00-5.40pm Our imagined whiskey past: The invention of ‘authenticity’ in Irish whiskey. 
6.00-6.40pm Masterclasses
7.00-7.40pm Future of Irish Whiskey

mooseknunkle

killbillvol2 wrote: »

Mine was delivered tonight.

Did you buy it from Celtic Whiskey Shop on Saturday evening when it was posted here?,i did and still no sign of it,Ardkeen stores had it in stock this evening and was sold out soon after.

artanevilla

Signed up to American Whiskey tasting and whiskey festival...

On American Whiskey I recently picked up a bottle of Rittenhouse 100 Proof Rye, similar to bourbon, very very smooth despite being 50% ABV.

Apollinaris

mooseknunkle wrote: »

Did you buy it from Celtic Whiskey Shop on Saturday evening when it was posted here?,i did and still no sign of it,Ardkeen stores had it in stock this evening and was sold out soon after.

I haven’t got it either. I find them very slow shop/auction deliveries always so I’m not surprised at all.

..

Cazale

Cazale wrote:

The Currach

Anyone try this yet? It's whiskey finished in seaweed charred casks.

Apollinaris

Cazale wrote: »

Anyone try this yet? It's whiskey finished in seaweed charred casks.

I’ve seen it, haven’t tried it but I’m intrigued!

killbillvol2

mooseknunkle wrote: »

Did you buy it from Celtic Whiskey Shop on Saturday evening when it was posted here?,i did and still no sign of it,Ardkeen stores had it in stock this evening and was sold out soon after.

Ordered from Celtic Whiskey Shop Saturday. No communication since and then a phone call at 6 to ask if I was home. Delivered by one of the guys from the shop at 7. In Dublin obviously.

So I opened the Ballykilcalvan and I'm very impressed. I'm not going to bull**** people with tasting notes but it's very much to my taste. Quite sweet on the nose and a light, sweetish taste too. (That's as far as I'm going to push my descriptive writing). In short, I really like it and the bottle won't last long.

I'll probably open the Bannow tomorrow and report back.

Mellor

Cazale wrote: »

We’re told by distributors they has never been such demand for a new launch whisky.

Instagram Marketing 101.

Release small batches, sell out and create demand, release a new version.
Variety is good.

The Nal

Makers Mark. Haven't had it in a while. Forgot how good it is.

This was last night, not this morning.

Rew

Mellor wrote: »

Instagram Marketing 101.

Release small batches, sell out and create demand, release a new version.
Variety is good.

it was 18,000 bottles between all 3 wasn't it?

Hogzy

Mellor wrote: »

Instagram Marketing 101.

Release small batches, sell out and create demand, release a new version.
Variety is good.

Exactly! All of a sudden the Distillery has the ability to bottle more of the Ballykilcavan and the Bannow Island after the first release sold out. So the initial claim of 8,000 bottles was total BS.

Its a bit ridiculous to be honest and I feel somewhat conned because the high price of the single malt was somewhat off set by the rarity (not that 8,000 bottles is rare). But if the true number is upwards of 12,000 of the bannow island and the ballykilcavan then we've been had!!!

Very sour taste in my mouth now!

killbillvol2 wrote: »

Ordered from Celtic Whiskey Shop Saturday. No communication since and then a phone call at 6 to ask if I was home. Delivered by one of the guys from the shop at 7. In Dublin obviously.

So I opened the Ballykilcalvan and I'm very impressed. I'm not going to bull**** people with tasting notes but it's very much to my taste. Quite sweet on the nose and a light, sweetish taste too. (That's as far as I'm going to push my descriptive writing). In short, I really like it and the bottle won't last long.

I'll probably open the Bannow tomorrow and report back.

CWS are sending out emails saying that they cant fulfill all orders of the Waterford first and second releases. Hopefully you dont get that email but theyre offering two bottles of Ratheadon instead to those affected customers.

Rew

Ballykilcavan: Edition 1.1 is 8,640 bottles
Ratheadon: Edition 1.1 is 2,020 bottles
Bannow Island: Edition 1.1 is 8,616 bottles
Pilgrimage is 1,500 bottles

This wasn't a particularly limited release. It wasn't particularly hyped prior to release either, they sent out tasting some kits of which Ive only seen 2 reviews.

Nowhere have I seen them say they are bottling 1.2 (or more 1.1) releases yet. What they have said is they are redirecting an SFO that was going over seas back to Ireland.

Hogzy

Rew wrote: »

Ballykilcavan: Edition 1.1 is 8,640 bottles
Ratheadon: Edition 1.1 is 2,020 bottles
Bannow Island: Edition 1.1 is 8,616 bottles
Pilgrimage is 1,500 bottles

This wasn't a particularly limited release. It wasn't particularly hyped prior to release either, they sent out tasting some kits of which Ive only seen 2 reviews.

Nowhere have I seen them say they are bottling 1.2 (or more 1.1) releases yet. What they have said is they are redirecting an SFO that was going over seas back to Ireland.

The founder Mark Reynier said it on his twitter. This is in addition to his tweet about redirecting the order which was after the below tweet.

Rew

Hogzy wrote: »

The master distller Mark Reynier said it on his twitter. This is in addition to his tweet about redirecting the order which was after the below tweet.

All that said is they are bottling more whiskey does not say its more of the existing releases. I'd imagine they are bottling the SFO they are redirecting.

Rew

Hogzy wrote: »

CWS are sending out emails saying that they cant fulfill all orders of the Waterford first and second releases. Hopefully you dont get that email but theyre offering two bottles of Ratheadon instead to those affected customers.

From my limited dealings with them I feel like they over sell their stock sometimes. Seen others commenting about it also.

odyssey06

I see Dick Mack's have Waterford Bannow & Ballykilcavan 1.1 50mls for sale but at €13.50 a pop (plus delivery).
I think I'll pass at those prices though.
https://www.dickmackspub.com/product/1205/

Rew

Hogzy wrote: »

The master distller Mark Reynier

He's not BTW, he is the founder, Waterford don't have any titled Master distiller. Ned Gahan is the closest thing, he's Head Distiller.

Rew

odyssey06 wrote: »

I see Dick Mack's have Waterford Bannow & Ballykilcavan 1.1 50mls for sale but at €13.50 a pop (plus delivery).
I think I'll pass at those prices though.
https://www.dickmackspub.com/product/1205/

I bought 100ml of the 3 for €50 from Revolution in Waterford.

Hogzy

Rew wrote: »

He's not BTW, he is the founder, Waterford don't have any titled Master distiller. Ned Gahan is the closest thing, he's Head Distiller.

Right, judging by the responses above you know more than me! :rolleyes:

Cazale

Dingle batch 5 deconstruction set arrived today.

Cazale

Cazale wrote: »

Dingle batch 5 deconstruction set arrived today.

Three Drams looks like it could be a great tasting club. Launching in November they will deliver three whiskeys each month. Sign me up!

odyssey06

Cazale wrote: »

Three Drams looks like it could be a great tasting club. Launching in November they will deliver three whiskeys each month. Sign me up!

Bump this thread when signup opens... maybe we can setup a refer a friend chain if thats a thing!

GY A1

Anyone try the west cork trio in lidl

killbillvol2

Hogzy wrote: »

CWS are sending out emails saying that they cant fulfill all orders of the Waterford first and second releases. Hopefully you dont get that email but theyre offering two bottles of Ratheadon instead to those affected customers.

Well I won't get the email as they've delivered the whiskey. One of the staff handed it to me at my front door last night. He did say I was lucky to get it so I could believe that they're having stock issues. Not unusual with them.

Cazale

Comparing some Midleton tonight. The one on the left is Barry Crockett Legacy and the one on the right is Midleton Very Rare 2017. Both stunning whiskeys. The very rare has 32-year-old grain whiskey and 26-year-old single pot still as part of the blend. I'm struggling to pick a winner. Luckily I have a bottle of both to compare again.

killbillvol2

killbillvol2 wrote: »

I'll probably open the Bannow tomorrow and report back.

Opened the Bannow tonight. Another thumbs up. Hard to compare them 24 hours apart though so a side by side tasting will be required at the weekend. Both dangerously drinkable though.

But first, the the Boann tasting tomorrow night. Looking forward to it.

ZV Yoda

Cazale wrote: »

Comparing some Midleton tonight. The one on the left is Barry Crockett Legacy and the one on the right is Midleton Very Rare 2017. Both stunning whiskeys. The very rare has 32-year-old grain whiskey and 26-year-old single pot still as part of the blend. I'm struggling to pick a winner. Luckily I have a bottle of both to compare again.

Interesting. Does MVR vary much year on year? I’ve only owned 2 bottles - currently a 2018, and previously a 2002 back in 2003.

I had a glass of the 2018 earlier. I find it quite bland. I seem to remember the 2002 was a lot more enjoyable.

I have a bottle of Bushmills 21 and I’d have that over the MVR every time.

Rew

killbillvol2 wrote: »

Opened the Bannow tonight. Another thumbs up. Hard to compare them 24 hours apart though so a side by side tasting will be required at the weekend. Both dangerously drinkable though.

But first, the the Boann tasting tomorrow night. Looking forward to it.

Early next week before I get mine Bannow seems to be the pick for most. Will be very interesting to put all 4 beside each other in another couple of weeks.

There are 4 bottlings going to the US in Sept (possibly one of those being diverted back to Ireland though).

Id say anyone collecting is already thinking of packing it in.

mik_da_man

Rew wrote: »

Early next week before I get mine Bannow seems to be the pick for most. Will be very interesting to put all 4 beside each other in another couple of weeks.

There are 4 bottlings going to the US in Sept (possibly one of those being diverted back to Ireland though).

Id say anyone collecting is already thinking of packing it in.

Yeah, it was said at the start "Best of luck to anyone who wants to collect all of them"
Lots of different ones this year, possibly up to 16 some exclusive to different global markets. Not an easy collection to fill.

irish_goat

killbillvol2 wrote: »

But first, the the Boann tasting tomorrow night. Looking forward to it.

On that as well. Keen to try the calvados cask. Got me wondering why we don't have more apple distillation going on in Ireland. Longueville House the only one I know of and that's fairly new.

killbillvol2

mik_da_man wrote: »

Yeah, it was said at the start "Best of luck to anyone who wants to collect all of them"
Lots of different ones this year, possibly up to 16 some exclusive to different global markets. Not an easy collection to fill.

Luckily I don't have the discipline (or space) to collect whiskey and not drink it. I managed to wait a full hour before I cracked open the first bottle on Wednesday nght!

BeerNut

irish_goat wrote: »

Got me wondering why we don't have more apple distillation going on in Ireland.

I reckon for most cider producers, the cider is a sideline: they're primarily apple farmers. Distilling would be a sideline of a sideline, and extra red tape.

Effects

I guess we don't really have a tradition of Calvados/distilled cider here in Ireland.
I made 100 litres of cider last year, of which I put aside 80 to get distilled at some stage.
Still working on getting a small barrel to age it, but might have one brought over from France and get it resized here to suit.

Effects

irish_goat wrote: »

Longueville House the only one I know of and that's fairly new.

These guys do something similar, although not sure if they distill is themselves.

Effects

I picked up a bottle of Waterford Ratheadon on Wednesday at Drink Store in Stoneybatter.
Keeping it for a special occasion. Which is this Monday or Tuesday.

the beer revolu

irish_goat wrote: »

On that as well. Keen to try the calvados cask. Got me wondering why we don't have more apple distillation going on in Ireland. Longueville House the only one I know of and that's fairly new.

Longville house have been doing this for years - I first tasted it back in around 2001.

We, at Blackwater Distillery have a cask of apple brandy maturing. There should be a limited, single cask release later this year. We distilled Legacy cider.

Why isn't it more common?
Well, producing cider is expensive and, unlike microbrewers, cider producers can't avail of lower duty rates.
Most cider producers don't have distilling facilities or permissions. The only two I know of are Longuevill House in Cork and Highbank Orchard in Kilkenny.
For distillers to buy in finished cider and distil, it works out very expensive.
There is no tradition of people paying premium prices for Irish apple brandy - it's a hard sell.

We did it more as an experiment and a bit of fun rather than a commercial venture..