A number of months ago Tourism Ireland hosted an online event and tasting, in which it showcased some of Ireland’s tastiest exports. We received a hamper of goodies from Taste Ireland (including Irish “shamrock” flavoured crisps, biscuits and tea) and four bottles of alcohol to try: Jameson Black Barrel, Bushmills Black Bush, Teeling BlackPitts, and Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin.
Continue reading “Tasting four Irish gems: Jameson Black Barrel, Bushmills Black Bush, Teeling BlackPitts, and Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin”Tag: irish
Tasting an almighty trinity from Teeling whiskey: Teeling 24 year old single malt, 17 year old single malt and Stout Cask
Three samples of the lastest limited release small batch Teeling whiskies from Ireland have made their way to maltmileage headquarters in Melbourne: Teeling 24 year old single malt, Teeling 17 year old single malt Jim Barry Shiraz Cask Collaboration, and Teeling whiskey stout cask collaboration with Galway Bay brewery. Now, with three whiskey glasses sitting ready, it is time to taste these whiskies from the Emerald Isle. Continue reading “Tasting an almighty trinity from Teeling whiskey: Teeling 24 year old single malt, 17 year old single malt and Stout Cask”
Hyde No. 6 (Cask Strength)
Type: Single malt whiskey
Origin: Ireland 🇨🇮
ABV: N/A (Cask strength)
Malt Mileage rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Hyde No. 4 Rum Finish
Hyde No 3 The Aras Cask Single Grain
Connemara Peated Single Malt Irish Whiskey
https://www.instagram.com/p/BWZ6phzlbha/
Type: Single malt whiskey
Origin: Ireland
ABV: 40%
Malt Mileage rating: 
Reaction: ☹ Continue reading “Connemara Peated Single Malt Irish Whiskey”
Bushmills 21 year old
Type: Single malt whiskey
Origin: Ireland
ABV: 40%
Malt Mileage rating: 
Reaction: 😀 Continue reading “Bushmills 21 year old”
Tullamore Dew 12 year old Special Reserve
Type: Blended whiskey
Origin: Ireland
ABV: 40%
Malt Mileage rating: 
Reaction: 😀
Continue reading “Tullamore Dew 12 year old Special Reserve”
Jameson Caskmates
Rating: ★★★★
Recommendation: Buy it
Type: Irish whiskey
Origin: Ireland
ABV: 40%
Reaction: 🙂
During the course of my whiskey journey I have made the acquaintance of a number of delicious drams, but few brands can boast the consistent quality and excellent value of Jameson.
An Irish whiskey, Jameson is distilled three times (as opposed to Scotch whisky, which tends to be distilled twice). This means that after Jameson distills its “wash” (similar to a strong beer made from malted and unmalted barley), it repeats the process twice; distilling the spirit two further times. This means that the spirit is likely to be smoother and cleaner than whisky which is distilled twice; depending of course on distillation cuts. That does not make it better, as fans of heavy Scotch malts will attest, just characteristically smooth and clean. This happens because the more a whisk(e)y is distilled, the more of the flavours from its raw materials (i.e: barley and that “beer” known as a “wash” in the industry) are stripped away. When Jameson finally finishes its three distillations, the spirit is very high and usually between 80 and 85% alcohol by volume.
Jameson add water to this nice clean spirit and reduce its alcohol volume to between 60 and 70% alcohol by volume. Then, this diluted spirit is placed into barrels; traditionally sherry butts, bourbon barrels and port pipes. This means that the spirit begins to become infused with flavours from the barrels as it ages in the barrels.
Caskmates adds an interesting twist to this method of whiskey making by maturing Jameson whiskey in Jameson barrels that have been seasoned with stout; that blackest of beers. So, in theory, this should add to the classic Jameson flavour profile notes of coffee, bitter hops and dark chocolate.
Nose:
Luscious layers of cream sit beneath powdery Turkish coffee, cocoa, port, sticky caramels and dark chocolate. The bouquet is sweet and inviting.
Taste:
Sweet sherry and port is followed by dark chocolate, alcohol preserved cherries and sweetened coffee. The mouth feel is rich and creamy. Butterscotch and caramel teases the palate.
Finish:
As the sweetness of the sherry and port fades, the taste of the stout emerges – heavy roasted coffee and cocoa notes, which are a seamless shift from the taste of the port, carry the bitter taste of hops; something lovers of India Pale Ale or hop rich beers will appreciate.
Bottom line:
Buy it. Jameson Caskmates combines two of my favourite things into one bottle: whiskey and hoppy beer. My taste buds detect lots of port and sherry, coffee, dark chocolate and hops. Mix Jameson Caskmates with your favourite beer, preferably hoppy, to make a delicious boilermaker or sip it neat. I cancelled my plans tonight; the allure of this Irish beauty and Netflix was too great.
Teeling Single Grain Irish Whiskey
Rating: ★★★
Type: Whiskey
Origin: Ireland
ABV: 46%
Reaction: 🙂
Teeling single grain Irish whiskey is made predominately from maize/corn and then distilled using column distillation. Once distilled it is fully matured in Californian Cabernet Sauvignon wine barrels, now that is something novel and interesting! I tip my hat to you, Teeling.
Nose:
On the nose there is lots of twisted orange peel, dusty corn flour, date scone, dried fig, spice and brown vinegar.
Taste:
On the palate the whiskey is very smooth and sweet, with the snap of sweet ethanol and a vodka-like pinch. The ethanols are a little more pronounced than what I like, but orange peel seems to be the central theme and it almost tastes like a whisky based cocktail with an orange citrus twist. Also find spice, pepper, wood, nutmeg and caramel.
Finish:
On the finish the wood lingers with hints of spice, yogurt coated cranberry, dried dates, anise seed, icy cold schnapps, and caramel.
Bottom line:
Buy it, if you want to try a single grain Irish whiskey that is smooth, sweet and quaffable. Teeling Single Grain Irish Whiskey seems to be dominated by the ethanol in the spirit, which gives the whiskey a vodka-like character that underpins much of the other flavours, but it went down a treat.
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