Review - Jameson Caskmates Stout Edition Irish Whiskey
The brainchild of Jameson's head distiller & Franciscan Well Brewery, the specific finishing in stout-seasoned casks adds chocolate and coffee undertones as well as a definite dark ale flavor
Rating 4 Glasses
- Distillery: John Jameson & Son Ltd
- Years Aged: NAS
- Proof: 80
- Local Price (USD): $34.95
- Availability: Widespread
- Local Price (USD): $34.95
Tasting Notes
- Color & Consistency: Golden honey, with thin legs
- Nose: Slightly hard to place. Definitely apples. Smells like a bakery mixed with Starbucks®, vanilla, powdered sugar, cocoa & coffee.
- Taste: Honey, malt and definitely oakey with a touch of ale on top.
- Finish: This one might be a bit of a stretch but just go with it.......Like someone cut the bark off of a crispy Chinese BBQ pork and soaked it in a glass of Jameson Original
Conclusion: Caskmates Stout Edition is just a great whiskey. The brainchild of Jameson's head distiller & Franciscan Well Brewery, the specific finishing in stout-seasoned casks adds chocolate and coffee undertones as well as a dark ale flavor. It is definitely worth the extra 5 bucks over Jameson Original to enjoy the experience.
Smoothest cask strength we've ever had. It was a great introduction to the brand and now we know why everyone has such high opinions of Redbreast. It's flippin' good (did I happen to mention the pancakes?). Great Irish for an over-proof lover and if we could find it again we would buy it just the same.
Like getting an allergy shot in the middle of summer and then, because you were such a good boy, stopping at a Tastee-Freez for a creamsicle. Smooth thanks to triple distillation but complex due to the different casks (Virgin, Seasoned & Sherry) used in maturation.
We loved 12 Year and this is a welcome step in the right direction. It's sweeter with more heat but retains all of the characteristics that we have come to love in a good Tullamore.
Its a pretty good Irish Single Pot Still Whiskey from Midleton but saying that it is fairly expensive for what you get is probably an understatement.
We’re split. Some said it’s better than the Caskmates Stout Edition and some said that we are crazy but one things for sure, the blend with the flavors and the aromas are spot on.
Yes, it's clean, smooth, refined and has all of the great things you would expect from an aged selection out of Ireland maybe 5-10 years ago, but with all of the good competition recently attacking this price point it really seems hard to justify the purchase.
This whiskey is aptly named as it has all the aspects of a traditional Irish Whiskey but rougher around the edges. For the price its OK and would definitely make for a good mixer. Just because of the backstory this would be a good conversation starter if brought to the party.
This is the whiskey you bring to a party because the price doesn't leave you broke and it won't embarrass you in front of your friends.
Quite the hit of aromas in the forefront but like its younger brethren fades quickly, opening to a world of Irish delight (which is like Turkish delight but much more boozy) with sweet caramel happiness and more intense sherry notes.
Review - The Quiet Man 8 Year Old Single Malt Irish Whiskey
...truly "unique" in nose and flavor profile compared to many Irish whiskeys we have sampled. A touch too funky for our taste but we would encourage you to pick up a bottle and try it for yourself.
Rating 2.5 Glasses
- Distillery: The Quiet Man Irish Whiskey Co. Ltd.
- Years Aged: 8
- Proof: 80
- Local Price (USD): $49.95
- Availability: Widespread
- Local Price (USD): $49.95
Tasting Notes
- Color & Consistency: Pale goldenrod with slowly developing legs
- Nose: Rubber cement, moth balls, dried fruit, vanilla & oak
- Taste: Reminds us of an old ladies house filled with potpourri and apricots
- Finish: Medicinal, vanilla & spice that lingers on the tongue
Conclusion: The Quiet Man 8 Year is truly "unique" in nose and flavor profile compared to many Irish whiskeys we have sampled. A touch too funky for our taste but we would encourage you to pick up a bottle and try it for yourself. Leave us a comment with what you think of this dram, share your new found knowledge with your friends and enjoy sampling the good life.
This one is unique in that it is the only Irish Peated Single Malt Whiskey widely available today. Connemara Original is perfect for those scotch lovers that would like something just a bit lighter to enjoy on a hot day or with light dinner. Pour a big glass and call it good as this is one you could sip on all evening.
Smoothest cask strength we've ever had. It was a great introduction to the brand and now we know why everyone has such high opinions of Redbreast. It's flippin' good (did I happen to mention the pancakes?). Great Irish for an over-proof lover and if we could find it again we would buy it just the same.
Like getting an allergy shot in the middle of summer and then, because you were such a good boy, stopping at a Tastee-Freez for a creamsicle. Smooth thanks to triple distillation but complex due to the different casks (Virgin, Seasoned & Sherry) used in maturation.
We loved 12 Year and this is a welcome step in the right direction. It's sweeter with more heat but retains all of the characteristics that we have come to love in a good Tullamore.
Its a pretty good Irish Single Pot Still Whiskey from Midleton but saying that it is fairly expensive for what you get is probably an understatement.
We’re split. Some said it’s better than the Caskmates Stout Edition and some said that we are crazy but one things for sure, the blend with the flavors and the aromas are spot on.
Yes, it's clean, smooth, refined and has all of the great things you would expect from an aged selection out of Ireland maybe 5-10 years ago, but with all of the good competition recently attacking this price point it really seems hard to justify the purchase.
This whiskey is aptly named as it has all the aspects of a traditional Irish Whiskey but rougher around the edges. For the price its OK and would definitely make for a good mixer. Just because of the backstory this would be a good conversation starter if brought to the party.
This is the whiskey you bring to a party because the price doesn't leave you broke and it won't embarrass you in front of your friends.
Quite the hit of aromas in the forefront but like its younger brethren fades quickly, opening to a world of Irish delight (which is like Turkish delight but much more boozy) with sweet caramel happiness and more intense sherry notes.
Review - Jameson The Cooper's Croze Irish Whiskey
While we would love to enjoy it again due to the extra depth of flavor and aromas it provides, the premium price tag is hard to justify.
Rating 3.5 Glasses
- Distillery: John Jameson & Son Ltd.
- Years Aged: NAS
- Proof: 86
- Local Price (USD): $69.95
- Availability: Uncommon
- Local Price (USD): $69.95
Tasting Notes
- Color & Consistency: Sun dried hay with thin dancing legs
- Nose: First hit brought us back to junior high all over again. Where the big mean 8th graders cornered you in the locker room, held you down & rubbed their stinky gym socks in your face. Luckily it transforms into light citrus & toffee, with a lingering floral aroma.
- Taste: Tastes nothing like it smells. Undeniably Jameson with a little more heat which adds to the depth with hints of vanilla & spice
- Finish: Chocolate, fruit & oak
Croze Plane - Photo Credit; Web
Conclusion: Cooper's Croze does exactly what it claims by showcasing how flavors can be influenced by the barrel. While we would love to enjoy it again due to the extra depth of flavor and aromas it provides , the premium price tag is hard to justify. For now we will leave it as a maybe and let you decide for yourself.
This one is unique in that it is the only Irish Peated Single Malt Whiskey widely available today. Connemara Original is perfect for those scotch lovers that would like something just a bit lighter to enjoy on a hot day or with light dinner. Pour a big glass and call it good as this is one you could sip on all evening.
Smoothest cask strength we've ever had. It was a great introduction to the brand and now we know why everyone has such high opinions of Redbreast. It's flippin' good (did I happen to mention the pancakes?). Great Irish for an over-proof lover and if we could find it again we would buy it just the same.
Like getting an allergy shot in the middle of summer and then, because you were such a good boy, stopping at a Tastee-Freez for a creamsicle. Smooth thanks to triple distillation but complex due to the different casks (Virgin, Seasoned & Sherry) used in maturation.
We loved 12 Year and this is a welcome step in the right direction. It's sweeter with more heat but retains all of the characteristics that we have come to love in a good Tullamore.
Its a pretty good Irish Single Pot Still Whiskey from Midleton but saying that it is fairly expensive for what you get is probably an understatement.
We’re split. Some said it’s better than the Caskmates Stout Edition and some said that we are crazy but one things for sure, the blend with the flavors and the aromas are spot on.
Yes, it's clean, smooth, refined and has all of the great things you would expect from an aged selection out of Ireland maybe 5-10 years ago, but with all of the good competition recently attacking this price point it really seems hard to justify the purchase.
This whiskey is aptly named as it has all the aspects of a traditional Irish Whiskey but rougher around the edges. For the price its OK and would definitely make for a good mixer. Just because of the backstory this would be a good conversation starter if brought to the party.
This is the whiskey you bring to a party because the price doesn't leave you broke and it won't embarrass you in front of your friends.
Quite the hit of aromas in the forefront but like its younger brethren fades quickly, opening to a world of Irish delight (which is like Turkish delight but much more boozy) with sweet caramel happiness and more intense sherry notes.
Review - Tullamore DEW Irish Whiskey
...the entire experience becomes quite pleasant and after many potentially deal-breaking initial reactions all of the Sidekicks eventually enjoyed this dram completely.
Rating 3.5 Glasses
- Distillery: William Grant & Sons Distillers Ltd.
- Years Aged: NAS
- Proof: 80
- Local Price (USD): $29.95
- Availability: Widespread
- Local Price (USD): $29.95
Tasting Notes
- Color & Consistency: Yellow with a hint of Leprechaun (green suit and all). Super thin with no visible legs. It actually beads up on the side of the glass
- Nose: Josh said it smells like non-aromatic petunias and the longer you keep your nose in it the less offensive it becomes... oh, and hints of toffee
- Taste: A lot better than we thought it would be. Nothing like the nose as it fades away to buttered popcorn jelly bellies, floral, toffee
- Finish: Very minor hints of sherry with a mild short finish, sweet
Conclusion: Very close to Jameson in its flavor, slightly sweeter with a broader profile overall and rumor has it that some of Midleton's distillate has made its way into this blend. Soon after tasting the nose completely dissipates, the entire experience becomes quite pleasant and after many potentially deal-breaking initial reactions all of the Sidekicks eventually enjoyed this dram completely. Although this may be a potentially sacrilegious comment, we think Jameson Original definitely has a contender at this price point in Tullamore DEW.
This one is unique in that it is the only Irish Peated Single Malt Whiskey widely available today. Connemara Original is perfect for those scotch lovers that would like something just a bit lighter to enjoy on a hot day or with light dinner. Pour a big glass and call it good as this is one you could sip on all evening.
Smoothest cask strength we've ever had. It was a great introduction to the brand and now we know why everyone has such high opinions of Redbreast. It's flippin' good (did I happen to mention the pancakes?). Great Irish for an over-proof lover and if we could find it again we would buy it just the same.
Like getting an allergy shot in the middle of summer and then, because you were such a good boy, stopping at a Tastee-Freez for a creamsicle. Smooth thanks to triple distillation but complex due to the different casks (Virgin, Seasoned & Sherry) used in maturation.
We loved 12 Year and this is a welcome step in the right direction. It's sweeter with more heat but retains all of the characteristics that we have come to love in a good Tullamore.
Its a pretty good Irish Single Pot Still Whiskey from Midleton but saying that it is fairly expensive for what you get is probably an understatement.
We’re split. Some said it’s better than the Caskmates Stout Edition and some said that we are crazy but one things for sure, the blend with the flavors and the aromas are spot on.
Yes, it's clean, smooth, refined and has all of the great things you would expect from an aged selection out of Ireland maybe 5-10 years ago, but with all of the good competition recently attacking this price point it really seems hard to justify the purchase.
This whiskey is aptly named as it has all the aspects of a traditional Irish Whiskey but rougher around the edges. For the price its OK and would definitely make for a good mixer. Just because of the backstory this would be a good conversation starter if brought to the party.
This is the whiskey you bring to a party because the price doesn't leave you broke and it won't embarrass you in front of your friends.
Quite the hit of aromas in the forefront but like its younger brethren fades quickly, opening to a world of Irish delight (which is like Turkish delight but much more boozy) with sweet caramel happiness and more intense sherry notes.
Review - Jameson Black Barrel Irish Whiskey
Being aged an average of 12 years it is significantly more diverse than Jameson Original or Caskmates but only a slight deviation from center...
Rating 4 Glasses
- Distillery: John Jameson & Sons Ltd
- Years Aged: NAS
- Proof: 80
- Local Price (USD): $39.95
- Availability: Widespread
- Local Price (USD): $39.95
Tasting Notes
- Color & Consistency: Thin and yellow like the villain from an old Spaghetti Western
- Nose: Slightly medicinal with hints of sherry and vanilla
- Taste: Vanilla & a little bit nutty with low heat but still very smooth.
- Finish: Short & sweet. Very bourbon-esque.
Conclusion: Taking the place of the very popular 12 year Select Reserve, Black Barrel fills the shoes well. Sweet, spicy & fruity notes appear throughout thanks to the pot still and grain whiskies hanging around in sherry casks & twice charred bourbon barrels (hence the name). Being aged an average of 12 years it is significantly more diverse than Jameson Original or Caskmates but stays true to its namesake.
This one is unique in that it is the only Irish Peated Single Malt Whiskey widely available today. Connemara Original is perfect for those scotch lovers that would like something just a bit lighter to enjoy on a hot day or with light dinner. Pour a big glass and call it good as this is one you could sip on all evening.
Smoothest cask strength we've ever had. It was a great introduction to the brand and now we know why everyone has such high opinions of Redbreast. It's flippin' good (did I happen to mention the pancakes?). Great Irish for an over-proof lover and if we could find it again we would buy it just the same.
Like getting an allergy shot in the middle of summer and then, because you were such a good boy, stopping at a Tastee-Freez for a creamsicle. Smooth thanks to triple distillation but complex due to the different casks (Virgin, Seasoned & Sherry) used in maturation.
We loved 12 Year and this is a welcome step in the right direction. It's sweeter with more heat but retains all of the characteristics that we have come to love in a good Tullamore.
Its a pretty good Irish Single Pot Still Whiskey from Midleton but saying that it is fairly expensive for what you get is probably an understatement.
We’re split. Some said it’s better than the Caskmates Stout Edition and some said that we are crazy but one things for sure, the blend with the flavors and the aromas are spot on.
Yes, it's clean, smooth, refined and has all of the great things you would expect from an aged selection out of Ireland maybe 5-10 years ago, but with all of the good competition recently attacking this price point it really seems hard to justify the purchase.
This whiskey is aptly named as it has all the aspects of a traditional Irish Whiskey but rougher around the edges. For the price its OK and would definitely make for a good mixer. Just because of the backstory this would be a good conversation starter if brought to the party.
This is the whiskey you bring to a party because the price doesn't leave you broke and it won't embarrass you in front of your friends.
Quite the hit of aromas in the forefront but like its younger brethren fades quickly, opening to a world of Irish delight (which is like Turkish delight but much more boozy) with sweet caramel happiness and more intense sherry notes.
This one is unique in that it is the only Irish Peated Single Malt Whiskey widely available today. Connemara Original is perfect for those scotch lovers that would like something just a bit lighter to enjoy on a hot day or with light dinner. Pour a big glass and call it good as this is one you could sip on all evening.