World of Whiskey
We've got several awesome grain to bottle distilleries here in Chicago. To name a few, well... FEW, Koval, and Quincy Street would have to be my favorites. I did see that article maden. I strive to stear clear of that fudge.
I should start by saying that I really wanted to like Irish whiskey. I've tried quite a few and I gotta admit that I'm generally not a fan.hellosir wrote:Redbreast!wizdom wrote:Birthday haul
How do you think that compares to the other fancy stuff in here?
Redbreast is the exception. IMO, it's right there with high end scotches. And even better than the reg redbreast is the cask strength variant.
On the other hand, if you like traditional Irish whiskies and don't like scotches, this may be one to stay away from.
I can understand not wanting to spend money on it (although it is usually rather inexpensive), but how can you not like it? It is the most inoffensive booze I can think of at 80 proof... Smooth to a fault in that most think that it is just boring.mtarail wrote: I should start by saying that I really wanted to like Irish whiskey. I've tried quite a few and I gotta admit that I'm generally not a fan.
Not a fan, but I wouldn't say that I downright don't like it. It is smooth. But generally I'm looking for flavor first and foremost, not smoothness. That's how you got me interested in Laphroiag in the first place, cadeallaw!cadeallaw wrote:I can understand not wanting to spend money on it (although it is usually rather inexpensive), but how can you not like it? It is the most inoffensive booze I can think of at 80 proof... Smooth to a fault in that most think that it is just boring.mtarail wrote: I should start by saying that I really wanted to like Irish whiskey. I've tried quite a few and I gotta admit that I'm generally not a fan.
I heard one critic say that the biggest taste difference between scotch and Irish whiskey is in the back of the mouth and throat. When you drink a scotch (or a decent bourbon), you can taste some depth or weight as you're drinking. (Which I personally like.) Whereas with most Irish whiskies, they are very light.
I assume that comes from the fact that Irish whiskies are typically triple distilled. And if you check out the Redbreast review by Ralfy, there's a spot where he mentions triple distillation in Irish whiskies, and that he was not sure that Redbreast was triple distilled. Redbreast tastes very different to me than any other Irish I've tried.
At the end of the day, I'd generally prefer to drop $ on bourbon or scotch than Irish whiskey's, (with Redbreast being the exception that I always have a bottle of.) Entry level Irish whiskies are cheap, but you can get plenty of good bourbons for $20-$30 bucks--Old Grand Dad 114 is awesome, Russell's Reserve, Evan Williams single barrel, etc.
Even the high end triple distilled Irish whiskey's, (for example, Powers Johns Lane) did not do much for me, and at $50, there are a lot of great bourbons and scotches out there.
Yeah, Laphroaig and Irish Whiskey are definitely two different animals... although Connemara has a "Peated" Irish Whiskey I would like to try if i could ever find it. I like Redbreast, and will have a glass whenever I find myself at an Irish Pub... however I can never see myself buying a bottle of it for $60-$65 dollars... For that money, i'm buying the Laphroaig cask strength. In my home bar, I have a bottle of the Bushmills white ($21) and the Bushmills Black Bush ($35) and those two fulfill all of my Irish Whiskey needs and don't break the bank doing it. Speaking of whiskey prices- bourbon prices have gone up a buck or two a bottle on just about everything in the past yearmtarail wrote: Not a fan, but I wouldn't say that I downright don't like it. It is smooth. But generally I'm looking for flavor first and foremost, not smoothness. That's how you got me interested in Laphroiag in the first place, cadeallaw!
I heard one critic say that the biggest taste difference between scotch and Irish whiskey is in the back of the mouth and throat. When you drink a scotch (or a decent bourbon), you can taste some depth or weight as you're drinking. (Which I personally like.) Whereas with most Irish whiskies, they are very light.
I assume that comes from the fact that Irish whiskies are typically triple distilled. And if you check out the Redbreast review by Ralfy, there's a spot where he mentions triple distillation in Irish whiskies, and that he was not sure that Redbreast was triple distilled. Redbreast tastes very different to me than any other Irish I've tried.
At the end of the day, I'd generally prefer to drop $ on bourbon or scotch than Irish whiskey's, (with Redbreast being the exception that I always have a bottle of.) Entry level Irish whiskies are cheap, but you can get plenty of good bourbons for $20-$30 bucks--Old Grand Dad 114 is awesome, Russell's Reserve, Evan Williams single barrel, etc.
Even the high end triple distilled Irish whiskey's, (for example, Powers Johns Lane) did not do much for me, and at $50, there are a lot of great bourbons and scotches out there.
whereas Scotch (and Irish) prices seems to have stayed put. Not that a buck or two increase is a deal breaker, but I do find it to be a pretty significant price hike within a short period of time.Fun Fact: Redbreast 12 yr seems to be the preferred whiskey of hipsters... not sure why or how that came about.
I've mentioned it before but if you're feeling adventurous and Irish try the single malt Knappogue Castle. They release vintage bottlings as well as 12, 14, & 16 year old varieties. I've enjoyed everything I've tried so far.
just a foil for me today, thanks
Just picked up a bottle of Willett 2 year rye. Hoping it's good!
It's the first Willett rye that the business has made themselves in a long time. Distilled, aged, and bottled on their site in Bardstown, Ky. Even though the stuff they were previously selling under their name was sourced hooch from MGP, it was really good.
It's the first Willett rye that the business has made themselves in a long time. Distilled, aged, and bottled on their site in Bardstown, Ky. Even though the stuff they were previously selling under their name was sourced hooch from MGP, it was really good.
Sounds interesting... Keep me posted.mtarail wrote:Just picked up a bottle of Willett 2 year rye. Hoping it's good!
It's the first Willett rye that the business has made themselves in a long time. Distilled, aged, and bottled on their site in Bardstown, Ky. Even though the stuff they were previously selling under their name was sourced hooch from MGP, it was really good.
Will also keep eyes peeled for knoppogue castle, Irish seems to be kind of limited here though
^Never had it but it got a great write up this year at drinkhacker-
http://www.drinkhacker.com/2014/03/11/r ... thenticus/
"Heavily peated" is definitely intriguing
http://www.drinkhacker.com/2014/03/11/r ... thenticus/
"Heavily peated" is definitely intriguing
