Irish Whiskey - 15th November - 7pm (GMT)

[lohssanami]

Maybe Ryguy, ganga, lohssanami, and I should schedule a mini tasting so that we can finish out thie thread with additional notes.

Cheers,

Yes indeed, most definitely, we'll get together to finish this one out. Sorry lohssanami, I didn't mean to forget about you!!

No worries Ryan! After being out of town for 8 days, making up for lost time at the office and now Thanksgiving here, I'm about caught up.

I still have my samples to go through, and I started with a Greenore 8 tonight.

I'm a bit mystified as to how to describe this one.

Nose: Not much here, but as I swirl it around in the glass, I get a bit of a sweet woody aroma. Very feint citrus notes and a hint of vanilla.

Palate: Very watery taste at first, but as it sits on the tongue, it gets a tad spicy. I almost taste plain peanuts...weird.

Finish: Fairly short and unremarkable. Dry and without much flavor...maybe a little lemon.

I'm a bit indifferent on this one. I don't dislike it, but I'm not excited about it. It was a pleaure to try though...thanks for the sample. Either ryguy or ganga sent this one.

[Ryguy]

Last night I tasted a few of the Irish samples I had kicking around while watching some TV. Here are my notes.

Redbreast 12yo

Glass: SMWS glass

Nose: Fruity with a bit of honey.

Palate: Sweet and creamy, with some vanilla, fruits, sherry as well.

Finish: Sweet yet spicey, long and tasty.

A very good dram, this one has really grown on me. I'd love to try the 15yo some day.



Middleton Very Rare 2007

Glass: SMWS glass

Nose: Some light fruits, spice, hint of vanilla.

Palate: Very sweet and tasty, it's light with hints of nuts, malt and lots of honey.

Finish: Long finish, more wood, it becomes drying as it goes on.

Many thanks to Jobi for this sample!



Middleton Very Rare 2005

Glass: SMWS glass

Nose: Some light fruits (pears) and spice.

Palate: Really sweet and tasty stuff, honey-like fruits and a bit creamy.

Finish: Long finish, more wood, it becomes drying as it goes on.

Thanks to UUNetBill for this sample!!



Bushmills 1608

Glass: SMWS glass

Nose: Fruity and light malt, a bit spicey.

Palate: Grainy, light sherry sweetness, some nuts (almonds).

Finish: Long, rough (not in a bad way though), and even a bit 'dirty'.

Thanks again Jobi for the sample!!



Connemara Cask Strength 57.8%

Glass: SMWS glass

Nose: A hint of vanilla with leather and burnt wood in the background

Palate: Really sweet to start, oak, liquorice, some pepper and wood ash.

Finish: Nice woody smokiness to this one, fairly long finish as well.

Very tasty dram, it seemed to get better as I went along. Thanks again to lohssanami and Jobi for the samples.


Thanks again to all who provided samples, it was nice to be able to try these. I still have some additional samples on the way from Mikeymad/Ganga, so we'll be tasting more together after they arrive.

[Ganga]

When we can. I've been looking at my schedule for December; I'm thinking a Thursday night will be best. Also, Mikey is a little busy for the next 7 to 10 days.

[Ryguy]

Yes, I agree that a Thursday night will work best. We'll work it out I'm sure. On another note, I was thinking of doing some Sprinbank this Thursday evening.

[mikeymad]

So okay 5 months later and a few samples to go...

Cheers,

[Ganga]

Recall that I was burned out last November (Sayer Fire). Well I thought it was appropriate to try a little bit of Irish on St. Patrick's Day. First up (courtesy of ryguy) is the Redbreast 12. I'm very curious to see how this compares to the 15.

[mikeymad]

Okay ganga and thanks to Ryguy...

Redbreast 12yo OB 40%

[Ganga]

Red Breast 12
Brand : Irish Dist. Lmtd. Expression : 12 yo
Nose : cracked grains/doughy, vanilla, bees wax, citrus-lemon, fleshy fruits, verathane Palate : grist, lemony peach Finish : moderately long, peach pulp Comment : - Colour : bright gold Score : 0
Age : 12 Years Old Vintage : 0 ABV : 40% Bottler : original bottling	Type : Pot Still Region : Ireland Water : - Ice : - Glass : Brandy Glass Notes : -
More tasting notes by None Please do not reproduce or copy this tasting note without permission.

[mikeymad]

Right off the top of the nose the redbreast comes off with hits of grain, and then light lemon and hints of peaches with a touch of varnish.... a nice blend...

The first dram came and left without much to say for itself. Smooth, light with some malt, more of the peaches to come on the palate. It just becomes more and more drinkable, not much changes, and it does not really grow on itself much.

It seems to finish light and short, almost a touch of smoke... interesting.

Very easy drinker... keeps going down...

[mikeymad]

Moving on to a spot of the Green Spot 40% - thanks to our Irish friend...

[Ganga]

Green Spot
Brand : John Jameson & Sons Expression : NAS
Nose : whole grain dough, paint thinner, tangerines, vanilla, bananas Palate : banana cream pie, Finish : mild, oily custard Comment : - Colour : honey gold Score : 0
Age : NAS Years Old Vintage : 0 ABV : 40% Bottler : John Jameson & Sons	Type : Pot Still Region : Ireland Water : - Ice : - Glass : Brandy Glass Notes : -
More tasting notes by None Please do not reproduce or copy this tasting note without permission.

[Ganga]

I'm finding these whiskies to be very light on the palate, reminescent of Bladnoch but with different flavors.

[mikeymad]

The green spot is another Pot Still...

I am not getting much off the nose to start... a little light citrus and gain with not much following it up... a little banana.

Sitting in the mouth there is a little oiliness, this is kicked around with a touch of the banana. Taking a bigger sip and there is a alcohol hit, not much fun at all. Smaller the better for this palate.

There is just a hit of taste on the finish , can't put much on it, it is so light... little bit of grain...

Not much to say, good to sip on without much to get in the way, but don't take a big shot of it....

[evanstonwhisky]

i will just watch - is see is a tasting. i cannot, as i must work now.... (

[pkt77242]

Just pouring myself a Jamesons 12yo. Nice notes, Mikey and Ganga.

Sean

[mikeymad]

Cheers Sean and Evan...!!!!

Welcome...

[Ganga]

Good evening Gents. Just catching up from November.

[mikeymad]

Following you Sean....

Jameson 12yo 40%... 'A Blend'

Sample from ganga... thx

Cheers,

[pkt77242]

Following you Sean....

Jameson 12yo 40%... 'A Blend'

Sample from ganga... thx

Cheers,

Mikey, I really like the Jamesons, very easy drinking though not super complex. Next up for me is Connemara CS.

Sean

[Ganga]

Jameson 12
Brand : Jameson & Son Expression : Jameson 12
Nose : peach smoothie, gristy, slight feintiness Palate : Peach cobbler, rhubarb, florals, strawberry quick Finish : medium, sour peaches Comment : - Colour : amber gold Score : 0
Age : 12 Years Old Vintage : 0 ABV : 40% Bottler : Jameson & Son	Type : Blended Region : Ireland Water : - Ice : - Glass : Brandy Glass Notes : -
More tasting notes by None Please do not reproduce or copy this tasting note without permission.

[Ganga]

That was so much fun that I think I'll move onto the Jameson NAS.

[mikeymad]

hmmm nose is pretty strong for a 40% on the Jam' 12.

Comes off with some nice 'toasted?' grain, with leads to a hit of chocolate, there is almost some sherry hits in there... touch of caramel. Interesting and not expected.

Wow the palate comes off with all kinds of strangeness to start with. It hit some high notes and low notes, but not sure what they are doing yet. Second pour and it is a light palate, a lot more floral notes come out with rosemary coming threw pretty strong.

the finish sticks around a little bit (medium). The leftovers are a herbal blend that lingers a bit.

Much more complex that I was expecting, I liked smelling it a little bit more than drinking it.

[mikeymad]

I have the peated Connemara CS.. but first Jameson NAS 40%

[pkt77242]

Connemara CS, Pear and Peat. There is also a nice oiliness to it. The best irish I have had so far.

Sean

[Ganga]

Jameson NAS
Brand : Jameson & Son Expression : Jameson NAS
Nose : barley, loads of lemons, Elmer's wood glue Palate : a bit feinty, loads of mixed grains, some honey Finish : long, feinty. citrus and crushed grain. Comment : - Colour : gold Score : 0
Age : NAS Years Old Vintage : 0 ABV : 40% Bottler : Jameson & Son	Type : Blended Region : Ireland Water : - Ice : - Glass : Brandy Glass Notes : -
More tasting notes by None Please do not reproduce or copy this tasting note without permission.

[Ganga]

Bushmills Original
Brand : Bushmills Expression : Original
Nose : lemon pledge, grist-doughy Palate : lemony cocoa, doughy Finish : soft, doughy, heathery Comment : - Colour : August Wheat Score : 0
Age : NAS Years Old Vintage : 0 ABV : 40% Bottler : Bushmills	Type : Blended Region : Ireland Water : - Ice : - Glass : Brandy Glass Notes : -
More tasting notes by None Please do not reproduce or copy this tasting note without permission.

[mikeymad]

okay..... Jam NAS....

Perfume out of the top of the glass, nose of varnish, I can't get anything else out of the nose.

Nice oil on the palate, light grains. Much more drinkable than the nose was leading me onto believe.

Works pretty well with taking a large dram.

Finishes with some grain as well..

I was put off by the nose, but the drinking of it worked out pretty well...

[mikeymad]

Following ganga with the Bushmills White label. 40%

[pkt77242]

On my second dram of the Connemara CS, now I am also picking up a grassiness on the finish. A very good whiskey but the bottle is now down under 1/5.

Sean

[mikeymad]

The Bush starts out with a little light grain and a little lemon nose.

Very light on the palate and finish as well. All around light grains and alcohol.

could not find much there, but not much to turn you off as well.

[mikeymad]

good pour sean... work your way to the a 6th...


Cheers,

[mikeymad]

a bit of Tyrconnell 40%..... thx ganga...

[pkt77242]

good pour sean... work your way to the a 6th...


Cheers,

Thanks Mikey, I am now on my third dram of it. Though after this one I may switch to a scotch to finish the night. But I am going to stick around for a little bit to read Ganga and your notes.

Sean

[Ganga]

Tyrconnell Single Malt NAS
Brand : Tyrconnell Expression : Single Malt NAS
Nose : varnish, lemon polish, tangerine, barley Palate : overripe grains, lemon peals, light vanilla Finish : short, gristy Comment : - Colour : light gold Score : 0
Age : NAS Years Old Vintage : 0 ABV : 40% Bottler : Andrew Watt & Company	Type : Single Malt Region : Ireland Water : - Ice : - Glass : Brandy Glass Notes : -
More tasting notes by None Please do not reproduce or copy this tasting note without permission.

[mikeymad]

My notes are starting to get shorter as I am getting more deep in Irish lore.

here is some more blarney.....


the Try.... come off with some light lemons and malt on the nose.

Lots of maltyness and almost a dry grist character on the palate .

Finished about the same...

I liked this bev overall. wanted a bit more.