October 4, Irish Whisky Tasting

[Ryguy]

I will be doing some checking around the Southland this weekend. I am checking for some of the availability of various whiskies and miniatures. So far, it looks like I can get minis of the regular Bushmill and Jameson. I think I can get miniatures of Tyrconnell. There is some potential for a Bushmills BB and 10 yo - I've seen these in the past.

I would suggest the RB 12 for the PPS. It seems to be the one most readily available.

Good work Ganga! Thanks! Also I figure if we can get 1 or 2 bottles the same as what the UK folk are dramming, we're doing well. Keep us posted on what you find.

[Ganga]

I'm stuffing a copy of the above list into the wallet. After all one must have a notebook when one is doing serious research.

[lohssanami]

I think I'd be interested in trying this sampling/tasting if there's an opening. Let me know Ganga!

[Willie JJ]

It's an open tasting Tim. If you are joining the US group then as far as I can see the current state of play for the 4th is:

North America:
Ryguy
Ganga
Mikeymad
Lohssanami

Europe:
The Tross
Willie JJ
Collector57
Cathach

Should we move the date to allow more of the Irish members to take part or are we commited now?

Cheers

[mikeymad]

I was going to contact you Lohssanami, if you didn't chime in on this....

Picked up the following Blend samples at Bevmo the other day:

Kilbeggan
Bushmills (white label)
Jameson
Tullamore Dew

So I think my blends are pretty covered for the low end.

Cheers,

[Ganga]

Ok, I have some samples of the Bushmills Original and Jamesons 12. In addition, a full bottle of the Tyrconnell single malt. Plenty for you Tim (Lohss).

[Willie JJ]

Should we move the date to allow more of the Irish members to take part or are we commited now?

Cheers

Any thoughts guys?

[Ganga]

I will be booked up pretty solid for the remainder of October. It is my recollection that the preceding weeks will be occupied with the September tasting and Malty tasting. First weekend of November?

[Ryguy]

We could push the date as far as I'm concerned into early November. If in fact more people would become involved, I say it's worth doing. What do the rest of you think?

[TheTross]

We can push this back for me. I see little logic in having an Irish whiskey tasting if most of our Irish friends that are interested aren't able to take part! Also, there are only four members in the European group so far, so pushing the date back might allow a few more additions.

However, the first weekend in November (1-2) may be an issue as it's the one preceeding Bonfire Night (the 5th, which is a Wednesday this year), so some of the UK folk may not be available, myself included. Saying that, the second weekend (8-9) may be taken up with Bonfire events too; I can't yet guarantee which weekend many will use, again including myself. Taking both of those into account may push the tasting back even further towards the end of November.

[Willie JJ]

You must really go to a lot of bonfire events Stuart. I can't remember when I last went to such a thing. 31st Oct/1st Nov is Whisky Live Glasgow so that doesn't work for me either. We could make it 15th Nov. Does that work for more folk?

I'll just repost Cathac's list for bottle guidance:

Cathac's List
Blends:
Black Bush (Bushmills)
Powers (Irish Distillers)
Jameson 12yo (Irish Distillers)
Jameson Gold (Irish Distillers)

(Single/Unblended) Pure Pot Still:
Greenspot (Irish Distillers)
Redbreast 12yo (Irish Distillers)
Redbreast 15yo ncf (Irish Distillers-a real gem this)

Single Malt:
Connemara Cask Strength (Cooley Distillery)
Locke's 8yo (Cooley Distillery)
Tyrconnell 10yo Port/Sherry/Madeira Finish (Cooley Distillery)
Tyrconnell 15yo Single Cask
Bushmills 10yo (Bushmills)

What's the availability of Pot still like in the US? I suspect the Redbreast 15 is likely to be impossible for most of us.

Cheers

[Ganga]

In mulling through a few of the stores, the PPS availability is pretty much limited to RB 12. Grain Greenore 8. W&L depot is but a mere 15 minutes away with both!

You guys just reminded me, we should contact Wave again. He may be available with the date change.

[Ryguy]

I also checked on the Redbreast, I can get it here for $41 (I'm asuming it's the 12yo). This is the bottle I'll be purchasing, so if availability is low there Willie, let me know. I could send a bulk shipment of samples to you for distribution.

[Willie JJ]

Yes I was more concerned about availabilty for you than for me Ryan.

If we can all get the RB12 can we say that that is a confirmed sample?

The Tasting List
Blends:
???

(Single/Unblended) Pure Pot Still:
Redbreast 12yo (Irish Distillers)

Single Malt:
???

It would be nice to explore the Pot Still as much as possible. Is there a bottle of Greenspot in CA maybe?

Cheers

[Ganga]

Greenspot is not showing up at the local stores in So California. RB 15 was never available here (although a friend brought some back from Ireland 3 or 4 years ago).

I'd suggest that blends can be rather open ended. Lots of sample bottles available. I have Jameson's 12 and Bushmills Original that I will be passing out to the US folks.

I have a bottle of Tyrconnell single malt. I don't recall an age statement.

I think you can pretty much put in Greenore 8 for the grain as that's all that I think is available here.

We have one independent bottling here. MMcD Cooley.

[Willie JJ]

Yes I forgot the single grain.

The Bushmills, Jameson's and the Tyrconnell are no problem here, but the Greenore I can only find as a 15yo at TWE. Maybe some Irish help required for that one. Anyway, if we can find the Greenore it would give a line up like this (so far):

The Tasting List
Blends:
Jameson's 12yo
Bushmills Original

Pure Pot Still:
Redbreast 12yo

Single Malt:
Tyrconnel NAS

Single Grain:
Greenore 8yo

Cheers

[Ganga]

The Tasting List
Blends:
Jameson's 12yo

(Single/Unblended) Pure Pot Still:
Redbreast 12yo

Single Malt:
Tyrconnel NAS

Single Grain
Greenore 8yo


I can live with this as a basic lineup. Individuals can explore some of the other available whiskies as well.

[Ganga]

Ok, now that the weekend of 10/3-4 is open anyone game for maybe a PE tasting?

[Willie JJ]

Sorry Ganga I edited it and added in the Bushmills since you had it and it would be easy to get here. This seems like a good starting point, but if we can get a few extra members then we can build on it maybe.

[Willie JJ]

Ok, now that the weekend of 10/3-4 is open anyone game for maybe a PE tasting?

Ha ha, you're irrepressible.

[Ryguy]

Ok, now that the weekend of 10/3-4 is open anyone game for maybe a PE tasting?

I had my own little sit down with Port Ellen the other night, but because it was so dram good, I'm up for another! I might even have time to purchase a new bottle.

[Willie JJ]

We can do that, but I guess we need new threads. One for the new Irish date and one for the PE. This thread should probably close up now.

Cheers

[Wave]

The Bushmills, Jameson's and the Tyrconnell are also no problem here. What is available in my little neck of the woods (Friar Tucks) are,
Bushmills NAS, Black Bush, 1608, 10yo, 16yo and 21yo
Connemera NAS
Clontarf NAS and Black Label
Feckin
Jameson NAS, 12yo and 18yo
Kilbeggan
Knappogue Castle 1994
Merrys Special Reserve
Michael Collins Blend and Single Malt
Midleton
Tullamore Dew
Tyrconnell

Alas no Redbreast or Greenore
Are any of the above a good replacement for these two?

Cheers!

[Ryguy]

The Bushmills, Jameson's and the Tyrconnell are also no problem here. What is available in my little neck of the woods (Friar Tucks) are,
Bushmills NAS, Black Bush, 1608, 10yo, 16yo and 21yo
Connemera NAS
Clontarf NAS and Black Label
Feckin
Jameson NAS, 12yo and 18yo
Kilbeggan
Knappogue Castle 1994
Merrys Special Reserve
Michael Collins Blend and Single Malt
Midleton
Tullamore Dew
Tyrconnell

Alas no Redbreast or Greenore
Are any of the above a good replacement for these two?

Cheers!

Wave, no need to purchase a full bottle. After all what am I going to do with all the extra Redbreast after the tasting is over? I'll get you out a sample once I have the bottle.

[Ganga]

As Willie suggested, I've started a new thread with the new date.

Wave, since ryguy is getting the RB 12, I will be getting the Greenore 8. No problem including a sample of the Greenore and Tyrconnell (already in possession).