I’m often asked my opinion on what the best whiskey is for certain occasions or best choice as a gift. It dawned on me recently that I often come up with the same recommendation. While pot still varieties are always a good choice, for those visiting Ireland or requesting a traveler bring a bottle back for them, I usually recommend Jameson Crested Ten.
What more can be said or written that has not already? Plenty. Here are my musings in between sips. My first trip to Ireland was in 2007. We arrived early Saturday morning in Dublin when nothing was yet open, including our hotel rooms. Killing time, we found ourselves at the Celtic Whiskey shop where a sidewalk sign welcomed us in for a tasting.
In what seems a dizzying array of new Irish Whiskeys, Prizefight Irish Whiskey stands out among the truly exciting ones. My fondness for this whiskey is due in no small part to the subtle hints of rye which brings a new, and welcome, zing to an otherwise traditional blend. There’s something quite pleasant that happened to this whiskey during its lengthy stay in West Cork, Ireland, resting comfortably in American rye barrels and soaking up all that spicy goodness.
Sometimes you’re in the mood to review whiskey, and sometimes you’re not. Well, tonight I am very much in the mood to review a whiskey. As a matter of fact, I’m in the mood to review a couple of whiskeys. And not just any whiskey mind you, but an example of the best whiskey the Good Lord ever saw fit to bestow upon his humble children… Irish Whiskey!