2024 Q1 Spirited VA - 5

FEATURED SPIRIT
Irish Whiskey
Consider one of these takes on a classic spirit.
T
he word " whiskey " comes from the Irish
phrase " uisce beatha, " which means " lifegiving
water. " Irish whiskey is one of Europe's
oldest distilled beverages. It's thought that
Irish monks learned how to distill perfume
around 1000 CE. Afterward, they applied this
method to spirits. In 1405, Irish whiskey makes
its first appearance in print in " The Annals of
Clonmacnoise, " a work of Irish history.
The original Irish whiskeys were unaged and
flavored with aromatic herbs such as mint,
thyme and anise. They were distilled on a
small-scale basis until 1608 when Old Bushmills
became the world's first licensed distillery of
the spirit. Today, Irish whiskey is typically made
from barley, malt and water and is generally
smoother, sweeter and less smoky than Scotch.
Drumshanbo Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey
750 ml, 43% ABV, $64.99
Triple distilled at the Shed Distillery in Drumshanbo,
this spirit is made from malted and
unmalted Irish barley and Irish barra oats. It's
aged in former sherry and bourbon barrels. The
flavor is sweet, full-bodied and a little spicy.
The Irishman Single Malt Irish Whiskey
750 ml, 40% ABV, $49.99
The Walsh Whiskey Distillery was founded in
1999. Their Irishman Single Malt is distilled
three times in pot stills before aging. On the
nose it's vegetal, floral and fruity with a touch
of honey. The taste is mild and lightly sweet
with notes of vanilla, caramel and ripe banana.
Jameson Irish Whiskey
750 ml, 40% ABV, $29.99
Jameson is a traditional Irish whiskey and the
world's top seller in the category. The aroma
blends apple, allspice and hops, and on the
palate you'll get cocoa, butterscotch and a
lingering milk chocolate finish.
Bushmills Irish Whiskey
750 ml, 40% ABV, $27.99
Based in Country Antrim in Northern Ireland,
Bushmills is an award-winning whiskey that's
been produced since 1784, though their story
goes back to 1608 when King James I awarded
a royal license to distill whiskey. Bushmills is
made from grain whiskey aged five years before
being mixed with a range of malt whiskeys.
Proper No. 12 Irish Whiskey
750 ml, 40% ABV, $29.99
This is a young drink, launched in 2018. Proper
No. 12 is a blended whiskey made in copper
pot stills and aged for three years or more in
ex-bourbon barrels. The flavor is sweet with a
short, hot finish. There are notes of caramel,
apricot, pepper and candied orange peel.
Redbreast 12 Year Irish Whiskey
750 ml, 40% ABV, $72.99
From the Midleton Distillery in Cork, this spirit is
produced from 100% malted and unmalted barley.
Redbreast 12 Year is a traditional Irish whiskey
that matures in oak casks. The flavor profile is
subtle yet distinctive with hints of ripe cherry,
sugar cookies, toffee and almond. The whiskey
has a buttery texture and a long, warm finish.
The Sexton Irish Whiskey
750 ml, 40% ABV, $34.99
Sexton is made from 100% malted barley and
aged four years in sherry barrels. The spirit
has a rich dark copper color and an aroma
of cocoa, malt and pound cake. The taste is
well balanced and striking with oaky and fruity
undertones. You'll taste fresh berries, lemon,
apricot and a touch of mint.
Writer's Tears Copper Pot Irish Whiskey
750 ml, 40% ABV, $39.99
From Walsh Whiskey, Writers' Tears is an
attempt to honor and re-create the taste of
19th-century Irish whiskey. The taste is light
with notes of shortbread, stone fruit and oak.
It's medium-bodied with a subtle finish.
Tullamore D. E. W. Irish Whiskey
750 ml, 40% ABV, $31.99
The distillery opened in 1829 in the small town
of Tullamore. Tullamore D. E. W. was named
after the initials of the original owner, Daniel
E. Williams. The drink is a blend of grain,
malt and pot still whiskeys, which results in a
complex flavor that's spicy, fruity and sweet.
Jameson Cold Brew
750 ml, 30% ABV, $32.99
Made from Arabica coffee beans sourced from
Brazil and Columbia along with triple-distilled
Jameson, Jameson Cold Brew is often
enjoyed on the rocks with cola and an orange
twist. It is smooth, rich and robust.
Jameson Orange
750 ml, 30% ABV, $32.99
A blend of the original Jameson whiskey and
orange flavoring, this low-sugar spirit is fruity,
nutty and lightly sweet. The flavor is composed
of vanilla, citrus, tree nuts, honey and a rumor
of white pepper in the finish.
Proper No. 12 Irish Apple
750 ml, 35% ABV, $29.99
This flavored spirit is a blend of single malt
and grain whiskies along with apple juice.
The aroma is very sweet, not unlike a caramel
apple. The taste is fruit-forward with elements
of pear, apple, brown sugar, marzipan and oak.
-Andrew Madigan
SPIRITED VIRGINIA | JANUARY | FEBRUARY | MARCH 2024 5
2024 Q1 Spirited VA

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