Spotlight on Irish Spirits
Green Spot Pot Still Irish Whiskey $69.99
Mitchell & Son began sourcing spirit from Jameson’s historic Bow Street Distillery back in the early 1800s. Using an assortment of sherry, whisky, and wine barrels to transport the whiskey across Dublin to their warehouse, the barrels were marked with a colored spot to denote how long they should age. Now, the historic, single-pot still Irish whisky is available stateside. Green Spot is created from a distillation of malted and un-malted barley and aged five to eight years in both used bourbon and Sherry wood, the result is very apple-driven and creamy, with a hint of sweet. It’s easy-drinking, with a dry finish of honey and nuts.
Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin $37.99
Nuance is supreme in this Irish gin, which gets its name for the legendary type of green tea that’s used as its botanical base. Additional fruits and spices give this gin a broader range and flavor than most.
McConnell’s 5yr Irish Whisky $33.99
McConnell’s truly is one of Ireland’s oldest whisky brands, and by extension the world’s. Since the 18th century it has gone through several rises and revivals and its current iteration is an invaluable addition to the canon of classics in the category. This whisky is created from a blend of single malt and grain spirits that are aged a minimum of five years in ex-Bourbon barrels. This whisky offers ease and versatility. Offering notes of lemon zest, spring honey, coconut cake, fresh baked butter pastry, white tea, and gentle notes of pepper.
John L. Sullivan Irish Whiskey $24.96
Like its namesake, this whiskey packs a punch delivered first via its aromas. After the first wave, the spirit settles down and is reminiscent of a refined, triple-distilled dram with notes of golden yellow apples, butterscotch, lanolin, oats and vanilla. The whiskey is juicy and persistent on the palate with a bright finish that pops with white pepper. It’s everything an Irish whiskey should be.
Coole Swan Cream Liqueurs $29.99
This small category is dominated by big brands, but if you haven’t tried Coole Swan you have not experienced the pinnacle of Irish cream liqueur. Made from double cream, Irish whiskey, and Madagascan vanilla, this tastes like a spiked black-and-white cookie milkshake.
Tyrconnell Irish Whiskey $33.99
Finding single malt Irish whiskey can be a bit of a rarity. This one is both available and delicious. Full in body with honeyed and citrus notes on the palate, it’s truly a spirit to sip and savor but will work extremely well in mixed drinks at this new, higher ABV.
Waterford Rathclogh Single Malt Whiskey $89.99
Terroir (téireoir in Gaelic) does not play the same role in spirits production as it does in wine. But Waterford’s founder Mark Reynier is trying to change that. His goal is to produce single malt whiskey that showcases the unique flavor profiles and provenance of the extraordinary barleys found on the Emerald Isle. The Rathclogh uses grains grown by farmer Richard Raftice on his farm in Kilkenny, Ireland. The single origin barley is distilled and aged for a minimum of 3years in a combination of 31% first-fill US oak, 19% virgin US oak, 25% premium French oak and 25% Vin Doux Naturel prior to being bottled with zero additives or artificial ingredients at 100 proof.