We know, we know—whiskey with ice typically goes against the traditionalist’s way of drinking the beverage (some may even go as far as calling it sacrilege), but whiskey is there for the enjoyment of the drinker. Best to Drink Straight: Connemara 12 Year Old Peated Single Malt Whiskey Buy on Drizly Buy on ReserveBar As a style, Irish whiskey is characteristically smooth, though there are some brands that break the stereotype. The combination of whiskey styles and cask types creates a complex and balanced whiskey with vanilla and spice in equal proportions. Overall, it’s a great introduction for anyone who’s looking for their first taste of this whiskey style. The previously used wood soaks up flavors from its former inhabitant and imparts those qualities to the new liquor. The British levied a tax on the Irish (as they were wont to do at the time) on the use of malted barley, so Irish distillers started combining malted and unmalted barley to save money. This single malt whiskey’s most significant attribute is a delicious and creamy flavor that makes you want to drink it straight. Since there are only a few distilleries in Ireland, the offerings are not as numerous as you’ll find with other whiskey styles. The simplest way to consume whiskey is to have it “straight”. Connemara 12 Year Old Peated Single Malt Whiskey, The 15 Best Gifts for Whiskey Lovers of 2020, Best for Beginners: Add whiskey, Demerara syrup, hot coffee, and salt and stir together. Three thousand bottles are available here in the U.S. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links. The three whiskeys truly represent a departure from what you’ve come to expect from Bushmills, especially if they become widely available soon. Matthew Kelly / Supercall Whiskey is really the only alcohol that you can drink straight out of the bottle. This finish gives the fruity whiskey notes of berry, ripe apple, and white pepper, and is a testament to the effects of carefully thought-out barrel finishing. The goal of a drink served neat is to go straight from the bottle to the glass with as little interruption as possible. They might also add that all Irish whiskey is triple distilled, which makes it super "smooth"—an overused adjective that doesn’t say a whole lot. The hard times of war, U.S. The whiskey is small-batched from hand-selected barrels and bottled at … Both Egan and Teeling also note that one of the most important ingredients in Irish whiskey is the climate, which differs from Kentucky, Tennessee, and even neighboring Scotland. Produced from a combination of malted and unmalted barley, it is distilled three times in copper pot stills then aged for a minimum of 15 years. It’s also the best-selling Irish whiskey in the United States, where it competes with Tennessee whiskey, Kentucky bourbon and Canadian whiskey. Distilled three times and aged in oak for at least four years, the finished whiskey is a blend of pot still and grain whiskeys. The long finish ensures that it’s a memorable experience. Its core range consists of a few different sourced whiskeys, but the latest release was distilled onsite. ", "Often overlooked, the smooth taste and affordable price make it an excellent everyday whiskey. Also, you’ll be in good company with this drinking method. Impeccably smooth, you'll enjoy the warm flavors of vanilla and black pepper along with sweet fruits and a surprisingly long finish. There are a number of notable Irish whiskeys you'll definitely want to seek out, including single malts, small-batch whiskeys, and whiskeys aged in special barrels. In fact, the founder of the brand, Bernard Walsh, sent Martin Scorsese and the cast of The Irishman 30 personalized bottles of The Irishman Cask Strength last year as a promotion. 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