The Irish Whisper

The first night we were in National Harbor, MD we stopped by the front of The Irish Whisper and decided it looked a little dark inside and continued down the street. It was a huge mistake. We ended up in The Irish Whisper on our last night, and it was such a gem. It was dim inside, but each table had a light and the music was both good, and at a volume that was perfect to either chill out and listen to it, or have a normal conversation without having to scream at each other.

They had a massive menu of both Irish Whiskey and Scotch and the staff were amazing. It was really busy, and our server basically had the whole place except the actual bar, and she was always there when we wanted something.

I sampled the Irish Whiskey and enjoyed my first sip of Midleton, so now I have to buy a bottle!

Irish Whiskey Menu
Irish Whiskey Menu

My son (adult) likes Scotch, so he tried a flight that included Dalmore 15, Highland Park 12 and Oban 14. He also had a dram of Glenfiddich 12, which he really enjoyed. He just graduated with a 4.0 for his second Bachelor’s, so I got him a bottle of that after as a gift.

Scotch Flight
Scotch Flight

The Irish Whisper Scoring

Overall The Irish Whisper was a pure joy to sit and enjoy my family as well as good whiskey of every sort, earning it a 90/100. For me, this was a High Cost outing, but if your tastes (or self control) are better than mine, you can enjoy The Irish Whisper at any price point.

PlaceLocationScorePrice ScaleDrink
Cinder BarClarksboro, NJ96High CostManhattan
Saltgrass SteakhouseOrlando, FL91Moderate CostManhattan
The Irish WhisperNational Harbor, MD90High CostIrish Whiskey
The Dead RabbitNew York, NY75High CostMultiple
Iron Hill BreweryWilmington, DE71High CostKentucky Connection
Harry’s Savoy GrillWilmington, DE67High CostManhattan
Boulevardier
Ted’s Montana GrillNewark, DE66Moderate CostNewly Fashioned
Creekside InnWoodstown, NJ65Low to ModerateManhattan
AlewifeRichmond, VA63High CostManhattan
roanokeChicago, IL55High CostBlack Manhattan
Blue Line Lounge & BarChicago, IL53Low CostManhattan
Da AndreaNew York, NY50High CostManhattan
Negroni
Iguana CafeChicago, IL45Moderate CostManhattan
The Greene TurtleNewark, DE40Moderate CostManhattan
Restaurante Montserrat ManorPunta Cana, DR35High CostManhattan
Dave & Buster'sDeptford, NJ30Moderate CostManhattan
Cock'n BullLahaska, PA26High CostManhattan
Old Fashioned
The Brass TapNational Harbor, MD25Moderate CostManhattan
Carrol's Creek CafeAnnapolis, MD21High CostManhattan
Big Fish GrillWilmington, DE10High CostManhattan
The LegendNew Castle, DE5Low CostManhattan
TGI FridaysNew Castle, DE1Moderate CostManhattan

Cost Scale

Up to $30 per person – Low Cost

$31 to $50 per person – Moderate Cost

$51 and above per person – High Cost

Tullamore D.E.W. 14 Year

One of my sons (who is an adult) gave me this wonderful bottle of Tullamore D.E.W. 14 Year Old for fathers day. I drank half that night and saved the other half to enjoy in a more relaxed manner. This is my fourth Tullamore offering, all of which I’ve enjoyed. Plus, who is going to turn down a well aged Single Malt that has been aged in Sherry Casks, Bourbon Casks, Madeira Casks, and Port Casks?

Tullamore D.E.W. 14 Year
Tullamore D.E.W. 14 Year

I have to say this is one of those rare whiskies where I can actually appreciate all those finishes.

As you can see, I demolished this bottle in just two sittings…

Tullamore D.E.W. 14 Year
Tullamore D.E.W. 14 Year

The Nose

The nose on this Tullamore D.E.W 14 is a swirling complexity to delight your olfactory senses. The first thing that hit my nose was the wonderful maltiness of the Single Malt, a bit of alcohol, and then it quickly shifts as the multiple finishes vie for your attention. The time spent in the Port, Sherry and Madeira casks give the nose a wonderful fruitiness which is nicely balanced by the sharper vanilla from the bourbon casks.

I sat here with a snifter for a good ten minutes appreciating this Tullamore D.E.W 14’s nose. It is worth picking up a bottle just to sample all those well balanced finishes.

The Palate

The mouth feel is crisp and clean. The front of my tongue is hit by the malt that turns to a touch of vanilla as I start to swallow. The finish is all dry Sherry, Port, and Madeira which also gives this whiskey a nice fruity finish. It is well done, but this is the one area there might be just a bit of a clash of flavors as the different finishes vie for first place.

The Score – Tullamore D.E.W. 14 Year

Overall, this is an excellent Irish Whiskey which scored an 81/100, making it Sip Worthy. Thank you Ty!!!!

Color

Deep amber and honey that captures the light perfectly.

Proof

46.0% ABV

Pros:

  • This was an amazing, awesome gift.
  • Masterfully blended finishes. This is a perfect masterclass for those who want something with a bit more complexity.
  • Easier to find than some other bottles at this quality and price point.

Cons:

  • Has some complexity that may not be for the beginner.
  • In my area, this is the same price as Redbreast 12, and for that money, unless I am thirsty for the complex finishes this Tullamore D.E.W 14 gives, I’d most likely end up buying the Redbreast 12.
BottleScorePrice
Redbreast Cask Strength97$100 / 750ml
High N’ Wicked The Wild Rover Single Malt Irish Whiskey97$160 / 750ml
Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style Bourbon96$65 / 750ml
Redbreast 12 Years96$70 / 750ml
Jameson The Distiller’s Safe95$70 / 750ml
Colonel E.H. Taylor Small Batch Bourbon94$45 / 750ml
Redbreast Lustau Edition92$65 / 750ml
Redbreast 1591$115 / 750ml
The Dubliner 10 Year89$70 / 750ml
Tullamore D.E.W. 14 Year81$65 / 700ml
Jameson IPA Edition80$30 / 750ml
Redbreast Kentucky Oak Edition Irish Whiskey80$125 / 750ml
Don Julio 194280$190 / 750ml
Basil Hayden’s75$35 / 750ml
Jameson Irish Whiskey75$25 / 750ml
John L. Sullivan Irish Whiskey72$25 / 750ml
Tullamore Dew Caribbean Rum Cask Finish Irish Whiskey72$30 / 750ml
Bushmills 10 Year Irish Whiskey72$50 / 750ml
Clyde May’s Original Alabama Style Whiskey71$35 / 750ml
Teeling Small Batch Irish Whiskey70$40 / 750ml
Paddy’s Old Irish Whiskey70$20 / 750ml
Kirkland Irish Whiskey65$18 / 1500ml
Wellsley Farms Irish Whiskey65$28 / 1500ml
Drumshanbo Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey62$65 / 750ml
Stillhouse Black Bourbon61$20 / 750ml
Jameson Orange55$30 / 750ml
Buffalo Trace55$25 / 750ml
Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 Tennessee Whiskey51$30 / 750ml
Knob Creek Small Batch49$35 / 750ml
Blade And Bow48$50 / 750ml
Proclamation Irish Whiskey44$30 / 750ml
The Temple Bar Irish Whiskey40$60 / 750ml
Redemption Bourbon 40$30 / 750ml
Natterjack Irish Whiskey35$35 / 750ml
Baha Founders Reserve30$65 / 700ml
Woodford Reserve29$35 / 750ml
Breaker29$65 / 750ml
Pure Kentucky28$35 / 750ml
Stranahan's27$60 / 750ml
Egan’s Fortitude Irish Whiskey26$45 / 750ml
Winchester Extra Smooth Bourbon Whiskey15$30 / 750ml
Jack Daniel's Tennessee Honey10$20 / 750ml
Hill Billy Bourbon9$20 / 750ml
Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey5$25 / 750ml
The Busker Irish Whiskey4$35 / 750ml
Kavanagh Irish Whiskey3$25 / 750ml
The Balvenie 14 Years Caribbean Cask1$100 / 750ml
American XXX Born Bourbon Whiskey1$25 / 750ml
Pops McCann0$40 / 750ml
Silkie Irish Whiskey0$30 / 750ml

See all Whiskeys and how they rank!

Breaker Manhattan

Breaker whiskey scored a 29/100 as a straight up sipper. That is not a great score and put it in the Just Bad category. What do I do with bottles that I don’t enjoy straight or over ice? I make Manhattan’s with it! My first problem with this bottle being used for mixed drinks is its price. At $55 this bourbon is punching way under its weight. Still, it has sitting lonely and untouched on a shelf until I was desperate and didn’t have a lot of other options. So into a Manhattan it goes.

Breaker Bourbon Whiskey

So how was it?

Well, it did help the base whiskey, but the end is still really rough. I used my normal ratios of two parts bourbon to one part vermouth and shook vigorously before pouring into a Yeti Tumbler. I was hoping the sweet vermouth would help smooth out some of the rough edges on the bourbon but it only helped a little bit.

Scoring – Breaker Manhattan

Sadly, the vermouth didn’t help this Breaker much, and only added 6 points to its overall score, giving this Breaker Manhattan a total of 35/100 points, meaning it just barely helped this Whiskey get into the If I Had Limited Choices Category.

BottleScorePriceType
Basil Hayden’s Manhattan95$30 / 750mlManhattan
Balcones Lineage Manhattan92$40 / 750mlManhattan
Knob Creek Small Batch Manhattan69$30 / 750mlManhattan
Redemption Bourbon Manhattan53$30 / 750mlManhattan
Breaker Manhattan35$55 / 750mlManhattan
American XXX Born Bourbon Whiskey Manhattan35$25 / 750mlManhattan

Redbreast 15

I found this bottle of Redbreast 15 after a year of trying to find a bottle that I didn’t have to drive three hours each way to try. You better believe I grabbed it when I saw it on the shelf at a nearby store!

Redbreast 15

The Nose

The nose on this Redbreast 15 is a beautiful thing. The base is all malt and rich dark fruits that ends with a bit of nuttiness. Compared to Redbreast 12, this is stronger, richer, but very similar.

The Palate

The mouth feel of this Redbreast is slightly different than Redbreast 12. It has a dryer mouth feel, which I think is caused by the extra time spent in the barrel? Those extra years in oak gave imparted a bit more astringency that leads to a dry, slightly acidic finish. It’s not overpowering, and it is balanced by malt, vanilla, and a touch of pepper. Underneath all that is the lovely butter cookies I love so much in Redbreast 12.

The Score – Redbreast 15

Redbreast 15 is a very enjoyable dram. It may seem strange that I’m giving this a lower score than Redbreast 12, but those extra years in the barrel change some of what I love about the original. Don’t get me wrong, a 91/100 still puts this Irish Whiskey well above almost every other bottle I’ve tried, but it doesn’t unseat my all time favorite Irish Whiskey, which is of course Redbreast 12. Will that change? I don’t know, but so far nothing has come close.

Color

Deep amber and honey that captures the light perfectly.

Proof

46.0% ABV

Pros:

  • For the well trained Whiskey Lover this is a complex dram with a deep flavor profile.
  • Amazing nose.
  • I got to check something off on my bucket list.

Cons:

  • This hard to find, so if you do love it, you might not be able to find it.
  • At $100 bucks, the price to value drops off a bit.
BottleScorePrice
Redbreast Cask Strength97$100 / 750ml
High N’ Wicked The Wild Rover Single Malt Irish Whiskey97$160 / 750ml
Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style Bourbon96$65 / 750ml
Redbreast 12 Years96$70 / 750ml
Jameson The Distiller’s Safe95$70 / 750ml
Colonel E.H. Taylor Small Batch Bourbon94$45 / 750ml
Redbreast Lustau Edition92$65 / 750ml
Redbreast 1591$115 / 750ml
The Dubliner 10 Year89$70 / 750ml
Tullamore D.E.W. 14 Year81$65 / 700ml
Jameson IPA Edition80$30 / 750ml
Redbreast Kentucky Oak Edition Irish Whiskey80$125 / 750ml
Don Julio 194280$190 / 750ml
Basil Hayden’s75$35 / 750ml
Jameson Irish Whiskey75$25 / 750ml
John L. Sullivan Irish Whiskey72$25 / 750ml
Tullamore Dew Caribbean Rum Cask Finish Irish Whiskey72$30 / 750ml
Bushmills 10 Year Irish Whiskey72$50 / 750ml
Clyde May’s Original Alabama Style Whiskey71$35 / 750ml
Teeling Small Batch Irish Whiskey70$40 / 750ml
Paddy’s Old Irish Whiskey70$20 / 750ml
Kirkland Irish Whiskey65$18 / 1500ml
Wellsley Farms Irish Whiskey65$28 / 1500ml
Drumshanbo Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey62$65 / 750ml
Stillhouse Black Bourbon61$20 / 750ml
Jameson Orange55$30 / 750ml
Buffalo Trace55$25 / 750ml
Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 Tennessee Whiskey51$30 / 750ml
Knob Creek Small Batch49$35 / 750ml
Blade And Bow48$50 / 750ml
Proclamation Irish Whiskey44$30 / 750ml
The Temple Bar Irish Whiskey40$60 / 750ml
Redemption Bourbon 40$30 / 750ml
Natterjack Irish Whiskey35$35 / 750ml
Baha Founders Reserve30$65 / 700ml
Woodford Reserve29$35 / 750ml
Breaker29$65 / 750ml
Pure Kentucky28$35 / 750ml
Stranahan's27$60 / 750ml
Egan’s Fortitude Irish Whiskey26$45 / 750ml
Winchester Extra Smooth Bourbon Whiskey15$30 / 750ml
Jack Daniel's Tennessee Honey10$20 / 750ml
Hill Billy Bourbon9$20 / 750ml
Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey5$25 / 750ml
The Busker Irish Whiskey4$35 / 750ml
Kavanagh Irish Whiskey3$25 / 750ml
The Balvenie 14 Years Caribbean Cask1$100 / 750ml
American XXX Born Bourbon Whiskey1$25 / 750ml
Pops McCann0$40 / 750ml
Silkie Irish Whiskey0$30 / 750ml

John L. Sullivan Irish Whiskey

John L Sullivan Irish Whiskey is a perfect dram when you are on a budget. Especially if you are looking for something to break it up a little in the Budget Whiskey category. The top three players in this segment are:

The marketing team went all out for John L Sullivan, making this boxer inspired bottle “The Sporting Man’s Whiskey”. Now let’s see how it holds up.

Sporting Man’s Whiskey

The Nose

As usual, I poured a dram into a Glencairn Glass and gently swirled it. The nose on John L. Sullivan Irish Whiskey hints at malt but its subtle and is mixed with a bit of ethanol. That alcohol can make it a bit harder to appreciate the things we all love about Irish Whiskey.

The Palate

The first sip has a few rough edges, but it also has a nice muted malt on the mid tongue that turns to Granny Smith apples and vanilla oak that slides into its finish.

The Score – John L. Sullivan Irish Whiskey

There are rough edges, and the nose and flavors are relatively basic. On the other hand this is a dirt cheap bottle and it sips easy. That is giving this points on the value side, offsetting some of the rough edges, which is why John L. Sullivan Irish Whiskey earned a 72/100 and I will grab another bottle next time I see it. It’s not going in my Whiskey Safe, but for those times when I’m watching a bad movie and eating pizza, this is a great Budget Whiskey.

Color

Light straw with a hint of gold.

Proof

40.0% ABV

Pros:

  • Dirt cheap.
  • Sips easy.
  • Great value for the dollar.

Cons:

  • There are a few rough edges, but at this price what do you expect?
BottleScorePrice
Redbreast Cask Strength97$100 / 750ml
High N’ Wicked The Wild Rover Single Malt Irish Whiskey97$160 / 750ml
Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style Bourbon96$65 / 750ml
Redbreast 12 Years96$70 / 750ml
Jameson The Distiller’s Safe95$70 / 750ml
Colonel E.H. Taylor Small Batch Bourbon94$45 / 750ml
Redbreast Lustau Edition92$65 / 750ml
Redbreast 1591$115 / 750ml
The Dubliner 10 Year89$70 / 750ml
Tullamore D.E.W. 14 Year81$65 / 700ml
Jameson IPA Edition80$30 / 750ml
Redbreast Kentucky Oak Edition Irish Whiskey80$125 / 750ml
Don Julio 194280$190 / 750ml
Basil Hayden’s75$35 / 750ml
Jameson Irish Whiskey75$25 / 750ml
John L. Sullivan Irish Whiskey72$25 / 750ml
Tullamore Dew Caribbean Rum Cask Finish Irish Whiskey72$30 / 750ml
Bushmills 10 Year Irish Whiskey72$50 / 750ml
Clyde May’s Original Alabama Style Whiskey71$35 / 750ml
Teeling Small Batch Irish Whiskey70$40 / 750ml
Paddy’s Old Irish Whiskey70$20 / 750ml
Kirkland Irish Whiskey65$18 / 1500ml
Wellsley Farms Irish Whiskey65$28 / 1500ml
Drumshanbo Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey62$65 / 750ml
Stillhouse Black Bourbon61$20 / 750ml
Jameson Orange55$30 / 750ml
Buffalo Trace55$25 / 750ml
Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 Tennessee Whiskey51$30 / 750ml
Knob Creek Small Batch49$35 / 750ml
Blade And Bow48$50 / 750ml
Proclamation Irish Whiskey44$30 / 750ml
The Temple Bar Irish Whiskey40$60 / 750ml
Redemption Bourbon 40$30 / 750ml
Natterjack Irish Whiskey35$35 / 750ml
Baha Founders Reserve30$65 / 700ml
Woodford Reserve29$35 / 750ml
Breaker29$65 / 750ml
Pure Kentucky28$35 / 750ml
Stranahan's27$60 / 750ml
Egan’s Fortitude Irish Whiskey26$45 / 750ml
Winchester Extra Smooth Bourbon Whiskey15$30 / 750ml
Jack Daniel's Tennessee Honey10$20 / 750ml
Hill Billy Bourbon9$20 / 750ml
Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey5$25 / 750ml
The Busker Irish Whiskey4$35 / 750ml
Kavanagh Irish Whiskey3$25 / 750ml
The Balvenie 14 Years Caribbean Cask1$100 / 750ml
American XXX Born Bourbon Whiskey1$25 / 750ml
Pops McCann0$40 / 750ml
Silkie Irish Whiskey0$30 / 750ml

The Dubliner 10 Year

I’ve had this bottle of The Dubliner 10 Year in the back corner of my Whiskey Shelf for a few months but it finally cycled to the top of the list, and I am very happy it did.

The Dubliner is a Single Malt, traditional copper pot still Irish Whiskey that is aged in Bourbon Casks for 10 Years. I am super excited to try this Single Malt after thoroughly enjoying its blended brother The Dubliner.

The Dubliner 10 Year
The Dubliner 10 Year

The Nose

The nose on this 10 Year Old Irish Whiskey is a treat. It is full of malt, vanilla, and honey that has notes of fruit and spice all around its edges. It is lovely, complex, and swirling.

The Palate

The mouth feel is clean and crisp. This is a very Sip Worthy, smooth whiskey. When I reviewed The Dubliner blended version I was impressed. That version scored an 80/100 at a very affordable price point of around $30 bucks.. The Dubliner 10 Year takes the goodness from the blended version and adds several layers of lovely complexity. The front of the tongue sings with honey and malt that rapidly turns to woody vanilla on the mid tongue that just as quickly turns to dark fruits and dry oak that comes from all those years in the Bourbon Casks.

The Score – The Dubliner Irish Whiskey

The Dubliner Single Malt earned every point of its 89/100 points.

Color

Light and rich amber.

Proof

42.0% ABV

Pros:

  • Lovely, swirling, complex nose.
  • Deep, clean, rich flavors that highlight the time spend in those Bourbon Casks.

Cons:

  • I haven’t seen another bottle in my local stores, and now I have to add it to my “must buy” if I see it list.
  • New Irish Whiskey drinkers will really enjoy this, but maybe start them on the blended The Dubliner version and build up to this more matured version.
  • I know prices vary widely from state to state, and even from store to store, but if this comes close to a bottle of Redbreast 12, well, I have to go with the Redbreast 12.
BottleScorePrice
Redbreast Cask Strength97$100 / 750ml
High N’ Wicked The Wild Rover Single Malt Irish Whiskey97$160 / 750ml
Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style Bourbon96$65 / 750ml
Redbreast 12 Years96$70 / 750ml
Jameson The Distiller’s Safe95$70 / 750ml
Colonel E.H. Taylor Small Batch Bourbon94$45 / 750ml
Redbreast Lustau Edition92$65 / 750ml
Redbreast 1591$115 / 750ml
The Dubliner 10 Year89$70 / 750ml
Tullamore D.E.W. 14 Year81$65 / 700ml
Jameson IPA Edition80$30 / 750ml
Redbreast Kentucky Oak Edition Irish Whiskey80$125 / 750ml
Don Julio 194280$190 / 750ml
Basil Hayden’s75$35 / 750ml
Jameson Irish Whiskey75$25 / 750ml
John L. Sullivan Irish Whiskey72$25 / 750ml
Tullamore Dew Caribbean Rum Cask Finish Irish Whiskey72$30 / 750ml
Bushmills 10 Year Irish Whiskey72$50 / 750ml
Clyde May’s Original Alabama Style Whiskey71$35 / 750ml
Teeling Small Batch Irish Whiskey70$40 / 750ml
Paddy’s Old Irish Whiskey70$20 / 750ml
Kirkland Irish Whiskey65$18 / 1500ml
Wellsley Farms Irish Whiskey65$28 / 1500ml
Drumshanbo Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey62$65 / 750ml
Stillhouse Black Bourbon61$20 / 750ml
Jameson Orange55$30 / 750ml
Buffalo Trace55$25 / 750ml
Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 Tennessee Whiskey51$30 / 750ml
Knob Creek Small Batch49$35 / 750ml
Blade And Bow48$50 / 750ml
Proclamation Irish Whiskey44$30 / 750ml
The Temple Bar Irish Whiskey40$60 / 750ml
Redemption Bourbon 40$30 / 750ml
Natterjack Irish Whiskey35$35 / 750ml
Baha Founders Reserve30$65 / 700ml
Woodford Reserve29$35 / 750ml
Breaker29$65 / 750ml
Pure Kentucky28$35 / 750ml
Stranahan's27$60 / 750ml
Egan’s Fortitude Irish Whiskey26$45 / 750ml
Winchester Extra Smooth Bourbon Whiskey15$30 / 750ml
Jack Daniel's Tennessee Honey10$20 / 750ml
Hill Billy Bourbon9$20 / 750ml
Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey5$25 / 750ml
The Busker Irish Whiskey4$35 / 750ml
Kavanagh Irish Whiskey3$25 / 750ml
The Balvenie 14 Years Caribbean Cask1$100 / 750ml
American XXX Born Bourbon Whiskey1$25 / 750ml
Pops McCann0$40 / 750ml
Silkie Irish Whiskey0$30 / 750ml

Tullamore Dew Caribbean Rum Cask Finish Irish Whiskey

Tullamore Dew is always a safe bet. If I’m not sure what I want, Tullamore Dew is always a good choice. It is a solid dram which is affordable, and good straight up or over the rocks. Because I’m on a journey to try every whiskey that Tullamore offers, I picked up this Tullamore Dew Caribbean Rum Cask Finish when I saw it.

My Tullamore Collection to date:

Tullamore Collection

The color of this Tullamore Dew Rum Cask Finish is a deep straw color.

The Nose

Per my usual, I poured a dram into a Glencairn Whiskey Glass and swirled it gently to bring the nose up. It is sweet with a bit of ethanol. It is nice, but not overly complex. I searched for something on the nose that called out the time spent in the rum casks

The Palate

The mouth feel is fresh and clean and the flavor really changes as it moves over the tongue. The front of the tongue is all sweet vanilla that transitions into very soft butter cookies on the mid tongue and then fishes with oak and rum. The finish is really where the time in the rum casks really shines.

Tullamore Dew Caribbean Rum Cask Finish
Tullamore Dew Caribbean Rum Cask Finish

The Score – Tullamore Dew Caribbean Rum Cask Finish

This Tullamore Dew Rum Cask Finish really shines as a smooth, affordable sipper. This is a very Sip Worthy offering and scored a 72/100. It is not overly complex, but it is very tasty, and worth the $30 to $35 that I’ve found it at.

Color

Deep straw.

Proof

43.0% ABV

Pros:

  • Affordable when found near the $33 mark.
  • Lovely sweet vanilla on the opening and finishes with oaky rum.
  • You can’t go wrong with Tullamore.

Cons:

  • The first sip has a little roughness that rapidly goes away.
  • If you are a purest and don’t like ice or a touch of water you won’t be able to appreciate this whiskey as much.
BottleScorePrice
Redbreast Cask Strength97$100 / 750ml
High N’ Wicked The Wild Rover Single Malt Irish Whiskey97$160 / 750ml
Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style Bourbon96$65 / 750ml
Redbreast 12 Years96$70 / 750ml
Jameson The Distiller’s Safe95$70 / 750ml
Colonel E.H. Taylor Small Batch Bourbon94$45 / 750ml
Redbreast Lustau Edition92$65 / 750ml
Redbreast 1591$115 / 750ml
The Dubliner 10 Year89$70 / 750ml
Tullamore D.E.W. 14 Year81$65 / 700ml
Jameson IPA Edition80$30 / 750ml
Redbreast Kentucky Oak Edition Irish Whiskey80$125 / 750ml
Don Julio 194280$190 / 750ml
Basil Hayden’s75$35 / 750ml
Jameson Irish Whiskey75$25 / 750ml
John L. Sullivan Irish Whiskey72$25 / 750ml
Tullamore Dew Caribbean Rum Cask Finish Irish Whiskey72$30 / 750ml
Bushmills 10 Year Irish Whiskey72$50 / 750ml
Clyde May’s Original Alabama Style Whiskey71$35 / 750ml
Teeling Small Batch Irish Whiskey70$40 / 750ml
Paddy’s Old Irish Whiskey70$20 / 750ml
Kirkland Irish Whiskey65$18 / 1500ml
Wellsley Farms Irish Whiskey65$28 / 1500ml
Drumshanbo Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey62$65 / 750ml
Stillhouse Black Bourbon61$20 / 750ml
Jameson Orange55$30 / 750ml
Buffalo Trace55$25 / 750ml
Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 Tennessee Whiskey51$30 / 750ml
Knob Creek Small Batch49$35 / 750ml
Blade And Bow48$50 / 750ml
Proclamation Irish Whiskey44$30 / 750ml
The Temple Bar Irish Whiskey40$60 / 750ml
Redemption Bourbon 40$30 / 750ml
Natterjack Irish Whiskey35$35 / 750ml
Baha Founders Reserve30$65 / 700ml
Woodford Reserve29$35 / 750ml
Breaker29$65 / 750ml
Pure Kentucky28$35 / 750ml
Stranahan's27$60 / 750ml
Egan’s Fortitude Irish Whiskey26$45 / 750ml
Winchester Extra Smooth Bourbon Whiskey15$30 / 750ml
Jack Daniel's Tennessee Honey10$20 / 750ml
Hill Billy Bourbon9$20 / 750ml
Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey5$25 / 750ml
The Busker Irish Whiskey4$35 / 750ml
Kavanagh Irish Whiskey3$25 / 750ml
The Balvenie 14 Years Caribbean Cask1$100 / 750ml
American XXX Born Bourbon Whiskey1$25 / 750ml
Pops McCann0$40 / 750ml
Silkie Irish Whiskey0$30 / 750ml

See all Irish Whiskeys!

Drumshanbo Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey

Drumshanbo

Have you ever heard of Drumshanbo Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey before? It was a new one on me, and whenever I see a new Irish offering I have to get it, even if the price is $65 for an unknown offering. In Irish, Drumshambo is “Droim Seanbhó”, which translates to “ridge of the old huts”.

Drumshanbo Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey
Drumshanbo Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey

The first thing I noticed was how light this whiskey is. It is a very soft yellow.

The Nose

The nose is equally soft. I would describe it as a single note of honey and hay with just a touch of vanilla that ends with just a hint of butter cookies. It is nice, but muted.

The Palate

The mouth feel is clean with just a touch of oil. The front of my tongue is all sweet honey and vanilla but it quickly turns to more acid an oak on the mid tongue and finish. That finish is what really cost this whiskey points for me. There is just a lot of acid that isn’t balanced out by anything else.

The Score – Drumshanbo Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey

At the end of the day, Drumshanbo Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey scored a 62/100, way under performing its price point.

Let me know if you agree in the comments.

Color

A very soft yellow.

Proof

40.0% ABV

Pros:

  • Who doesn’t love to try new Irish Whiskey?
  • If you like strong cereal notes mixed with honey and vanilla you will like these flavor profiles.

Cons:

  • Way overpriced at $65 bucks.
  • Too many sharp edges on the finish. Some of them are funky, and not in a good way.
  • For this price I expect more butter cookies in the flavor profile. Isn’t that why I drink Irish Whiskey?
BottleScorePrice
Redbreast Cask Strength97$100 / 750ml
High N’ Wicked The Wild Rover Single Malt Irish Whiskey97$160 / 750ml
Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style Bourbon96$65 / 750ml
Redbreast 12 Years96$70 / 750ml
Jameson The Distiller’s Safe95$70 / 750ml
Colonel E.H. Taylor Small Batch Bourbon94$45 / 750ml
Redbreast Lustau Edition92$65 / 750ml
Redbreast 1591$115 / 750ml
The Dubliner 10 Year89$70 / 750ml
Tullamore D.E.W. 14 Year81$65 / 700ml
Jameson IPA Edition80$30 / 750ml
Redbreast Kentucky Oak Edition Irish Whiskey80$125 / 750ml
Don Julio 194280$190 / 750ml
Basil Hayden’s75$35 / 750ml
Jameson Irish Whiskey75$25 / 750ml
John L. Sullivan Irish Whiskey72$25 / 750ml
Tullamore Dew Caribbean Rum Cask Finish Irish Whiskey72$30 / 750ml
Bushmills 10 Year Irish Whiskey72$50 / 750ml
Clyde May’s Original Alabama Style Whiskey71$35 / 750ml
Teeling Small Batch Irish Whiskey70$40 / 750ml
Paddy’s Old Irish Whiskey70$20 / 750ml
Kirkland Irish Whiskey65$18 / 1500ml
Wellsley Farms Irish Whiskey65$28 / 1500ml
Drumshanbo Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey62$65 / 750ml
Stillhouse Black Bourbon61$20 / 750ml
Jameson Orange55$30 / 750ml
Buffalo Trace55$25 / 750ml
Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 Tennessee Whiskey51$30 / 750ml
Knob Creek Small Batch49$35 / 750ml
Blade And Bow48$50 / 750ml
Proclamation Irish Whiskey44$30 / 750ml
The Temple Bar Irish Whiskey40$60 / 750ml
Redemption Bourbon 40$30 / 750ml
Natterjack Irish Whiskey35$35 / 750ml
Baha Founders Reserve30$65 / 700ml
Woodford Reserve29$35 / 750ml
Breaker29$65 / 750ml
Pure Kentucky28$35 / 750ml
Stranahan's27$60 / 750ml
Egan’s Fortitude Irish Whiskey26$45 / 750ml
Winchester Extra Smooth Bourbon Whiskey15$30 / 750ml
Jack Daniel's Tennessee Honey10$20 / 750ml
Hill Billy Bourbon9$20 / 750ml
Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey5$25 / 750ml
The Busker Irish Whiskey4$35 / 750ml
Kavanagh Irish Whiskey3$25 / 750ml
The Balvenie 14 Years Caribbean Cask1$100 / 750ml
American XXX Born Bourbon Whiskey1$25 / 750ml
Pops McCann0$40 / 750ml
Silkie Irish Whiskey0$30 / 750ml

Teeling Pot Still Irish Whiskey

Teeling Pot Still Irish Whiskey is 50% malted and 50% unmalted barley that has been triple distilled and matured in American Virgin Oak, Bourbon casks, and Sherry casks. It is said to be created using the Dublin method, but I can’t find a lot of detail on what that actually means.

So no let’s get to the important part – enjoying it.

Teeling Pot Still Irish Whiskey
Teeling Pot Still Irish Whiskey

The Nose

The nose is a mix of cereal with hints of cut flowers.

The Palate

This Teeling Pot Still Irish Whiskey has a nice light golden straw color.

The mouth feel is clean, but as soon as the whiskey gets to my mid tongue it is all jangly and rough edged. There is a touch of leather and then the finish just takes those rough edges and pushes it to full throttle.

The Score – Teeling Pot Still Irish Whiskey

Is it drinkable? Yes, and it scored a 67/100, making it just barely into the Sip Worthy category – but I am grading it harder than I might have otherwise because it was $70 bucks, which is a lot of money. At the $70 price point I expect smooth, butter cookies from my Irish whiskey offerings.

If you want to try my all time favorite Irish Whiskey grab yourself a bottle of Red Breast Cask Strength. It is only a few bucks more and worth every penny.

Color

Light golden brown.

Proof

40.0% ABV

Pros:

  • I’m always excited to try Irish Whiskey I haven’t had before.
  • Pleasant nose that hints of cereal and cut flowers.

Cons:

  • Way too expensive at $70.
  • Rough edges on the mid tongue and the finish.
  • The nose is the best part.
BottleScorePrice
Redbreast Cask Strength97$100 / 750ml
High N’ Wicked The Wild Rover Single Malt Irish Whiskey97$160 / 750ml
Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style Bourbon96$65 / 750ml
Redbreast 12 Years96$70 / 750ml
Jameson The Distiller’s Safe95$70 / 750ml
Colonel E.H. Taylor Small Batch Bourbon94$45 / 750ml
Redbreast Lustau Edition92$65 / 750ml
Redbreast 1591$115 / 750ml
The Dubliner 10 Year89$70 / 750ml
Tullamore D.E.W. 14 Year81$65 / 700ml
Jameson IPA Edition80$30 / 750ml
Redbreast Kentucky Oak Edition Irish Whiskey80$125 / 750ml
Don Julio 194280$190 / 750ml
Basil Hayden’s75$35 / 750ml
Jameson Irish Whiskey75$25 / 750ml
John L. Sullivan Irish Whiskey72$25 / 750ml
Tullamore Dew Caribbean Rum Cask Finish Irish Whiskey72$30 / 750ml
Bushmills 10 Year Irish Whiskey72$50 / 750ml
Clyde May’s Original Alabama Style Whiskey71$35 / 750ml
Teeling Small Batch Irish Whiskey70$40 / 750ml
Paddy’s Old Irish Whiskey70$20 / 750ml
Kirkland Irish Whiskey65$18 / 1500ml
Wellsley Farms Irish Whiskey65$28 / 1500ml
Drumshanbo Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey62$65 / 750ml
Stillhouse Black Bourbon61$20 / 750ml
Jameson Orange55$30 / 750ml
Buffalo Trace55$25 / 750ml
Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 Tennessee Whiskey51$30 / 750ml
Knob Creek Small Batch49$35 / 750ml
Blade And Bow48$50 / 750ml
Proclamation Irish Whiskey44$30 / 750ml
The Temple Bar Irish Whiskey40$60 / 750ml
Redemption Bourbon 40$30 / 750ml
Natterjack Irish Whiskey35$35 / 750ml
Baha Founders Reserve30$65 / 700ml
Woodford Reserve29$35 / 750ml
Breaker29$65 / 750ml
Pure Kentucky28$35 / 750ml
Stranahan's27$60 / 750ml
Egan’s Fortitude Irish Whiskey26$45 / 750ml
Winchester Extra Smooth Bourbon Whiskey15$30 / 750ml
Jack Daniel's Tennessee Honey10$20 / 750ml
Hill Billy Bourbon9$20 / 750ml
Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey5$25 / 750ml
The Busker Irish Whiskey4$35 / 750ml
Kavanagh Irish Whiskey3$25 / 750ml
The Balvenie 14 Years Caribbean Cask1$100 / 750ml
American XXX Born Bourbon Whiskey1$25 / 750ml
Pops McCann0$40 / 750ml
Silkie Irish Whiskey0$30 / 750ml

Saltgrass Steakhouse

Saltgrass Steakhouse
Saltgrass Steakhouse

While in Florida we hit up Saltgrass Steakhouse because it reminded us of the Longhorn franchises we have back home. I would rank the food as being about the same, which is decent food at a reasonable price. Nothing amazing, but it is a good meal for a good price. At least that was the way I was thinking until they brought me out their Barrel-Aged Manhattan:

Manhattan Recipe
Manhattan Recipe

This is a very well made Manhattan. It has just enough sweetness from the Vermouth and the Benedictine D.O.M. to make it sing. Those flavors pair so well with the oak from the Balcones Post Still Bourbon.

Barrel Aged Manhattan
Barrel Aged Manhattan

Saltgrass Steakhouse Scoring

It is well rounded, delicious, and I am now on a quest to find the required bottles so I can try and reproduce this masterpiece of a Manhattan. I’m giving Saltgrass Steakhouse a 91/100. The Manhattan was top notch, but I took some points away because its basically a chain restaurant that hit it out of the park with its Manhattan.

Sadly, unless I can find a Saltgrass outside of the state of Florida, I won’t be back anytime soon. I’m boycotting the state as long as DeSantis is allowed to support policies that promote hate and result in the suffering in the LGBTQ community.

PlaceLocationScorePrice ScaleDrink
Cinder BarClarksboro, NJ96High CostManhattan
Saltgrass SteakhouseOrlando, FL91Moderate CostManhattan
The Irish WhisperNational Harbor, MD90High CostIrish Whiskey
The Dead RabbitNew York, NY75High CostMultiple
Iron Hill BreweryWilmington, DE71High CostKentucky Connection
Harry’s Savoy GrillWilmington, DE67High CostManhattan
Boulevardier
Ted’s Montana GrillNewark, DE66Moderate CostNewly Fashioned
Creekside InnWoodstown, NJ65Low to ModerateManhattan
AlewifeRichmond, VA63High CostManhattan
roanokeChicago, IL55High CostBlack Manhattan
Blue Line Lounge & BarChicago, IL53Low CostManhattan
Da AndreaNew York, NY50High CostManhattan
Negroni
Iguana CafeChicago, IL45Moderate CostManhattan
The Greene TurtleNewark, DE40Moderate CostManhattan
Restaurante Montserrat ManorPunta Cana, DR35High CostManhattan
Dave & Buster'sDeptford, NJ30Moderate CostManhattan
Cock'n BullLahaska, PA26High CostManhattan
Old Fashioned
The Brass TapNational Harbor, MD25Moderate CostManhattan
Carrol's Creek CafeAnnapolis, MD21High CostManhattan
Big Fish GrillWilmington, DE10High CostManhattan
The LegendNew Castle, DE5Low CostManhattan
TGI FridaysNew Castle, DE1Moderate CostManhattan

Cost Scale

Up to $30 per person – Low Cost

$31 to $50 per person – Moderate Cost

$51 and above per person – High Cost