Hell-Cath Maggie is distilled at the Cooley Distillery in Lough, Ireland and bottled in the US by Philips Distilling Co. What does that actually mean? I think it means this blended Whiskey is put together from bulk production using mixed grains for its blended whiskeys.
Hell-Cat Maggie Irish Whiskey
The Nose
I poured a dram into a Glencairn Whisky Glass and swirled it before nosing. Unlike a single malt distilled in a pot still, there are no butter cookie notes. I mention that because its one of the things I love about Irish Whiskey. The first thing I appreciate with this whiskey is a mixture of ethanol and leather.
The Palate
There is a hint of sweetness on the front of my tongue that quickly turns jagged and edgy on the mid tongue before finishing rough. For a 40% ABV, 80 Proof whisky it feels higher proof. That’s not a good thing. The alcohol really washes out any subtle notes the whiskey might have – if they are actually hiding in there at all.
The Score
Hell-Cath Maggie scores 32/100, making it suitable for Mixers or On Ice. It is a bit too rough and doesn’t have enough finer notes to sip at straight from the bottle. At $25 bucks I have better options that don’t have the rough edges. My first choice would be Paddy’s Old Irish Whiskey which I can get for a few bucks cheaper if I drive a little bit. My second choice would be to just pony up a few more bucks and grab a bottle of Jameson.
Color
A dark yellow that looks mildly artificial.
Proof
40.0% ABV
Pros
Who doesn’t want to try a new Irish Whiskey?
It really makes me appreciate Paddy’s which I can get at near the same price.
Cons
There is alcohol in it if you want to use this for mixed drinks, but its not suitable for sipping.
I have to be honest with you when I tell you that I bought this bottle of Fighting Cock Bourbon as a joke. One of my older boys was turning 25 and I thought this would be a funny gift – which he then left at my house when he departed.
Fighting Cock Bourbon
This bottle of Fighting Cock has sat in a dark corner of my whiskey shelf for a few months since then, at least until I tweaked my back a little. That means I’ve only been driving or going out for critical activities. Sadly, buying booze is not a critical activity.
This Fighting Cock is tops if your budget is under $20 bucks. It is rough, and has strong flavors, but if you are on a budget, this is a great choice. Don’t let the overall score of 58/100 and the fact that this is technically in the Mixed Drinks Only category fool you. As a budget option, this was pretty good.
Pros
So very affordable.
If you like a spicy whiskey and don’t mind a few rough edges this is a great buy.
Your mom will tell you she doesn’t like the whiskey’s name.
Cons:
So very affordable. This could be bad if you have a problem with self control.
It has a plastic, screw off cap. I know, I’m a whiskey snob, but what I am supposed to do when I collect whiskey corks?
I’m embarrassed to say I like drinking “Fighting Cock”
Grace O’Malley Believe in Grace is a new offering. How new? In honor of the 16th century Irish pirate queen, Grace O’Malley Spirits was launched in 2017. When it comes to distilling Irish Whiskey, anything under a few decades is incredibly young. The brand that would become Redbreast started in 1903. Jameson sprung to life in 1780!
Grace O’Malley Believe in Grace
According to the Grace O’Malley home page, they’ve most recently won awards in 2021.
Now we get to see how a babe in the woods holds up to the long standing champs in the Irish Whiskey world. Will those awards hold up? We are about to find out.
The Nose
As usual I start by pouring a dram into a Glencairn Whisky Glass. I swirl it a little before nosing and sniffing very gently. The swirling really brings the alcohol forward, making it hard to appreciate the aromas hiding under the ETOH. Once the alcohol settles I do appreciate vague notes of vanilla.
The Palate
Grace O’Malley Believe in Grace has a clean mouth feel. There is just a hint of sweet on the tip of my tongue that hints at something nicer. Unfortunately that all falls apart once the whiskey gets to my mid tongue. What start as clean and mild goes wild on the mid tongue. Lots of edges that turn to a rough finish.
The Score
Grace O’Malley Believe in Grace scores a 31/100, putting it at the bottom of the Mixers or On Ice category. The rough finish really killed the enjoyment for me. Putting it over the rocks didn’t actually help much. There are just a lot of jagged edges on this finish.
Color
A medium yellowish that reminds me to drink more fluids.
This West Cork blended Irish whiskey is ultra affordable at just $30 per bottle.
West Cork Irish Whiskey
The Nose
The nose is subtle. It hints at vanilla and spice but it is underwhelming. It is subtle and not at all “in your face”.
The Palate
That subtleness continues from the nose into the palate. This whiskey is smooth and goes down easy, but its also very light and simple. The flavor profile is relatively flat. It has a note of sweet that is easily overpowered with even a splash of water or a few ice cubes.
I enjoyed this bottle of West Cork and put it in my Everyday Whiskey category. If you enjoy Irish Whiskey and want to keep an affordable bottle on hand to enjoy with friends, this should be on your list.
The Score – West Cork Irish Whiskey
Overall it scored a 77/100, making it Sip Worthy. It’s positive and negatives are closely linked. It’s smooth, but simple, making it an easy sipper, especially if you are new to whiskey, but that simplicity also means it might leave you wanting more depth and complexity.
I picked up my bottle of Jameson Triple Triple Travel Exclusive in the airport in Jamaica. This would have been no problem when I had a direct flight home, but due to Covid, that flight was cancelled. So after paying for the whiskey and finding out I would need to exit security, check a bag with the whiskey in it, and then pick it up at my destination, I was seriously thinking about throwing the bottle out a window.
Frustrated
I never check luggage, and when I land I just want to get to my car and get home. So instead of my normal routine I took my backpack, wrapped my whiskey in a travel blanket and cushioned it with my neck pillow, and checked the backpack.
I figured I had a 50/50 chance of the bottle arriving intact.
Did I mention I hate checking luggage? I was honestly going to leave my backpack at the airport and go home, because my son’s girlfriend was flying in the next day, so I figured if it was still there, I’d just pick it up the next day.
But…
I’m an idiot who left his car keys zipped into the little pocket at the top of the backpack, so I had to wait at luggage pickup anyway.
I half expected my bag to be soaking wet when I got it off the belt. Thankfully it was dry, and when I got home the only damage was to the bottle cap:
Banged up Jameson Triple Triple cap.
Jameson Triple Triple Travel Exclusive is made in Midleton Distillery, County Cork, Irland. It is now on my bucket list to visit before I bite the big one.
Jameson Triple Triple is triple distilled and then blended from a selection of whiskey aged in bourbon and sherry casks. They then throw in a few hand-selected casks that have been seasoned with fortified wine from Malaga. This is what adds those hints of citrus, fruit, and that delectable sweet spiciness.
I am so glad my bottle of Triple Triple survived. I’m also sad that I’m going to have a hard time getting more. The nose will remind you of regular Jameson for obvious reasons, but it adds more depth and complexity. The time spent in the Malaga casts adds a nice dry spice to the finish that I find really enjoyable.
If I can find it, this is a bottle I will put in my Whiskey Safe. Jameson Triple Triple scored an 85/100, making it very Sip Worthy.
Color
Deep golden yellow.
Proof
40.0% ABV | 80 Proof
Pros:
Sweet nose ends in fruit and spice.
Incredibly smooth.
Takes regular Jameson and kicks it up a notch with more depth and complexity.
Cons:
Can you find it?
I’ve looked at several of my usual online stores, and none of them carry this. It appears that I really am going to have to buy an international ticket if I’m going to get another bottle anytime soon.
Monkey Shoulder is a blended Scotch created by blending three famous Speyside single malts. Monkey Shoulder is made by William Grant & Sons, who also makes Glenfiddich, The Balvenie, Sailor Jerry, Tullamore Dew, and Hendrick’s Gin. It is an interesting mix of brands, and that variety of skills really shows through in this Monkey Shoulder.
Monkey Shoulder
Those of you who are regular readers of Whiskey Dreams know that I’m not usually a huge fan of Scotch. I’m not a lover of the smoke as it were, so I tend to steer my selections towards Irish Whiskey and American Bourbon. So how did I get this bottle of Monkey Shoulder? I have to thank Steph!!! She was originally a girlfriend of one of our boys (still is) who became a family friend in the process. My wife and her went out for lunch last weekend and Steph grabbed this bottle of Monkey Shoulder as a present. It’s amazing how life works out. I wouldn’t have picked a Scotch off the shelf in all likelihood, and I would have been missing out if I hadn’t tried this Monkey Shoulder.
The Nose
The nose has a nice wood char mixed with spice that transitions into vanilla and end on orange peels. It has a great nose that I could honestly sniff all day.
The Palate
The palate is smooth and easy to sip. The smoke is there, but its soft and blends well with the vanilla, orange zest, and just kind of trails off on the back of your throat as it finishes.
The Score – Monkey Shoulder
For me, this is the perfect Scotch. There is smoke, but its soft and not overpowering, making this Sip Worthy with a score of 79/100.
Color
Light golden yellow.
Proof
40.0% ABV | 80 Proof
Pros:
Amazingly affordable.
Great introduction to a smooth, mildly smoky Scotch.
Nice mix of wood smoke, spice, and orange zest that gently fades on the back of the tongue.
Accessible in both taste profile as well as in availability. A quick search shows the major liquor stores carry it.
Cons:
If you really don’t like smoke, this does have a nice, mellow smoke that just kind of trails off gradually.
McConnell’s Irish Whisky was apparently very popular before I was born. Up until 1958 it was known world wide as a solid Irish Whiskey choice. The dram that is available now in 2020 may not be what’s available in a few years. Why? Conecuh Brands is working with Great Northern Distillery until a new, dedicated facility is built, which will be the future source of these bottles.
The current dram is a blend of 5 year and younger whiskeys, or if you want to be true to the McConnell’s branding, whisky.
McConnell’s Irish Whisky
The Nose
I poured way too much into this Glencairn Whisky Glass! Oh well, I guess I’ll have to sip it down a little first. The nose is pleasant. It’s light and full of cereal and malt and is quite enjoyable on the nose.
The Palate
The first note on the pallet is sweet and malty but its quickly overpowered with a bit of alcohol burn that really shows this whiskeys rough edges on the finish.
The Score – McConnell’s Irish Whisky
Overall this is Sip Worthy, but only barely. McConnell’s Irish Whisky scored a 66/100
Color
Deep golden yellow.
Proof
42.0% ABV | 84 Proof
Pros:
Dirt cheap. I picked up this bottle for $25.
Great budget bottle if you want quantity over quality.
There are some sweet butter cookies under the rougher edges of the dram.
Cons:
The first note on the tongue is sweet followed by butter cookies, but instead of lingering, its quickly overpowered.
A friend at work mentioned this Fistful of Bourbon so when I saw it on the end cap at my local liquor store I figured I’d pick up a bottle and give it a try.
Fistful Of Bourbon
Fistful of Bourbon is a blend of whiskey combined from five different whiskeys. The marketing material brags about having 100 years of experience blending whiskey.
How did they do? Well, I have to be honest that I was a little worried when I first searched for the website and the very first thing I see is a page about cocktails.
Why is this the first page? Well, to be honest I don’t think this is a whiskey the creators figured would be a sipper.
The Nose
I poured a dram into a Glencairn Whisky Glass and swirled it a bit to bring the nose up. That nose starts with alcohol burn that slowly reveals some charred wood underneath. It was strong enough that I was curious if I lost some nose hairs.
The Palate
The first sip is consistent with the nose. The initial taste is strong alcohol and jagged edges that slowly fades. It does open up with a little bit of water with does let you appreciate some of the more subtle flavors. There is wood char and spice there, but the alcohol burn just barely lets it poke through here and there.
The Score – Fistful Of Bourbon
For me this Fistful of Bourbon scores a 53/100, putting it firmly in Mixed Drinks Only territory.
Color
Light brown.
Proof
45.0% ABV | 90 Proof
Pros:
It should be cheap .
The bottle is very nice. I like the old fashioned squarish bottle. It reminds me of the bottles I found at my grandfathers house as a kid.
Cons:
The online price is nearly $15 bucks cheaper if I had looked there first. $40 bucks is just too much for this bottle.
Lots of alcohol burn and sharp edges. The alcohol overpowers any other flavors that might be hiding here.
Mr. Whiskey is a blended Irish offering that is matured in IPA Casks. At $22 this is what I’d describe as a budget offering, but don’t let that scare you off, this dram punches way above its price point.
Mr. Whiskey
The Nose
I poured an oversized dram into a Glencairn Whisky Glass and swirled it gently before putting my nose to the glass. The nose is floral with hints of malt. This is a gentle, subdued nose which is perfect for the beginner.
The Palate
The mouth feel is light and watery and opens with sweet vanilla that turns to malt as it reaches the mid tongue. The finish is more malt mixed with just a hint of butter cookies that ends with just a flash of roughness.
The Score – Mr. Whiskey
Mr. Whiskey scored a 70/100, making it Sip Worthy, but more importantly, this whiskey also made into my Whiskey Safe. At this price to value, I plan to keep a bottle on my shelf at all times.
Color
Light straw color.
Proof
40.0% ABV
Pros:
Classic Irish notes.
Amazing price to value.
Cons:
Incredibly affordable as anywhere close to $22 bucks.
While it is an easy sipper, there isn’t a lot of depth here.
There is a little roughness on the finish, its not overbearing, but it is there.
Jameson 18 is a blended whiskey that is created from two pot-still whiskeys mixed with a portion of single grain whiskey. It’s initially aged in ex-bourbon and ex-Oloroso sherry casks, then moved to first-fill bourbon barrels before bottling.
Let’s start by saying that the last few weeks of my life have been completely nuts. There was a layoff, then a job offer, then a much better job. So a happy ending, but a crazy week.
How did I mourn friends and colleagues I will no longer get to work with and celebrate a new beginning at the same time? I went out and bought a bottle of this Jameson 18 Year.
The Nose
The nose on this Jameson 18 Year is surprising. I’m not sure what I was expecting, but it wasn’t this. There is a pronounced ethanol/alcohol on the first sniff. It’s not quite a burn, and it doesn’t smack you in the face, but it is there, and it does overpower some of the other more nuanced notes. Those nuanced notes are wood and spice and just a touch of malt and sherry. Overall I was quite surprised with how mellow the nose was. I was expecting more complexity, but it just wasn’t there. After about 15 minutes, the alcohol notes fell off and I did get a mix of honey with the malt.
The Palate
The front of my tongue was honey, but the mid tongue and finish were all wood char and spice. I was honestly expecting a bit more smoothness and some butter cookies, which is what I associate with good Irish Whiskey, but the 18 Years spent in barrels clearly infused this with a lot of oak, char, and sherry. To me that finishes just a little rough.
I enjoyed this Jameson 18, but at the same time I have to take into account the price of this whiskey compared to its overall taste. I will drink this Jameson 18 every time you offer it to me – but it’s not making its way into my Whiskey Safe and I’m honestly not likely to buy another bottle.
Why?
The packaging is really cool. The wooden box and bottle packaging is top notch – but whenever there is this much quality on the packaging side I worry about what I’m really paying for. I’m guessing a decent part of the $140 I paid for this Jameson 18 went into the packaging. That means that this whiskey doesn’t quite stand up against some cheaper offerings.
Jameson Distiller’s Safe scored a 95/100 and is in the $70 range. Redbreast 12 is in a similar price point and scored a 96/100. Both are roughly half the price.
The Score – Jameson 18 Year Irish Whiskey
That price to value makes it hard to score Jameson 18 with a high score. To be honest, regular Jameson is only $25 at the “super store” across state lines and while its not super complex, it is smooth and easy to sip. How do you compare a $25 whiskey and a $140 whiskey? For me, the taste to value has to be a part of that, and that is where Jameson 18 falls apart. Both these whiskeys score an 80/100, and that means that I’m going to choose the cheaper option here every time.
Is Jameson 18 more complex then regular Jameson? Yes, 100 percent. But not $115 worth, and that is the crush of the issue. I enjoyed sipping this Jameson 18, but I can’t see myself buying another bottle at $140. The cost to value just isn’t there.
Color
Sweet golden amber.
Proof
40.0% ABV
Pros:
Does Jameson put out any bad products?
If this is a gift or someone else is buying your drams, who’s going to turn this down?
I had this whiskey on my bucket list, and now I can check it off.
Cons:
At $140 this is just too much as there are offerings at half the price that beat this hands down.
I recently found Redbreast 12 at $70 and at half the price I’d take that every time.
I had this whiskey on my bucket list, and now I can check it off – does that mean I’m one step closer to dying?
