3/8/2015
We attended the North Texas Irish Festival, Whiskey tasting event.
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Table of Contents
Overview
This year, there were NO Scotch whiskeys. Irish dominated the venue:
- Tullamore Dew
- 2 Gingers
- Jameson
- Powers
And, an “Irish vodka”: Bonn Oir
Tullamore Dew
Two words: Complete Crap
We spoke to the rep, and asked for a single malt. We were told that they don’t offer a “single malt”
[Edit: Irish whiskeys are referred to as “single grain”, if they are not blended. Scotch whiskeys are “single malt” if they are not blended]
I asked the rep which one SHE prefers, and she said, she didn’t have a preference. So, she’s selling the product, but she’s not familiar with the product??
Our group had an experienced whiskey drinker, a semi-experienced drinker, and a novice Scotch / Irish whiskey drinker. All three of us agreed that Tullamore Dew was the worst at the venue. Even the “12 year” sucked (how can you have an “aged blended” whiskey??)
They had a “corner lounge” within the event, and had a photograph event, where they attempted to pack as many people in to the lounge as possible, then photograph it.
Did we get a free shot, or some other recognition? A coupon? NO. We got “thanks! Get out!”
They don’t know whiskey, they don’t know how to treat their customers, and they don’t seem to care.
2 Gingers
This was a surprise!
A young whiskey, it had a very peaty taste, but very complex flavors for such a young whiskey. I expect to see good things from them, as their reserve stock ages ;-)
I DO RECOMMEND!
Jameson
Jameson is my de-facto favorite.
I have been wanting to try the Jameson Black Barrel, and they had the “regular” and Black Barrel varieties, so I tried the Black Barrel variety.
I love Jameson, but unfortunately, “Black Barrel” is just another cheap attempt to charge more money for a maple or caramel-infused version of the “regular” version, referred to as “dark”, “black”, or “select”
Jameson Black Barrel was absolutely nothing special.
HOWEVER, Jameson (regular) is my favorite Irish whiskey, hands down!
Powers
Powers is excellent.
I had not heard of Powers until a few weeks ago. The rep shared that she had not heard of Powers until a couple of days ago, but that she DOES know whiskey, and, being an experienced whiskey drinker, she was impressed! (So was I!)
I had the Powers Gold Reserve, and I DO RECOMMEND!
As much as I hate to admit it, Powers has a more rounded flavor profile than Jameson!
Bonn Oir (Vodka)
The label says “1916”, but I’ve never heard of it.
Tasting for the first time, it’s obviously a grain vodka. The rep said “white grain”.
I suggested a vanilla flavor profile, to which the rep responded that a lot of people had been identifying flavors that are not in the product, suggesting that perhaps whiskey on the pallet was carrying over. I know better. As I continued, the “vanilla” flavor mellowed to a cane sugar taste.
They denied it, but….
I’m very interested in this “Irish vodka”. Sweet, grainy flavor profile.
Summary
Don’t waste your time with Tullamore Dew. Apparently, they are a “big name” in Irish whiskey, but they suck.
Powers is the best overall! A little more expensive than Jameson, the flavor profile is more complex.
2 Gingers is definitely up-and-coming. Well worth a taste!
Jameson is still my favorite, but don’t waste the extra money on the “black barrel” variety.
Bonn Oir (Vodka) – WHERE CAN I BUY A CASE OF THIS???