Learning to Love Irish Whiskey

Aqua vitae in Latin, uisce beatha in Gaelic, the water of life, or whiskey for short, was introduced sometime in the 12th century. One of the first alcoholic drinks available in Europe, Irish Whiskey is made from grain and was once the most popular spirit in the world. With war between the Irish and the British and Prohibition in the U.S., production declined from the late 19th century to the early 20th century. Luckily today, Irish whiskey distilleries are once again abundant.

Enjoying Irish whiskey is as much about delighting in its characteristics as it is about appreciating its journey. Fortunately, the professionals at Joe Canal’s of Lawrenceville, NJ are here to guide you further into the delights of this storied beverage.

Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey

By law, Irish whiskey must be aged for at least three years in wooden casks in Ireland. Unique to Ireland, single pot still Irish whiskey is made from a mash of malted and unmalted barley which is triple distilled in copper still pots within a single distillery.

Redbreast 12

A bartender favorite, Redbreast 12 is aged 12 years in American oak barrels for a natural, full-flavored taste. A vibrant golden color and honeysuckle aroma is paired with lightly smoky notes of honey, dried fruit, ginger, and cinnamon.

John Powers

Fruity and spicy with some peppery notes, John Powers Irish whiskey has a big flavor with a long lingering spicy finish. It offers a satisfying, yet complex, drinking experience.

Single Malt Irish Whiskey

Single Malt Irish whiskey is distilled from a mash of malted barley alone without adding other grains or fermenting sugars. Matured in wooden casks for three years, the whiskey must come from one distillery.

The Irishman

The Irishman Single Malt Irish whiskey is triple distilled and aged in sherry and bourbon casks for at least 10 years before bottling. Fruity notes of creamy vanilla, malt chocolate, and barley are joined by hints of licorice and amber on the nose. On the palate, expect pine nuts, citrus fruits, and cake.

Connemara

Connemara Peated Single Malt Irish whiskey is made using the traditional Irish custom of drying malted barley over peat fires. The smoke that rises through the malted barley during this process gives the whiskey a distinct peaty flavor and aroma.

Irish Grain Whiskey

Irish grain whiskey is made from one or more grains including malted barley, corn, wheat, or rye. The fermented liquid is distilled using a three-column process and then matured for a minimum of three years. The resulting whiskey may have flavors of toffee, vanilla, and apples.

Glendalough

Matured in American bourbon barrels then finished in Spanish Oloroso Sherry casks for a period of six months, Glendalough Double Barrel is a single grain Irish whiskey. Rich in vanilla and caramel flavors, it also has notes of Christmas spices and dried fruit.

Blended Irish Whiskey

Some of the best-known Irish whiskeys today are blended. Blended Irish whiskey is made from a mixture of single malt distillations from either the same or different distilleries. This mixing technique gives the blender the ability to reach the specific taste and other characteristics desired.

Jameson

Triple distilled to deliver twice the smoothness, Jameson Irish Whiskey has been around since 1780. A balancing act between malted and unmalted barley and triple distilled single pot still and grain whiskeys, this whiskey is expertly blended for exceptional smoothness. Toasted wood and vanilla notes from Bourbon casks are married with the sweet, nutty flavor of Sherry casks.

Tullamore Dew

Known for its smooth and gentle complexity, Tullamore Dew Irish whiskey is patiently aged in a combination of retired Bourbon and Sherry casks which lend a nutty note with a vanilla finish. A floral biscuit flavor comes from the grain whiskey, while soft, spicy notes are attributed to the pot still whiskey in the blend. The citrus flavor comes from the malt.  

Irish Whiskey captures a time and place in terms of how the ingredients are handled at every step of the way. To nurture your love for Irish Whiskey, visit Joe Canal's Discount Liquor Outlet of Lawrenceville, NJ.