Tastes

In the 1970’s and up to 1984, Irish Distillers Limited sold small quantities of Jameson 12YO and 15YO . These were in the green “cognac-like” bottle with a brown label. They were considered a more premium product. The whiskey was distilled at the historic Bow Street distillery in Dublin's Liberties, and to modern tastes would be considered quite heavy. Production ceased in 1984 when they were replaced by Jameson1780 in a similar style bottle. Nose - Husky, petrol and apricot. Yeasty notes and some plastic as well. Hints of grass and old leather. Taste Dark wood mixed with bitter chocolate and heavy coffee. Almonds. An old whiskey taste. Finish Medium long. Dry - bitter with strong cask taste - perhaps pine at the end. Great present, thanks Charlie. (credit to published reviews - on which I built mine)

This whiskey was distilled and laid down in Midleton Distillery, Cork, in June 1992. Maturing for 20 years in cask number 31431 – it is a triple distilled, single cask, Single Pot Still whiskey which was specially selected and bottled to mark the occasion of the visit of An Taoiseach Enda Kenny T.D. to Midleton Distillery on the 25th May 2012. The visit was to celebrate the commencement of the distillery’s €100m expansion programme. The whiskey matured in a second fill bourbon barrel, (31431) in warehouse M10 Bay 015, it is 46% non-chilled filtered. This whiskey was not put out on general release – guess there are 250 bottles produced. Nose: Butterscotch and diary fudge with ripening banana. Delicate grapefruit, melon sorbet and a hint of menthol, balanced with vanilla and toasted oak. Taste: Mouth coating Pot Still with sweet flavours of vanilla, toffee, milk chocolate, cinnamon and clove. Pot Still spices with barley grains taking the final bow. Finish: The delicate balance of flavours slowly tapers to the focus of Pot Still whiskey – the barley. (credit to published reviews - on which I built mine)

Bottle no 58 out of only 600 – produced in October 1997. Entirely matured in a fresh sherry barrel for over 17 years and bottled at cask strength - 58.5%. Taste - Thick, oily and mouth-filling. Chewy and spicy with some more rum-like touches. Flavours of roasted nuts, caramel toffees, liquorice, orange peel, old oak, Oloroso sherry, leather and dark chocolate. Finish - Very long with a rich spiciness. Beautiful thick and fruity. Best in its class that Ive tasted. (credit to published reviews - on which I built mine)

The original Powers Distillery was located on John's Lane just off Thomas Street - in Dublin's Liberties (where the best whiskey was invented). This whiskey matured in ex-bourbon barrels and finished off for a small amount of time in ex-sherry casks. Nose - Distinct cocoa and mocha overtones with hints of dried apricots, orange peel and marshmallow. Taste - Soft and smooth. Crisp and spicy - element of bittersweet fruit, marmalade and toffee apples. Velvety texture Finish - Chocolatey with some dusty oakiness Best whiskety Powers has top offer. I bought on recommendation of fine bar man in Peruke & Periwig bar, Dublin, having spent a lonely afternoon there with my missus. (credit to published reviews - on which I built mine)

Nose - Fresh tropical fruits, nuts and rich dried fruit. Taste - Soft vanilla, taste of the oak and sherry plus the typical Pot Still spices. Very fruity and creamy. Finish - Lingers a long time - creamy. This is a top class whiskey - one of the best and a personal favourite. (credit to published reviews - on which I built mine)

I’m actually afraid to open the bottle until I know more about it. It is a rare bottle of pure Pot Still whiskey dated from 1950s/1960s. There are no content statements for fluid or alcohol. This is what is known as Bonders Whiskey ie brewed by Jameson - sold in barrels to Dublin grocers who bottled it - labels supplied by Jameson and the shop would type it’s name as bottler. A.Millar was located in the Liberties - Thomas Street in Dublin. Third party bottling ceased in mid 1960s. I believe the bottle is worth €1,000 to €2,500. Would love to know more about it, have given it a 5 in the interim (hope it is that good)

Nose - Pot Still spices enhanced by Irish Oak. Vanilla, Chocolate, Honey, Coffee. Rich ripe fruit. Taste - Typical Pot Still spices - clove and cinnamon - sweet chocolate and apple Finish - exceptionally long. Sweet spices and Irish oak The whiskey does not have an age - but has been matured between 15 and 22 years. I managed to get 3 bottles - the 2 that’s left Cask is bottle 177, Tree 4, batch 1 and bottle 289, Tree 7, batch 1. Master Distiller Brian Norton. (credit to published reviews - on which I built mine)