What Is The Best Jameson Irish Whiskey

Knappogue Castle 12 Years Old

Knappogue Castles signature whiskey is made from triple distilled copper pot stills and aged in American barrels for 12 years. This is a refreshing and incredibly drinkable Irish whiskey nuanced with hints of cinnamon and apples.

This is a sophisticated and lighter drink that can be enjoyed best in summer. It can be used as a foundation or a light drink in a long cocktail. Its delicate and spice-filled flavor combination makes it ideal for any occasion.

Jameson Black Barrel Cocktails & Shots

The best way to drink Jameson Black Barrel is also in mixed drinks, cocktails and shots. This is because its another simple and easy to drink whiskey thats tasty, sweet and smooth.

For some it may also be a good whiskey to drink neat. This is because it has more flavors than the standard expression.

However, its only slightly more interesting and many experienced whiskey drinkers will want far more complexity from their daily sipper.

On the other hand, the additional flavors do make this a higher-quality whiskey for a higher-quality cocktail or shot.

Some popular whiskey cocktails that taste great with Jameson Black Barrel include:

How To Drink Jameson Irish Whiskey

Jameson is a delightful sipper for the whiskey connoisseur. Enjoy any expression from this brand neat or open up the aroma with a little ice in a rocks glass, also known as a lowball or Old Fashioned glass. For any that are 80 proof, water is really not necessary because it’s smooth enough straight out of the bottle. The flagship bottle of Jameson is, however, not as smooth as some other Irish whiskeys. It is reasonably priced and, considering its reliability and versatility, that difference is minimal and relatively insignificant.

This whiskey makes a pleasant cocktail ingredient. Jameson is as iconic as the famous Irish coffee and a natural fit for that recipe. It works exceptionally well with ginger ale and is a nice whiskey base for tonic water. Its popularity in bars has also ensured that Jameson regularly makes its way into shot glasses, whether straight or mixed into a shooter.

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Best Small Batch: Teeling Small Batch Irish Whiskey

Courtesy of Reserve Bar

ABV: 46% | Age: Up to 6 years, then another 6 to 9 months | Volume: 750 ml

Straight out of Dublin, Teeling Small Batch shows off the family’s two centuries of experience crafting fine whiskeys. It’s made from grain and malt whiskeys aged in hand-selected bourbon barrels, then finished in former rum casks for an additional six months. This finishing gives Teeling a unique character not found in the average Irish whiskey and offers drinkers a novel experience.

Bottled at 46 percent ABV without chill filtering, this small-batch whiskey offers a full-bodied taste with underlying tropical fruit tones and an invigorating spicy and woody finish. The fact that its also priced in the mid-range of whiskeys is simply a bonus. Feel free to mix it in the Massey and similar high-end whiskey cocktails.

Jameson 18 Years Neat

Theres only one way to drink Jameson 18, and that is sipped neat. Its aged for more than a decade longer than the standard expression, so it has far more depth and complexity. There are lots of well-integrated flavors to spend time tasting and exploring.

Its also very expensive so no one in their right mind would even consider drinking it in a cocktail let alone in shots. Yes, Im a snob.

If youre a fan of the Jameson profile youll love drinking the 18 neat as its the Jameson character, only more.

Some people are apprehensive about drinking whiskey neat in general because of the high alcohol content level. However, this whiskey is incredibly smooth, more so than the standard expression, so if youre planning on experimenting with drinking whiskey neat, this is the whiskey to use in your test.

Also Check: What’s Good With Spiced Rum

Best For Irish Coffee: Kilbeggan Single Grain Irish Whiskey

Courtesy of Flaviar

ABV: 43% | Age: NAS | Volume: 750 ml

In a catchy phrase that explained how to make the iconic cocktail, the bartender who created the Irish coffee called for WhiskeySmooth as the Wit of the Land. Kilbeggan Single Grain definitely fits the bill. Youd almost swear it was made for mixed drinks, and it comes at a guilt-free price.

Single grain means that the whiskey was produced in one location using malted barley and at least one other grain. In this case, its corn, which adds a wonderful sweetness that plays remarkably well off the flavors of bourbon barrel aging. Hints of nutmeg, butter, and vanilla accent the oaky palate. The 86-proof whiskeys depth of flavor is the perfect backdrop for the cocktails strong coffee sweetened with brown sugar and topped with cream.

Is Jameson A Single Malt

Jameson Irish Whiskey uses a mix of malted and unmalted barley in their Irish Whiskey in a single pot still. It can’t be referred to as a SingleMaltWhisky, because the term SingleMaltisused to refer to whiskies made using only malted barley. People would usually refer to JamesonIrish Whiskey as a Blended Whiskey, which is the result of blending different types of whiskies and grains.

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Best Splurge: Knappogue Castle 16 Year Old Single Malt Irish Whiskey

Courtesy of Drizly

Region: Ireland | ABV: 40% | Tasting Notes: Honey, toasted nuts, dried fruit

Aged for a minimum of 14 years in bourbon barrels and finished in Oloroso sherry casks , this rarefied Irish whiskey is luxury in a glass.

With apricots, honey, and toasted nuts on the nose, it shows up soft and velvety on the palate with a long, lingering finish, and it certainly deserves to be enjoyed straight. Rivaling some of the top bourbons and Japanese whiskeys in quality, this is the bottle you break out after a successful dinner party. Plus, at around $100 , its a splurge you can justify.

The Best Way To Drink Jameson Irish Whiskey

It is not strong and overpowering. Quite the opposite actually, which makes it a good sipping whiskey. Its best served neat at room temperature to experience the pure flavor and aroma. Some also prefer it to be on the rocks to give the flavors much more spark. Try chilled whiskey stones rather than ice to keep the flavors subtle.

If you like it to be more interesting, Jameson also tastes well in cocktails. Here are a few you can start with:

• Irish Paloma Jameson whiskey mixed with lime juice, and citrus soda. Rimmed with chamoy and tajin, this cocktail is perfect for the summer beach vibes.
• Ginger & Lime keep it simple with this classic cocktail consisting of Jameson whiskey, ginger ale, and a squeeze of lime.
• Jameson Cold Brew Iced Latte For coffee lovers, mix in Jameson Cold Brew with cold brew coffee and make it creamy with heavy whipped cream.
• The Bloody Molly the typical Bloody Mary brunch cocktail with a twist. Instead of vodka, use Jameson Irish Whiskey.

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Was Jameson Irish Whiskey

Asked by: Ms. Lily Vandervort Jr.

Jameson Irish Whiskey is a blended Irish whiskey. … Well first we take the best of pot still and fine grain whiskeys. Then we triple distil them – not because we have to because we want to as it gives it its signature smoothness. Finally, we age them in oak casks for a minimum of 4 years.

Best Value: Slane Irish Whiskey

Region: Ireland | ABV: 40% | Tasting Notes: Caramel, vanilla, dried fruit

Slane hails from the Boyne River Valley, which was once home to many other distilleries, and is one of the few that has revitalized the tradition. Distilled on the grounds housing the old Slane Castle, this Irish whiskey is aged in a selection of three different casks: virgin oak, seasoned whiskey, and Oloroso sherry. Its bold and layered with flavors of caramel, vanilla, and dried fruit. With its rich history, complex flavor, and pedigreed musical ties , this affordable bottling is a steal.

It works in a variety of ways, says Alicia Yamachika, lead bartender at Nobu Honolulu. The three different casks it ages in all add a little something different to be enjoyed. Tame the spice with an ice cube or use its heft to your advantage in a cocktail like an old fashioned or a New York sour.

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“I’m a big fan of Slane Whiskey. It’s really lovely on its own, but because of its soft and approachable profile, it works well in lighter whiskey cocktails. And you can’t beat the price point.” Prairie Rose, Editor

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Jameson Irish Whiskey And How It Is Made

It is highly crucial to understand how the #1 Irish Whiskey in the world is made so that you can appreciate its versatility.

Jameson Irish Whiskey is produced in Midleton, Ireland, though the original home of the brand is in Dublin. The company has been running since 1780 and has developed and perfected the art of producing the premium quality, top shelf, and smoothest Irish whiskey in the world today.

Jameson Irish Whiskey is composed of both malted and unmalted barley the use of the latter uniquely defines Irish whiskey, giving it that creamy feel it is known for. The barley also imparts other flavors such as fruit and spice.

The Jameson distillery also ferments maize and malt during the production process. These are the grains that provide the final product with floral tones in aroma and taste. The combination of each and every one of these flavors make Jameson Irish Whiskey adaptable to a wide variety of drinks and incredibly special.

Jameson Caskmates Ipa Edition Neat / Cocktails

There are also two ways to drink Jameson Caskmates IPA Edition neat and in a cocktail.

Once again, its great to drink neat especially for those who like IPAs because its aged in barrels that previously held IPA, so it has the usual light, grassy and fruity Jameson flavor profile with a citrus and hoppy bitterness from the IPA.

And it can be drunk side by side with an IPA for comparison. And side by side with the Stout Edition for comparison.

Its also great for cocktails because its not so complex or expensive so you wouldnt be wasting anything.

Two cocktails Jameson have created especially for this whiskey are:

1. The Jameson IPA Shandy

Ingredients:

• Add all the ingredients except beer to a shaker and shake
• Pour into a high ball glass
• Fill the rest of the glass with beer
• Garnish with a mint sprig

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Main Differences Between Jameson Vs Bushmills

The main differences between Jameson vs Bushmills are:

• Jameson comes with a mellow flavor on the nose along with hints of spice and floral scents, whereas Bushmills has undertones of vanilla along with tangy pleasantly sharp floral flavor on the palate.
• Jameson hails from Catholic-rich County Cork, whereas Bushmills originates from Protestant-heavy Northern Ireland.
• Jameson was founded in 1780 by a Scottish guy names John Jameson after he purchased the Bow Street Distillery one of the biggest distilleries in Ireland at the time -, whereas Bushmills was officially licensed in 1608 by King James I.
• Jameson is owned by a French liquor conglomerate known as Pernod-Ricard, whereas Bushmills is owned by an English firm called Diageo.
• Jameson contains 104 calories per serving, whereas Bushmills showcases 98 calories per service.

Compared To Other Alternatives

Kilbeggan

The Kilbeggan is a blended Irish whiskey with double distillation. The smoothness and sweet aftertaste of the brands come from the quality ingredients and a minimum of four years aging in ex-bourbon barrels.

It is a light and refreshing drink with more notes kicking after a few sips. You can get a 750ml bottle of Kilbeggan for about $20, which is very affordable for its finish.

Knappogue Castle 12 Year Old

Knappogue Castle 12 year old is a vintage whiskey with triple distillation and single malt whiskey from Ireland. For twelve years, it is aged in a bourbon cask to produce a nicely balanced and fruity character of this drink best for cocktails.

It has a rich and spicy finish priced at roughly $60 per 750ml, not far from brands like Jamesons 12-year-old.

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Bushmills

One of the largest competitors of Jameson Irish Whiskey is the Bushmills. Bushmills product is fine, lighter, and thinner compared to Jamesons. The Black Bush by Bushmills is produced to compete with Jameson Black Barrel.

However, instead of using charred bourbon barrels, Bushmills uses Oloroso Sherry Casks. A bottle of 750ml costs approximately $28, which is not far from Black Barrel. See more on Jameson vs Bushmills here.

Proper No. 12

The Proper No. 12 was launched last 2018 to compete with Jameson and other brands. The UFC superstar Conor McGregor owns the line.

Tullamore D.E.W

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The Quiet Man 8 Year Old Single Malt Irish Whiskey

ABV: 40%

The Quiet Man is a collaborative effort between St. Louis-based Luxco Company and Niche Drinks in Derry, Northern Ireland, making this the first Irish whiskey bottled in Derry in over a century. The single malt is aged for eight years, and its low ABV makes this an excellent easy-drinking dram.

Alternatives To Jameson Irish Whiskey

If youre looking for similar triple-distilled blended Irish whiskies, here are some good alternatives.

• Tullamore D.E.W Irish Whiskey blend of grain, malt, and pot still whiskies tasting of sweet, fruity, spice. Tullamore follows close behind the best-selling Jameson in the blended Irish whiskey.
• Bushmills Irish Whiskey a combination of single malt and grain whiskies. It has a smooth taste of fresh fruit and vanilla notes.
• Powers Gold Label blended whisky from pot still and grain. Its well-loved for its cinnamon, green pepper, nutmeg taste with a hint of orchard fruits, vanilla, and toasted oak.
• Paddys Irish Whiskey blend of malt, grain, and pot still whiskies. The Paddy is light and crisp with flavors of nuts, malt, and charred wood.

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Bushmills 21 Year Single Malt Irish Whiskey

On the wild north coast of Ireland, the Bushmills Distillery has stood proud for over 400 years. Established in 1608, it claims to be the oldest licensed distillery in the world. With water sourced from the River Bush and named after the mills that made the Barley, Bushmills is an Irish whiskey icon.

Aged in Oloroso sherry and bourbon-seasoned casks, the 21 Year Single Malt Irish Whiskey is Bushmills pièce de résistance. With a nose of rich toffee, honey, spiced fruit notes and dark mocha, followed by a chewy palate and sweet syrupy finish, you cant go wrong with this one.

Youll see many describe Bushmills 21 Year Single Malt as the best Irish whiskey for those that have developed a taste for whiskeys. This ones well worth a try!

Is Bushmills Better Than Jameson

Bushmills is just a touch more complex than Jameson, while also being just a hint smoother. … Woody flavors are a little more subtle here than in the Jameson. If you have a few more bucks to spend, the Bushmills Black Bush is a nice splurge, with a little more malted barley in the blend, and a little less grain whiskey.

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Jameson Irish Whiskey Cocktails & Shots

The best way to drink Jameson Irish Whiskey is in mixed drinks, cocktails and shots. This is because its a cheap yet light and easy to drink whiskey thats tasty, sweet and smooth.

This makes it great for shots where you want something cheap but also something pleasant and easy to drink that will go down smoothly. Often the cheaper whiskeys that are used for shots are also unpleasant. Which is usually the reason why theyre the cheaper whiskeys used for shots.

It also makes it great in mixed drinks or cocktails. Being light and clean allows it to blend well with other flavors. And the tasty, sweet and smooth Jameson character is distinctive enough that you can pick it out of your cocktail but light enough that it doesnt dominate the whole drink.

Some of the best things to mix with Jameson are:

Some popular whiskey cocktails that taste great with Jameson include:

• The honey julep

Jameson have even created a lot of their own whiskey cocktails which you can find here.

The reason why sipped neat is not one of the best ways to drink this whiskey is because while its tasty it doesnt have that many flavors. This is due to the fact that its a relatively young whiskey so it didnt have time to become more mature and complex.

Thats why the best way to drink Jameson Irish whiskey is in mixed drinks, cocktails and shots.

Faqs About Irish Whiskey

Is it necessary for Irish whiskey to be triple distilled?

No. there is no strict requirement for three distillations. During the early part of the 19th century, double-distillation, as well as triple-distillation, was performd in Ireland.Although triple-distillation in pot stills are still incredibly popular, there are several examples of double-distilled whiskeys that are similar to those obtained from Scotland.

Why is Irish whiskey not smoky?

When smoke is perceived in whiskey, in most cases, it has to do with the way malted barley is dried over a fire that is fueled by peat or other aromatic substances. However, this practice is no longer common when producing whiskey in Ireland.But a few peated examples such as Connemara, etc. still exist.

Which Irish whiskeys are referred to as Catholic and which ones are called Protestant?

Jameson along with a few other Irish whiskeys are produced at Midleton, County Cork and are known as Catholic.Bushmills, on the other hand, is produced in Northern Ireland, and is typically christened Protestant. The surprising thing here is that most Bushmills products make use of Midleton grain whiskey and both of these Irish companies have foreign ownership, i.e. Casa Cuervo as well as Pernod Ricard respectively.

Is it possible for Irish whiskey to have an age statement?

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