Irish recommendations

The Knappogue Castle 16 could prove to be interesting. I believe it's a Bushmills "boutique" offering.

I've never tried the Knappoque line, but Ralfy has: www.youtube.com/watch. I think he gave it an 89, which ain't bad. It's hard to find most places, but probably easier in Ireland.

Generally speaking, i really don't much care for Irish whisky, or even bourbon for that matter. I stick to Scotch.

I had a Bushmills 1608 that blew me away about two years ago. Bought a bottle last year and it was terrible. Tasted nothing like the first bottle. If you can get a good 1608 you wouldn't be disappointed. Not sure if they can be had, but at the Bushmills distillery, I think your parents might be able to get one like the first one I tasted that was just fantastic.

Rebreast cask strength is great

Jameson gold reserve is really nice

I second what @Maltmark said. That's what I brought back when I went. I rated it as a 94 at first but I had a dram the other day and I thinking I may drop its score down to 91 or so. Don't get me wrong it's a great whisky, however it just didn't knock me off my feet after tasting even more great whiskies since its review. I'm a scotch drinker mainly, but it's still my favorite Irish whisky.

@StevieC, Redbreast 12 Cask Strength is great-tasting, though the range of its flavours is less than some other styles of whisk(e)y. Redbreast 12 CS WAS distributed in the US market, so it has been in North America, though, as you know, it never made it to the LCBO. It is now very scarce in the US, so it would be accurate to say that you'd have a very difficult time finding it in North America now. When it came to the US, it sold out very quickly. There may be another US release to come in the near future, though.

If I could find a "decent" price for it in Ireland, I'd be tempted to pick up a bottle of Jameson Rarest Vintage Reserve. That is a very exclusive bottle of Irish whiskey, with very little of it outside of Ireland. A " good price" for the Rarest Vintage Reserve would be anything under $ 275. Yes, it is quite expensive, but it is also quite excellent.

Update on those prices: looks likes Jameson Rarest Vintage Reserve can currently be had in some US outlets, including as close to you as Albany, NY, for as low as $ 240 plus tax. I'd consider a bottle of it in Ireland at around $ 200, if I could find it. I can get a bottle of it in my own neighborhood in Maryland, but it would cost $ 350 here.

@StevieC: A few years ago, I would, without hesitation, have opted for Connemara Cask Peated 58% abv. This was a magnificent drop and when we could find it, we always bought a few! When the label changed (the cask was added), under the new management, the Whiskey changed as well: It is now less than a shadow of its' former self! And, there was a price hike of Au.$45.00: Oh, no, no, no!

If you can find one of the older expressions, in some dingy pub, perhaps, you are in for a treat, if you can't, go for the Redbreast, which is highly recommended - It is very expensive here in Aust. even the 40%abv.

Good Luck.

@Victor: Here in Aust. Dan Murph'ys has the Jameson Rarest Vintage Reserve for Au.$599.99 - It's an on-line exclusive, which begs the question, "Does anyone actually buy this Whiskey?" That's 6 bottles of a'bunadh, (almost), thank you very much!

Cheers and Good Luck.

im not a big fan of irish whiskey generally. i find most of them lacking in the flavor department, with the main component of the taste being alcohol. kinda like someone poured a little scotch into vodka to flavor it. not too surprising since theyre usually distilled multiple times like vodka. that said, i have had one or two that were nice, with a light grassy flavor, not unlike a lowland scotch. unfortunately, i dont remember which they were.

@Victor Dang I'll stick to Octomore it is roughly around $120 to $140 price range, and is a stones throw from Ireland. :)

@A'bunadhman, you know the more I hear from some of you guys about the cost of whisky in Australia, the more inclined I am to think that you have it even worse than Canadians! I thought the LCBO was bad... But after hearing some of the prices you boys pay down under.... Ouch! ; )

Thanks rigmorole, maltmark, simon88, and Victor for your suggestions. I had a bottle of Jameson Rarest, which I had purchased from the LCBO for $300. Duty free in Dublin charges around $350 Euros (I'm pretty sure) Needless to say, I traded my bottle for a Bowmore 25. Oh well. I was thinking along the lines of Barry Crockett Legacy, or the Irishman Cask Strength, or even going less expensive with a bottle of Teeling Small Batch. Regardless, I am opting for something on the rare side. I know Redbreast is a cult favourite, however, I'm not sold on the regular 12 year old (40% abv). I guess I'm a bit of a fuss ass.

@CanadianNinja: This is the home page of Dan Murphy's.

danmurphys.com.au/dm/home.jsp

Click on Spirits and Mixers for a wander through wonderland: It's not all 'ouch' but if it's something the others haven't got expect to be mauled!

Slainte!