So, what are you drinking now?

As to @MadSingleMalt's question as to whether unmalted barley whiskey per se is the reason for the differences in flavours of Irish Pure Pot Still Whiskey vs the unique character of the Midleton Distillery's Pure Pot Still Whiskey, I see the cognitive lack of clarity. What settled the matter for me, long ago, is that the differences of the flavours of unmalted barley vs malted barley are exactly parallel to the differences of unmalted rye vs malted rye, viz. there is a sharper more pointed edged flavour which derives from the unmalted grain in both cases. For this reason I would be extremely surprised NOT to see these same sharp-edged flavours from Irish Pure Pot Still whiskey from distilleries other than Midleton in the future.

@OdysseusUnbound Yep, to each his own. I do like Jameson Black Bottle - and Islay Mist - I had forgotten about those two. BTW the best Irish blend I've ever had was Jameson Rarest Vintage Reserve, totally blew my mind (though many of my friends were unimpressed when I poured it for them). We could also throw in all the fine scotch blended malts there are (especially from indie bottlers), which seem to be more popular with connoisseurs than blends.

@talexander - fwiw my preference has a lot to do with vfm. In the UK a bottle of Jameson or Bushmills isn't going to cost all that much more than a blend like, say, Teachers; but the difference in quality is tangible, imo.

I think I'd agree with @Victor on the pot still content making them mix better with the grain, but who knows for sure? Perhaps the standard Irish grain is just that bit superior to your average Scotch grain? Would that be triple distilled also? I know little about column stills.

That said, I had a bottle of Tullamore Dew last year that was one of only two bottles in my life as a whisky nut I've not been able to finish. There was pot still in there, which helped, but the overall blend was rough and all over the place. Even ice didn't help!

@MadSingleMalt - I'd also agree with others that the pot still style is easily identifiable from single malts. I had the new Dunville 10 last year when I had Red Breast 12 open and the former was noticeably different. Pot still has a dirty coppery note that, to me, is unmissable.

Cue a blind tasting where I make a compete ass of myself with that last comment

@RianC To answer your question, if an Irish blend says it is triple-distilled, then all elements of the blend are triple-distilled. And I agree about Tullamore Dew, it's pretty substandard, though the older expressions are not bad. Standard Kilbeggan is kinda crappy too. I wish Bushmills had an aged, high end blend, as their older single malts are outstanding.

@Victor, am I correctly understanding your point if I lay it out as follows?

•You know pretty definitively the taste difference between unmalted rye vs malted rye, based on a number of experiences from a number of distilleries.

•You taste similar differences between Midleton's barley whisky (which includes an unmalted component) and other distilleries' barley whisky (which is all 100% malted).

•Therefore, you conclude that those differences are due to the unmalted barley, rather than Midleton's unique "distillery character" or whatever.

Yes?

If so, that sounds legit—and probably about the best we can do considering this "category" of whisky is only made at one joint! Thanks.

@MadSingleMalt , yes, that is exactly what I am saying, though the numbers of 100% malted rye whiskies are few. And, I might add, the only time I have ever tasted a whiskey made from malted wheat, I observed the same phenomenon as I did with barley and with rye, viz. the grain flavours from the malted wheat whiskey tasted much more soft and well-rounded than did the grain flavours from the many whiskeys which I have sampled made from unmalted wheat.

@talexander - thanks! I assumed that was the case but always best to check . . .

Don't think I've ever tried Bushmills single malt! It's my Dad's go to at the minute and I imagine it to be decent. I got him a Writer's Tears for his Bday last week and apparently he did a taste off to see which of that and the BMs went in the decanter and which went under lock and key! The WTs won hands down . . . told him he'd like it ;)

@RianC Although I love the Bushmills 10yo malt, many I know are not fond of it. But you'd be hard-pressed to find anyone who doesn't like their 16yo and 21yo. I would say I prefer all three of those over Writer's Tears (which is not a single malt)

Ah yes, Writers (sic) Tears! Now that's one that can further muddy the waters here!

@talexander - I will keep an eye out for the older Bushmills then, thanks.

I know that about Writers Tears; I thought it was quite an amusing anecdote given the conversation on the thread ;) It's a blend of pot still and malt, iirc, but I'm not sure if the Walsh distillery make their own pot still or source casks from Middleton? I rated my last bottle highly and, again, great vfm - about £25 - £30 over here.

Redbreast 12 YO. Not the cask strength version, although that one looks stellar. This is probably the best value/quality Irish whiskey available in Norway at the moment.

Also: I'm back from the dead, good to be around again!

@RianC Yes, I think it's a blend of pot still and malt.

Any unmalted barley in the mix makes it pot still, right? Therefore pot still plus single malt = pot still, just like standard rye-containing bourbon plus US rye = either bourbon or rye, depending on whether or not the final rye percentage in the mix makes it to 51% of the total.

@MadSingleMalt Tyrconnell does a single malt Irish whiskey , and I think it's produced by Cooley. I occasionally buy it for gifts and it has been well received.

@talexander Wait. Jameson Black Bottle? I’m confused. I thought you were referring to the Blended Scotch Black Bottle by Burn Stewart....

@talexander Writers’ Tears is best described as a blended malt. It is a vatting of pot still whiskey from a mash of malted barley and unmalted barley (Irish Single Pot Still) which is then mixed with an Irish single malt. I surmise that this combination is then barreled and aged.

Tonight, while watching the USA / Canada women’s gold medal ice hockey match up;

Finished off my Laphroaig 18 year (1998) Single Sherry Butt cask that I hand-filled at the distillery in April 2016. Sorry to see this one go. Exquisite dram.

Tobermory 10 year (July 2005) heavily peated Cask Strength Single Cask Nation Cask #10

Bruichladdich Octomore 07.1 (5 year old) 208 ppm Scottish Barley

As for hockey, all tied up going into over time. Whoever wins Gold, it has been a great game.

@OdysseusUnbound Sorry, my mistake - the Jameson expression is called Black Barrel. The blended scotch is called Black Bottle. I like them both.

@bwmccoy sounds like a good few drams there. Have you tried many other Tobermory? I had a bottle of the 15yo limited edition, without realising how limited edition and drank it all to quickly. Up there in my top 10 scotch whiskies

@talexander You had me confused and a little panicked for a second. I generally enjoy Jameson, and I thought I had missed one.

@Jonathan, right-o! With a few exceptions from the newer guys (like West Cork), I think pretty much all Irish single malts come from either Cooley or Bushmills.

TGIF...ECBP

@paddockjudge - great photo!

@Tom92 - thanks! I don’t think I’ve tried any other Tobermory’s, but if this one is any indication, they make some quality whisky. I’m blown away each time I have a dram of this single cask, heavily peated version.

Last night, an Aultmore 14 year (Sep. 2001) SMWS 73.78 "Zingy, effervescent and intriguing" from a refill, ex-sherry butt.

@paddockjudge I'm assuming that this is that at your place? What a fantastic display! I had picked up that you had a nice collection but it's great to see some of the laden shelves.

@Hewie, mon chez moi. I'm just a regular working stiff with an old and very modest home. I try to keep it simple, the simple things are often the best. Every year I buy a few more bottles, nothing outrageous, but I treat myself to a nice bottle here and there. At today's prices I'd never be able to repeat the feat. It is fun to share with friends and family...sometimes more fun with friends.

thanks @bwmccoy...some day we'll gather for an epic session!

@paddockjudge - That would be awesome! Look forward to making that happen one of these days!

@paddockjudge Oh my, how I wish the LCBO stocked its shelves as nicely as you do...

@paddockjudge Beautiful display and bottles. I bet you visit that room often just to admire the shelves, I know I would.

@Mancub, that room is the hideout! I share it with the Secretary of War and a 60" monitor. The only time we see the kids is when they are looking for food, money, or a ride...they are mostly beer and wine drinkers...probably too much brown juice in their formative years.

Friday night and can finally kick back, spent way too long shopping with my daughter but it's a good bonding moment.

Wild Turkey 101... Why did I wait so long to try this bourbon, wow this is dangerously tasty.