Scotch Whiskey vs. Irish Whiskey

[DSB]

Single malts are the only way to go for some of us. It's not always about being a snob.

I don't like many blends, whether Irish, Scotch, or Canadian. There's just something about most blends that sours my mouth and stomach.

Which Irish blends have you tried? I personally don't care for the basic blends by either Jameson or Bushmills. For some reason, though, Blackbush and Jameson 1780 have treated me very well. If you have not tried them, you may want to give them a try (I was going to say "give them a shot," but such a pun would be horrible). I especially find the 1780 to be a mighty fine sipper. If you don't like them feel free to send me the rest of the bottle.

[SiBurning]

Which Irish blends have you tried? I personally don't care for the basic blends by either Jameson or Bushmills. For some reason, though, Blackbush and Jameson 1780 have treated me very well. If you have not tried them, you may want to give them a try (I was going to say "give them a shot," but such a pun would be horrible). I especially find the 1780 to be a mighty fine sipper. If you don't like them feel free to send me the rest of the bottle.

I'm pretty sure I had a black bushmills. Will try it again. I'm not holding much hope for anything by Jameson. Bushmill seems to be more... how can I say it?... holistic. Then again, I can do one shot--really one sip--of anything, including scotch, only the second sip is ever difficult. Except for campari, which gets me on the first sip.

You're out of luck. Certain things, like Irish whisky and cognac, I only drink at bars. Besides, if I buy a bottle and don't like it, there's a bottle of glenfidich that needs company. It's lonely among all those bottles of dark rum, aged tequila, and Kentucky whiskey.

[DSB]

I'm pretty sure I had a black bushmills. Will try it again. I'm not holding much hope for anything by Jameson. Bushmill seems to be more... how can I say it?... holistic. Then again, I can do one shot--really one sip--of anything, including scotch, only the second sip is ever difficult. Except for campari, which gets me on the first sip.

You're out of luck. Certain things, like Irish whisky and cognac, I only drink at bars. Besides, if I buy a bottle and don't like it, there's a bottle of glenfidich that needs company. It's lonely among all those bottles of dark rum, aged tequila, and Kentucky whiskey.

The Bushmills "Blackbush" is a specific blend. It's different than the black label Bushmills (I think their standard blend also has a black label, but I'm not sure -- maybe the standard blend is white label). Enjoy the experimentation!

[The Knize]

The "blackbush" is a specific blend. It's different than the black label bushmills (I think their standard blend also has a black label, but I'm not sure -- maybe the standard blend is white label). Enjoy the experimentation!

Blackbush is made by Bushmills. It is finished in sherry casks. It is my favorites of the widely available Irish whiskeys and I think it is quality stuff no matter what one might put it up against. Something like Redbreast is really special. I have not had the opportunity to taste many of the rarer Irish whiskeys.

It does take something out of it to know that of the amazingly plethora of Irish whiskey brands are made by one of the two giant Irish distillers, Bushmills or Jamerson's, and that both are owned by the French firm Pernod-Ricard. Ireland really sold its soul in a way.

[Rusty Jackknife]

The big difference outside the actual molecules is that I often see many Scotch drinkers like to stick their noses in the bottle, roll around the drink in their glass, describe the bouquet, go on about the peaty/smokey/caramel/fruit/etc. notes; whereas Irish whiskey drinkers seem to drink the damn stuff, enjoy it, and laugh & dance.

[TonyH]

I cannot really comment on the particular differences between Scotch and Irish whiskey as I only really dabble in a couple brands of Scotch, i.e.: Glenmorangie, Highland Park, Laphroaig. I'm trying to expand my pallet but don't feel any hurry.

From what I've learn't from the many army "Scotch tasting's" or more truthfully "Scotch Drinking’s" is that distillers in Scotland lay sole claim to calling a whiskey a Scotch.

I think there is a Canadian whiskey maker that is dispute with Scottish distillers for calling one of their products scotch. I've always heard that you can't replicate Scotch outside of Scotland (Minerals in the water ect.) but I've never done the investigative drinking to look into that claim.

"I think there is a Canadian whiskey maker that is dispute with Scottish distillers for calling one of their products scotch."

That's Glen Breton distillery in Cape Breton. They make a single malt. My wife - who is the Scotch connoiseur - says it is on a par with the best single malts she's had from Scotland. As you said, there was a legal issue with Glen Breton using the term "Scotch". Instead, they call it a "single malt whisky".

Regards

This seems crazy to me. The name Scotch obvious came about due to the origin of the spirit. Just like Champagne only comes from a specific region, and Parma prosciutto as well, Scotch only can come from Scotland. Now, Scotch-style whisky would be another matter.

Also, I realize that there are legal protections for Parma and Champagne, but still...

[Walter Sobchak]

This seems crazy to me. The name Scotch obvious came about due to the origin of the spirit. Just like Champagne only comes from a specific region, and Parma prosciutto as well, Scotch only can come from Scotland. Now, Scotch-style whisky would be another matter.

Also, I realize that there are legal protections for Parma and Champagne, but still...

I didn't think Glen Breton called its product Scotch. I thought the issue with the Scotch Police was the use of "Glen" in the brand, which potentially makes consumers assume it's scotch. I believe the Glen Breton distillery is located in a township or county with "Glen" in the name, "Glen-something" or "something-Glen", so they were able to keep their brand intact when the case went to court.

Not sure I like the use of "Glen" in their name even if they say it's because of the town they're in. Seems a little cheesy, like they're cashing in on Scotch's pedigree and/or they're embarrassed or too good to call themselves Single Malt Canadian Whiskey.

[whavens]

I prefer both Scotch and Irish whiskey to bourbon. Tullamore Dew is probably one of my favorites, altohough you can't go wrong with 18 year old Jameson. Powers Gold Label is a good one as well. I have seen my girlfriend (a non drinker) tip a bottle of Powers back and take a nice pull off of it. The Glenlivet is a great starter, as it isn't too peaty. As far as I am concerned, there isn't a bourbon that hold a candle to either a decent Scotch or Irish whiskey.

[ksb63]

Tyrconnell single malt Irish, 15 yr old Glenfiddich cask strength are a couple above average that won't break the bank. Glenmorangie is also decent.

[Kazeryu]

Not sure I like the use of "Glen" in their name even if they say it's because of the town they're in. Seems a little cheesy, like they're cashing in on Scotch's pedigree and/or they're embarrassed or too good to call themselves Single Malt Canadian Whiskey.

But they DO call themselves single malt canadian whiskey.


Have you ever seen their packaging? It's pretty unambiguous - there are twelve words on the front of the box, and three of them (1/4 of all the words) are "Canada/Canadian". There's also a giant maple leaf for the sake of the semi-illiterate.

[TonyH]

Interesting. It seems that they're clearly labeled and not trying to pass off. If the Scots are against other distillers using the name of where they're based as the name for their product, I hope the Scots are out of luck.

[Walter Sobchak]

But they DO call themselves single malt canadian whiskey.


Have you ever seen their packaging? It's pretty unambiguous - there are twelve words on the front of the box, and three of them (1/4 of all the words) are "Canada/Canadian". There's also a giant maple leaf for the sake of the semi-illiterate.

Fair enough. I'll do my research next time. I just remember what I've read in the news and whiskey forums and thought it was an interesting case. Didn't mean to touch a nerve, just reporting recollections.

[Kazeryu]

Fair enough. I'll do my research next time. I just remember what I've read in the news and whiskey forums and thought it was an interesting case. Didn't mean to touch a nerve, just reporting recollections.

Didn't mean to come off angry at you - I've never even tasted the stuff myself. I guess it just annoys me to see that the whole issue has been played up as some great scandal/controversy when there's really nothing there at all.

But anyways - back to the topic of Irish whiskey and Scottish whisky.


Can anyone recommend a single-malt irish whiskey to me? I'm not sure that I've ever seen one in stores.

[feralhog]

There aren't a lot of single-malt Irish whiskeys. Off the top of my head, I can only think of Bushmills and Connemara, but the Cooley distillery might have more than Connemara in their roster. I personally prefer the pot still Irish whiskey. If you're a Scotch guy, Connemara is essentially a Scotch made in Ireland. It's peated and only double distilled instead of the usual triple distilled for Irish whiskeys.

[Walter Sobchak]

Didn't mean to come off angry at you - I've never even tasted the stuff myself. I guess it just annoys me to see that the whole issue has been played up as some great scandal/controversy when there's really nothing there at all.

But anyways - back to the topic of Irish whiskey and Scottish whisky.


Can anyone recommend a single-malt irish whiskey to me? I'm not sure that I've ever seen one in stores.

All is well. I was talking off the cuff and should have had my facts a little more straight. I knew they had a red maple leaf on the box, but I thought Glen Breton simply called the product Single Malt Whisky. Seeing that it does prominently display Canada smack dab in the middle of the box and label, it doesn't really make me raise my eyebrows. The way it was reported in the news and in other forums was that BG was blatantly trying to pass their product off as something it wasn't.


As far as single malt Irish goes. Some of the 12+ year Bushmills are nice. I can't remember if I had a 12yr single Bushmills or a 16yr, but it was nice and easy to drink. I don't like it enough for what it costs, though. I'd rather buy some of my favorite non-Irish whiskies [don't tell my grandfather and uncles] that are squarely within that price range. I'm not a fan of Bushmills 10yr Malt even though it's reasonably priced.