Whiskey – Uisce Beatha – the Water of Life
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Whiskey – Uisce Beatha – The Water of Life Both Ireland & Scotland lay claim to the origins of whiskey, and both have long histories of distillation. Whiskey is made by crushing grain to create a grist, to which water is added to create a mash. This mash is boiled to release sugars and then cooled. Yeast is added to start fermentation, which consumes the yeast creating alcohol. The liquid – which is actually beer - is drained off and distilled using a still and then is aged in barrel for an appropriate amount of time. These processes are individualized by each producer – different grains, the use of peat in the malting process, alternative casks – these are only a few ways that a producer creates a distinct and unique beverage. Whiskey is made around the world and we are pleased to carry a varied selection from Ireland, Scotland, Canada, the United States and Japan. Enjoy exploring our list with individual sips or try one of our whiskey flights designed by our in-house sommelier for the ultimate Whiskey Experience! Please note there are no substitutions for whisky flights. Our “Sommelier Picks” reflect products that our in house sommelier found to be of exceptional value or unique character. 2 Table of Contents 3. Ireland 18. Islay 4. Bushmills Distillery 20. Campbeltown 5. Walsh Distillery 21. The Islands 6. Midleton Distillery 22. The Highlands 8. Kilbeggan Distillery 24. The Lowlands 9-10. Tullamore Distillery, Various Irish 25. Canada 11. Scotland 27. Japan 12. Blended Whiskies 28. The United States 14. Speyside 29. Game of Thrones Editions 31-33 The Complete Flight Lists Whiskey list compiled by in-house sommelier Cheryl Doherty. 2 3 Ireland The ancestral home of whiskey, and we dare you to prove otherwise, Irish whiskey once reigned supreme, for a time in the 19th century even outselling its Scottish rivals. The Irish War of Independence cut off trade with Britain, then U.S. prohibition further devastated the industry and it never fully recovered. Until now. There are now 18 licensed whiskey distilleries in Ireland with another 19 in development. Irish distilleries are alive, growing and flourishing. There is also a tradition of “brands” of whiskey in Ireland – finished whiskies are bought from distilleries and marketed under independent branded names. Irish whiskey can be produced anywhere on the island of Ireland. Traditionally it is triple distilled, making it lighter and smoother than Scotch, with more delicate aromas and flavours. It must be barrel aged a minimum of three years. Irish whiskies also tend to have a lower level of malt. This came about as the result of a “malt tax” in 1697 with which the government hoped to raise additional revenue. The Irish got around this tax by combining malted and unmalted barley in their mash – a tradition which continues today. The term “single pot still” refers to whiskies made with a minimum of 30% unmalted barley. Today’s Irish whiskies come in a vast array of styles and we hope you enjoy your Irish whiskey tour. 3 4 Bushmills Distillery The world’s oldest licensed distillery – granted in 1608 by King James I in Co. Antrim Ireland. Bushmills Single Malt 10 yr old | 6.74 The benchmark for Irish Single malts. More depth and complexity than traditional Irish whiskies. Matured in bourbon and Oloroso Sherry casks. Medium body, very fruity, notes of chocolate pudding and nectarines. 40% abv Bushmills Original | 5.65 Made from grain whiskey which is matured for a minimum of five years in American oak, then blended with Irish single malt whiskey to make a smooth and mellow beverage. Tangy and mineral with notes of sweet barley and sweet spices. 40% abv Bushmills Black Bush | 6.74 A rich, smooth blend with a high percentage of triple distilled single malt, aged on Oloroso sherry casks and then blended with single grain whiskey. Dried citrus, chamomile tea, and cinnamon notes. 40% abv Bushmills Beginnings: .5 oz each Bushmills Original, Bushmills Single Malt, Black Bush | 13 4 5 The Walsh Whiskey Distillery The only independent Irish distillery producing pot still, malt, and grain whiskey. Located in County Carlow. Writer’s Tears Copper Pot Still | 6.53 A light bodied soft and sweet mix of pot still and single malt whiskey. A great introduction to Irish whiskies for whiskey newbies. 40% abv. Writer’s Tears Red Head Single Malt | 6.96 A triple distilled single malt whiskey aged in Oloroso sherry casks for a minimum of three years. Relatively light and sweet, with malt, toffee, cinnamon and leather and a long finish. 46% abv Writer’s Tears Cask Strength | 16.74 Released annually, chocolate buttons, with yellow fruit – mango, melon and delicious spice, and a long finish of cinnamon, clove and nutmeg. q The Irishman Founder’s Reserve | 8.27 *Sommelier Pick The first whiskey of Bernard Walsh. A blend of 70% single malt and 30% single pot still whiskies. Aged in Bourbon casks. 40% abv The Walsh Whisky Bus Stop: Flight of 4. 5oz of each Writer’s Tears Copper Pot Still, Red Head Single Malt, Cask Strength & Founder’s Reserve| 20 5 6 Midleton Distillery The largest Irish whiskey distillery in existence and home to many of Ireland’s most famous brands, including Jameson, Red Breast, green Spot and of course, Midleton. Green Spot Single Pot Still | 9.14 10 years old, matured in bourbon and sherry casks. Spicy and soft with bourbon oaks and a distinct menthol character. 40% abv. Yellow Spot 12 yr old | 10.44 12 years old, aged in three different casks; sweet Malaga wine casks, Spanish Sherry butts and American oak bourbon casks. 46% abv. Green Spot Chateau Montelena | 9.35 Part of the “Wine Geese” series – whiskies finished in casks from Irish owned wineries around the world. This version was finished in Zinfandel wine casks from Chateau Montelena in Napa Valley. 46%abv. A Spot of Whiskey Flight: .5oz of each Green Spot, Yellow Spot, Green Spot Chateau Montelena | 17 6 7 Jameson’s Irish Whiskey | 5.65 The classic and still great value Irish whiskey awarded 95 points by Jim Murray’s Whiskey Bible. A full and floral nose, great body with orchard fruit and vanilla cream. A honey and spice finish. 40% abv. Jameson’s Crested Whiskey | 6.09 A high proportion of Sherry casking along with a healthy proportion of pot still whiskey makes this a sweet and fruity whiskey with a balanced proportion of spiced nuts and peppery notes. An interesting and delightful tipple and a terrfifc value. Midleton Very Rare | 20 Considered the pinnacle of Irish whiskey making, this blended whiskey releases a new version each year which is hotly anticipated around the world. It’s just really flippin’ amazing. 40% abv. Red Breast Pure Pot Still 12 yr old | 9.14 Consistently one of our best selling and most loved whiskies. A nutty rich and oily nose which carries over to the palate, with citrus peel, melon and a bit of ginger. A long and creamy finish. 40% abv. Green Velvet Tour: .5oz of each Jameson Irish Whiskey, Red Breast Pure Pot Still and Midleton Very Rare |24 7 8 Kilbeggan Distillery Located in Westmeath since 1757, one of the oldest distilleries in Ireland. Kilbeggan went out of production I 1954 but has been lovingly restored and now boasts the oldest working pot still in the land. Kilbeggan Traditional Irish | 6.09 Smooth and gentle with nut oils, barley cereal, honeyed sweetness and malt. A dry oaky finish. 40% abv. Kilbeggan Single Grain | 6.09 Made with 94% corn and 6% malted barley, this easy going whiskey makes a terrific starter whiskey with a biscuit sweetness accompanied by nutmeg spice and vanilla. 43% abv. Kilbeggan Small Batch Rye | 6.09 Rye was historically the primary grain used in Irish whiskies. Kilbeggan returns to that tradition with a limited edition small batch rye whiskey. Soft creaminess with a hint of spice, a simple and mellow dram. 43%abv. Kilbeggan Bus Stop: .5oz of each Kilbeggan Traditional, Single Grain & Small Batch Rye | 13 8 9 Tullamore D.E.W. | 5.65 Made at the Tullamore Distillery. Lots of sherry and citrus peel in this medium bodied whiskey. The finish is long with herbal notes along with toffee and caramel. The “D.E.W.” comes from the initials of a former distillery manager in the 19th Century and has nothing to do with the purported dampness of the Irish climate. 40% abv. Glendalough Double Barrel | 5.65 A single grain whiskey from Glendalough Distillery in Wicklow. Matured in American bourbon casks then finished for six months in Oloroso Sherry casks. A thick, decadent body with caramel, salty melted butter and crème anglaise. A woody spice on the polished finish. 42% abv Tyrconnell Single Malt | 5.65 From the Cooley Distillery in County Louth. Orchard fruits and a malty character. Toast and honey with a dry, grassy finish and just a little spice. 43% abv. Tyrconnell 15 yr old Single Malt | 13.48 Produced at the Cooley Distillery and aged in American oak. Sweet grains and gentle bourbon, a truly traditional Irish whiskey 43% abv. Irish Miscellany: .5 of each Kilbeggan Small Batch Rye, Egans’ 10 yr old Single Malt, Mad March Hare Poitin | 14 9 10 Kern Premium Irish | 5.65 *Sommelier Pick Copper pot still, triple distilled with three to five years in American oak. Not complicated but has very interesting spice and herbal notes which along with mellow smoothness make it a must-try. 40% abv. Egan’s 10 yr old Single Malt | 9.57 An old whiskey brand recently revived.