Irish whiskey -- what's your favorite?

[AaronWF]

Last week I would have said Redbreast 12, either proof. Last night I grabbed a Powers' John's Lane, and wow! Very similar to the Redbreast (probably off the same still) but the harsh penny flavor/bitterness I find easily in the Redbreast is hard to find in this, and replaced with some great honey notes. My list now looks like this:

Powers' John's Lane

Redbreast 12

everything else.

I'm with you on the two in front of everything else, but my opinion differs twofold: 1) I find the RB12CS to be heads and tails in front of the lower proof version and would relegate that one to the 'everything else' category, and 2) I'm still not entirely convinced the PJL gets the #1 spot. I need to do a SBS before I fully commit, as it's been about a year since I last had the RB12CS. The PJL did not impress upon first sip like the RB12CS did, but it has grown on me quite a bit. I just need to make my bottle last until I have room to open up the RB!

[Max Power]

Now that Beam owns Cooley it seems that 2 Gingers is likely to get broader distribution. Seems to be a young whiskey primarily intended for mixing such as with ginger ale/beer to suit the younger "hip" crowd (although the name has more to do with the hair color than the soda apparently). Might try it if I see it but not one I am hunting for at the moment.

It's not worth doing a lot of seeking out for. But since it's owned by a guy locally in MN, it's $17.99 for a liter and that's just a great price for it.

[black mamba]

I just tried Knappogue Castle 14 yr for the first time tonight, and it is simply delicious. We had it along with the Powers John's Lane 12 yr, which is my favorite Irish, and the KC14 held it's own. The KC14 has bright, grassy citrus flavors with a touch of raisiny richness, while the PJL12 is dark and brooding honeyed spice with a hint of fudge on the finish. The KC14 nose is simply one of the best out there. Try it.

[tanstaafl2]

Still not much news on the Redbreast 21 but I did find the label application. 92 proof isn't bad if that is what it proves to be. Same as the current 15yo.

[MyOldKyDram]

Yellow Spot still my favorite, but looking forward to trying the Powers John's Lane very soon. Heard so many great things about it.

[sutton]

It is hard not to like Irish - everything I've tried has had its place and it's hard to pick favorites. For Bushmill's, I'd say Black Bush for value, and the 16yo and 21yo when you want something rich/sweet. Also went over well with the non-whisk(e)y drinkers around me.

Redbreast 12 C.S. is absolutely fantastic, and I recently opened a Jameson's Gold (I think 15 yrs?) which was also rich and so soothing. Jameson's 12 was also incredibly nice for the price. Common theme for me in Irish is the rich creaminess I get off of every dram.

Can't say which has been my favorite because for some time now I've been looking for a Powers Johns Lane and a Green/Yellow Spot to try.

[Mickbourbon]

Yellow Spot still my favorite, but looking forward to trying the Powers John's Lane very soon. Heard so many great things about it.

Can you get Yellow spot in the US?

[MyOldKyDram]

Not that I know of. I think it may be here sometime later in the year.

[tanstaafl2]

Both Green Spot and Yellow appear to only be available north of the border at present although rumors of their arrival in the US have been circulating for some time. Powers John's Lane is available in at least some parts of the US.

[whiskeyagonzo]

Hands down Powers Johns Lane, although the Redbreast 12 CS is a close 2nd for me IMHO.

[WhiskyRI]

As others have mentioned I too enjoy Red Breast 12, a lot, but the value winner for me is hands down Knappogue 12 - when it is on sale. I periodically see it for $24 a bottle and at that price it's a definite bargain. I bought a bottle of it along with a bunch of open stuff to a St. Pats party to let people do self-guided tasting and it was the party favorite as well. I haven't had a chance to taste the spots or Powers John Lane but everything I've heard here jibes with what I've heard elsewhere. Not sure I'm ready to pay $80 a bottle for them but I'll definitely be opening the wallet for them sometime soon.