St. Patty's day recommendation?

[Charlutz]

I drink bourbon every Thursday with a couple of friends. I figured we'd start with one Irish whiskey because of the holiday. I have a half bottle of Jameson's. Never had it except in Irish coffee. I would be willing to try something else as we'll likely drink it neat or on the rocks. Available options would be bushmills, redbreast 12 and tullamore dew 10,12 or Phoenix. I may not touch his bottle again for 364 days but who knows, maybe I'll really like it. Thoughts for an uninformed Irish whiskey drinker? Thanks!

[smokinjoe]

The Redbreast is a solid choice.  Of the bourbon drinkers I know who tend to discount Irish whiskies as being too light, most seem to like the heft that Redbreast 12 brings in comparison to others.  If you can get the Cask Strength version, better yet!  

[tanstaafl2]

I certainly second the Redbreast, especially the Cask Strength if available. I think the Powers John's Lane, with a bit more proof and heft (more bourbon barrel aging and less sherry than Redbreast) is a good alternative to the standard Redbreast if available. It all comes from the same source but it is a matter of different barrel management.

[Paddy]

Greenspot on sale at the local, so you know what that meant!    To add, I always enjoy of small dose of Irish table whiskey in addition to the 'main course'.  For some reason, it always ends up being an old favorite of mine, Paddy...

Sláinte mhaith!!!

 

[Special Reserve]

Redbreast 12 cask strength is a power pour.  I'll be having one later today.

[ccleve23]

Powers Johns Lane for me. Just had a small pour. Delicious.

[Charlutz]

Thanks for the recommendations. Our get together ended up being relocated to someone else's house so I didn't buy anything. He had a triple pack of Jameson's (standard, casker, special reserve). I tried and liked them all enough that I will seek out some Irish whiskey to try. Redbreast cask strength has definitely piqued my interest. Nothing like a new tangent to my obsession! Thanks again. 

[Special Reserve]

What is Middleton's like?

[BigPapa]

Yellow Spot!!!

[tanstaafl2]

Mdleton's makes a ton of whiskey to include Jameson, Redbreast, Powers, the "Spots" (Green Spot, Yellow Spot and the long rumored 15yo Red Spot but as yet unavailable) They probably also provide whiskey to NDP's (Irishman used to be Midleton I believe although I suppose it was all done quietly out in back!). 

The use of the name Midleton on the front label is generally reserved for more special bottlings like the Midleton Very Rare, an annual release of a low proof blended whiskey (that these days seems a little overly pricey). The Barry Crockett Legacy and the newest release Dair Ghaelach were also under the Midleton name. But it all comes from the same distiller down in Cork!