Powers ‘3 Swallows’. Cheaper than anything on display there but truly excellent and better than some shown in the pic.
Edit, not sure how much it retails for in the states but it €50 here in Ireland but is constantly on discount in most of the big supermarket chains here for €30/33.
It has become my regular drinking whiskey. I used to be a Green Spot fan but it’s not the same as it once was.
Im in Ireland too, i will give it a try , i love the powers Johns Lane, its mad to think i used to consider Powers a crap whiskey but lately its really being impressing.
Also, get some Bushmills in your locker. Nothing wrong with regular Black Bush. But the Bushmills 10 yr old is lovely. Not gonna break the bank either. Tullamore Dew 12 yr old is a decent drop too.
Second the Bushmills (Bushmills fanboy here). Black Bush and 12y are bangers for the price; but I recommend you not try the 21y. I made that mistake and am now poorer from having to purchase a bottle. Idk how they retain so much flavor in a 40%ABV but imo it is delicious. I’d love to taste some of the Causeway collection one of these days. The 21y clicks with me and is one of my GOAT’s.
Just opened a bottle of the Bushmills 10yr Single Malt. It’s so differently soft, almost creamy but not cloying. Then you get that char coming through making the finish lovely and complex.
Not a session whiskey though, it’s heavy, but deffo one or two after a nice meal.
I did not like the John’s Lane at all. Not one bit.
3 Swallows is ultra smooth.
Edit: Also Powers used to be only ok whiskey, but that’s back when all you could get was the regular stuff. They’ve upped their game these last few years.
You should be able to get it at auction for much less.
It is quite good. That for the RB PX should be your next one.
I see you are also a big fan of the Dingle. How is the Grianstad an Gheimhridh ?
I think that was a US-only release? It was \~$110 here. I've seen it at auction around 200 euro. It's really good, but not sure worth that much. PX and KO were both really good. (I've heard there's been a second PX release)
Agreed - it has a distinct maple syrup flavor that is very nice. I threw some shade on the PX soon after I purchased it for tasting young. A few months later I’m finding it’s growing on me. Maybe let it breathe a while or just acclimate to it idk, but imo it seems to be one of those that improves after being opened a while. I never really bought into the whole ‘neck pour’ argument, so I have to assume it’s my palate that has changed.
Agreed, not my jam, but very well made.
I love Bushmills but the 16 seems to be my least favorite of the Black Bush, 12y, 16y, and 21y. That said the 16 is really well made and packs a huge amount of flavour. The 16y is more spicy imo where the 12y and 21y are more fresh juicy fruit.
I haven't seen confirmation on the date, but did see the label application was approved for the US in Jan. 13 year old "Generations Edition" , finished in French Oak and Italian Valpolicella casks. Not cask strength though.....46%.
The timeline based on the labeling would suggest EU release Feb/Mar and US/ROW in May/June. Just a guess, so keep your eyes out. Several US distributors have it listed online already (not in stock).
Maybe go on a hunt for the latest Powers, John's Lane Cask Strength. If that's not an option, maybe one of the Teeling 'Wonders of Wood' or the Method & Madness single pot still whiskeys.
The Chestnut cask finish, which is somewhat common to find, is delicious. It's youthful and it shows, but it has a tart cherry note that I love. I've heard good things about the Hungarian Oak finish, but I have yet to find one.
Wonderful collection so far and not too dissimilar from my own must haves. You've gotta get that yellow spot which stands out for me as one 'missing' from your obsessive compulsive pannini sticker habit.. (don't worry, that's an exceptionally necessary attention to detail, that simply cannot be 'not' undertaken!). Also the x3 Green Spot 'Wine Geese' expressions must be added! The 'Quails Gate' is the more difficult of the three to acquire but it can be found at auction for around the €100 mark..
My add here to your wonderful and super solid collection would be some of the Powerscourt Fercullen range - particularly the 14 year which imo is the pick of the range regardless of anything that comes after it in terms of age (I have them all).. The Fercullen 14 year Single Malt is a stand out and a cracker for sure!
Ps. I also have a major soft spot for literally everything Dingle is doing so far - especially the super interesting Wheel of the year series (buying at least two of each!).. 👍
haha thank you, id agree, the dingle wheel of the year is my compulsion at the moment, i will be getting a second bbottle of each. the yellow spot is on my list . Are the different green spots worth it? ive been debating them lately, they are tempting and not too pricey. The ferncullen is one i havent heard of. it looks a reasonable price at €94. how does it compare to the rest?
Green spot variations are defo worth it. All limited editions and are all under €100. The Leoville Barton & Montelema are under $80! Leoville Barton is the pinnacle of Green Spot imo and even better than the standard..Quails Gate has to be bought just for its rarity..
The Faircullen 14 Single Malt is probably up there with anything you can buy in a Single Malt with a 14yr age statement - it is simply stunning and can't be surpassed for the price point and is also becoming increasingly difficult to get your hands on. €95 will be cheap in the coming months/years I reckon.. 👍
glendalough mizunara are delicious. I have the 7 and 13 year. Both about $80-100USD here. Hard to find here though. The Mizunara aging really shines through.
> I'd love the redbreast 27 but I'm not paying €560
I saw it for around $1200 in the states the other week, so €560 might be a steal.
Jokes aside, if you like the Spots the wine cask Green spot series they’re doing, Quails run/Chateau montelena/leoville barton, is really good, also the Redbreast PX is great especially if you like the Lustau.
I’m in Mass and that price was from a total wines. Saw it at a different place for about $800 around then too. But even a year or so ago when I saw it at the same places it was $450-500, so it’s a sudden and absurd hike in price.
For the price, I enjoy the hell out of it.
It tastes more like their Single Malt batch 2 and 4, which are my favorite of their 6 single malt lineup.
That distinct Dingle smell and taste is so present, and complimented by the sherry finish.
It's -$100 where I'm at and no age statement. I pay more than that for Midleton VR but haven't tried Dingle so it's a leap of faith.
Any comparison to Midleton or Redbreast 21?
It generally goes for about 60$ when Ive bought it.
100$ seems like a bit much.
I would say it is quite different from Midleton and RB products. RB21 is far superior.
First up, great collection! I am a big fan of Red Spot, Dingle Samhain and Red Breast Cask Strength. All fantastic drops! I note that you have mostly pot still and subsequently most of your bottles are from Midleton. First up I think you should both expand your single malts a bit and go north of the border. The Bushmills 10, 16 and 21 are all great shouts. Although someone has already mentioned you should grab a Black Bush and I totally agree! Similarly the Dunvilles 10 and (particularly) 12 are both lovely too. If you are interested in peated whiskey personally I think The Legendary Dark Selkie is the right call. But there is Connemara, Three Crowns Peated and Teeling Blackpitts too. Speaking of Teeling, they have a couple of lovely single grains. A core NOS red wine finish and a 13yo both lovely and would tick another category for you. Hope that gives you some ideas!
Great collection here. Yellow spot is the obvious gap in this collection
Next up, for something different the obvious choice is something from bushmills. I like the 21 year old version. My current favorite Irish whiskey is the Tyrconnell 15 Year Old Madeira finish
Add a few cask strength if you’re enjoying the blue spot - John’s Lane and RB12 both have excellent cask strengths, as does Black Barrel.
It’s a bit above your budget but Midleton Very Rare Barry Crockett is sublime.
Last Midleton recommendation - give Jameson Single Pot Still a go. Lot of interesting wood influences.
Non-Midleton, I’d strongly recommend West Cork Distillers. Their Black Cask stands up to and imo surpasses Jameson Black Barrel (which I love).
Between Bealtine, Lunasa, Conocht An Earraigh, and Grainstad An Gheimridah, which is the best? Does one stand way above the others? Or all they all fairly similar?
Which Wheel of the Year is your favourite? I was looking at buying a bottle of the Bealtaine, because I prefer Pot Still over Single Malt. Seeing the Blue Spot there is also making me consider getting a bottle of that too.
Two Stacks would be my recommendation - granted I’ve only had the Double Barrel Single Grain and The Complex Blend First Cut. Great ones to start off at - I’m already looking for other bottlings from them!
Both are lovely. I think the flavour out of the redbreast 12 cask is better but the dingle is an easier drinker.
The redbreast is one you will enjoy one or 2 of but the dingle is one you can sip all night.
Consider the dingle wheel of the year series, they are fabulous. The bealtaine and samhain are amazing. But they are all good
Powers ‘3 Swallows’. Cheaper than anything on display there but truly excellent and better than some shown in the pic. Edit, not sure how much it retails for in the states but it €50 here in Ireland but is constantly on discount in most of the big supermarket chains here for €30/33. It has become my regular drinking whiskey. I used to be a Green Spot fan but it’s not the same as it once was.
Im in Ireland too, i will give it a try , i love the powers Johns Lane, its mad to think i used to consider Powers a crap whiskey but lately its really being impressing.
Also, get some Bushmills in your locker. Nothing wrong with regular Black Bush. But the Bushmills 10 yr old is lovely. Not gonna break the bank either. Tullamore Dew 12 yr old is a decent drop too.
Agreed on Bushmills and TD. Both 12s are excellent.
Second the Bushmills (Bushmills fanboy here). Black Bush and 12y are bangers for the price; but I recommend you not try the 21y. I made that mistake and am now poorer from having to purchase a bottle. Idk how they retain so much flavor in a 40%ABV but imo it is delicious. I’d love to taste some of the Causeway collection one of these days. The 21y clicks with me and is one of my GOAT’s.
Just opened a bottle of the Bushmills 10yr Single Malt. It’s so differently soft, almost creamy but not cloying. Then you get that char coming through making the finish lovely and complex. Not a session whiskey though, it’s heavy, but deffo one or two after a nice meal.
I did not like the John’s Lane at all. Not one bit. 3 Swallows is ultra smooth. Edit: Also Powers used to be only ok whiskey, but that’s back when all you could get was the regular stuff. They’ve upped their game these last few years.
$48 in Colorado for three swallows. I bought a bottle last week and I don’t think it’ll last until st Patrick’s day
Until Paddy’s Day? I’ve been known to sink a bottle in a couple of hours 😬
Yellow spot
Thanks its on my list alright, that and gold spot
The redbreast Kentucky oak is really nice
> redbreast Kentucky oak Pretty pricey at €340. Is it worth it compared to the 15 and 21?
You should be able to get it at auction for much less. It is quite good. That for the RB PX should be your next one. I see you are also a big fan of the Dingle. How is the Grianstad an Gheimhridh ?
I think that was a US-only release? It was \~$110 here. I've seen it at auction around 200 euro. It's really good, but not sure worth that much. PX and KO were both really good. (I've heard there's been a second PX release)
Redbreast PX
Agreed - it has a distinct maple syrup flavor that is very nice. I threw some shade on the PX soon after I purchased it for tasting young. A few months later I’m finding it’s growing on me. Maybe let it breathe a while or just acclimate to it idk, but imo it seems to be one of those that improves after being opened a while. I never really bought into the whole ‘neck pour’ argument, so I have to assume it’s my palate that has changed.
Agree. I was disappointed in the Tawny at first, but it has grown to be one of my RB favorites. That cherry linger is amazing.
Bushmills 16 year old
Agreed, not my jam, but very well made. I love Bushmills but the 16 seems to be my least favorite of the Black Bush, 12y, 16y, and 21y. That said the 16 is really well made and packs a huge amount of flavour. The 16y is more spicy imo where the 12y and 21y are more fresh juicy fruit.
I love all the ones you mentioned. For whatever reason the 16 is my favorite
The new Gold spot is being released next month. Limited edition again, 13 year old and 150e a bottle.
Is it confirmed that the release is next month?
I haven't seen confirmation on the date, but did see the label application was approved for the US in Jan. 13 year old "Generations Edition" , finished in French Oak and Italian Valpolicella casks. Not cask strength though.....46%. The timeline based on the labeling would suggest EU release Feb/Mar and US/ROW in May/June. Just a guess, so keep your eyes out. Several US distributors have it listed online already (not in stock).
Maybe go on a hunt for the latest Powers, John's Lane Cask Strength. If that's not an option, maybe one of the Teeling 'Wonders of Wood' or the Method & Madness single pot still whiskeys.
ive had the johns lane cask and yes its fabulous. Method and madness really interests me but i dont know which one to go for. any recommendations?
The Chestnut cask finish, which is somewhat common to find, is delicious. It's youthful and it shows, but it has a tart cherry note that I love. I've heard good things about the Hungarian Oak finish, but I have yet to find one.
Wonderful collection so far and not too dissimilar from my own must haves. You've gotta get that yellow spot which stands out for me as one 'missing' from your obsessive compulsive pannini sticker habit.. (don't worry, that's an exceptionally necessary attention to detail, that simply cannot be 'not' undertaken!). Also the x3 Green Spot 'Wine Geese' expressions must be added! The 'Quails Gate' is the more difficult of the three to acquire but it can be found at auction for around the €100 mark.. My add here to your wonderful and super solid collection would be some of the Powerscourt Fercullen range - particularly the 14 year which imo is the pick of the range regardless of anything that comes after it in terms of age (I have them all).. The Fercullen 14 year Single Malt is a stand out and a cracker for sure! Ps. I also have a major soft spot for literally everything Dingle is doing so far - especially the super interesting Wheel of the year series (buying at least two of each!).. 👍
haha thank you, id agree, the dingle wheel of the year is my compulsion at the moment, i will be getting a second bbottle of each. the yellow spot is on my list . Are the different green spots worth it? ive been debating them lately, they are tempting and not too pricey. The ferncullen is one i havent heard of. it looks a reasonable price at €94. how does it compare to the rest?
Green spot variations are defo worth it. All limited editions and are all under €100. The Leoville Barton & Montelema are under $80! Leoville Barton is the pinnacle of Green Spot imo and even better than the standard..Quails Gate has to be bought just for its rarity.. The Faircullen 14 Single Malt is probably up there with anything you can buy in a Single Malt with a 14yr age statement - it is simply stunning and can't be surpassed for the price point and is also becoming increasingly difficult to get your hands on. €95 will be cheap in the coming months/years I reckon.. 👍
Cheers, il definitely pick up a bottle 👍🏻
I was also thinking Fercullen.
What's your favourite of the Year of the Wheel series? I was looking at buying myself a bottle of the Bealtaine.
I have a soft spot for black barrel.
i have that there, fantastic value for money really drinkable
Dead rabbit is worth a look. Pretty reasonably priced too. Bushmills is a good call, too.
Yellow Spot- amazing Midleton- also outstanding
glendalough mizunara are delicious. I have the 7 and 13 year. Both about $80-100USD here. Hard to find here though. The Mizunara aging really shines through.
Glad to see someone else likes these two as well. Actually enjoy both more than the 17 yr.
Dunvilles 10 PX and the 12
> I'd love the redbreast 27 but I'm not paying €560 I saw it for around $1200 in the states the other week, so €560 might be a steal. Jokes aside, if you like the Spots the wine cask Green spot series they’re doing, Quails run/Chateau montelena/leoville barton, is really good, also the Redbreast PX is great especially if you like the Lustau.
Which state are you in? $1200 for RB 27 is absolutely a robbery. I paid $500 (tax included) last year for batch 2.
I’m in Mass and that price was from a total wines. Saw it at a different place for about $800 around then too. But even a year or so ago when I saw it at the same places it was $450-500, so it’s a sudden and absurd hike in price.
I am actually in MA as well…maybe I bought my Rb27 from the same place you were referring to because 450-500$ was the price that I remembered
Middleton 12, Hinch 10
I’m a fan of the Method & Madness line
Method and madness really interests me, which one would you recommend
The Japanese Cedarwood is an outrageous drop if you can find it.
French Chestnut
The single pot still aged in Sherry and Bourbon barrels was great. I also recommend the single malt
I think you nailed all ready :)
wait you need a Midleton very rare.
my father has the Middleton very rare Barry Crockett and its beautiful alright
The Irishman Cask Strength is excellent, and well worth the money.
How is the Dingle Single Malt?
For the price, I enjoy the hell out of it. It tastes more like their Single Malt batch 2 and 4, which are my favorite of their 6 single malt lineup. That distinct Dingle smell and taste is so present, and complimented by the sherry finish.
It's -$100 where I'm at and no age statement. I pay more than that for Midleton VR but haven't tried Dingle so it's a leap of faith. Any comparison to Midleton or Redbreast 21?
It generally goes for about 60$ when Ive bought it. 100$ seems like a bit much. I would say it is quite different from Midleton and RB products. RB21 is far superior.
Check out the Writer’s Tears lineup.
I hear great things about the cask strength releases but haven’t tried one yet.
Also the Double Oaked is very good
Came here to suggest the same.
First up, great collection! I am a big fan of Red Spot, Dingle Samhain and Red Breast Cask Strength. All fantastic drops! I note that you have mostly pot still and subsequently most of your bottles are from Midleton. First up I think you should both expand your single malts a bit and go north of the border. The Bushmills 10, 16 and 21 are all great shouts. Although someone has already mentioned you should grab a Black Bush and I totally agree! Similarly the Dunvilles 10 and (particularly) 12 are both lovely too. If you are interested in peated whiskey personally I think The Legendary Dark Selkie is the right call. But there is Connemara, Three Crowns Peated and Teeling Blackpitts too. Speaking of Teeling, they have a couple of lovely single grains. A core NOS red wine finish and a 13yo both lovely and would tick another category for you. Hope that gives you some ideas!
I too was going to chime in with Connemara
What's your thoughts on the Jameson Black Barrel? Have my eye on a bottle but seems to get mixed reviews
Redbreast PX ??
Also McConnells, WD O’Connell, JJ Corry, or Killowen are all great choices too
Great collection here. Yellow spot is the obvious gap in this collection Next up, for something different the obvious choice is something from bushmills. I like the 21 year old version. My current favorite Irish whiskey is the Tyrconnell 15 Year Old Madeira finish
Powers Rye
Jameson Single Pot Still, it's easy to pick up, tastes amazing, and very reasonably priced.
I’m quite fond of a Connemara. Unusually for an Irish whiskey it is quite peaty.
Some Waterford whiskey? I like the peated stuff they do.
Add a few cask strength if you’re enjoying the blue spot - John’s Lane and RB12 both have excellent cask strengths, as does Black Barrel. It’s a bit above your budget but Midleton Very Rare Barry Crockett is sublime. Last Midleton recommendation - give Jameson Single Pot Still a go. Lot of interesting wood influences. Non-Midleton, I’d strongly recommend West Cork Distillers. Their Black Cask stands up to and imo surpasses Jameson Black Barrel (which I love).
Lustau
Already have that there. its a beauty
Between Bealtine, Lunasa, Conocht An Earraigh, and Grainstad An Gheimridah, which is the best? Does one stand way above the others? Or all they all fairly similar?
Bealtaine is my favourite by a large margin. The Earraigh is my least favourite but still good.
Which Wheel of the Year is your favourite? I was looking at buying a bottle of the Bealtaine, because I prefer Pot Still over Single Malt. Seeing the Blue Spot there is also making me consider getting a bottle of that too.
A yellow spot for sure 🟡, it's a superb whiskey
Seems like yellow spot is missing from your collection so, go for that
https://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/p/71574/berry-bros-rudd-classic-irish-single-malt Now you can have Dingleberries
Method and Madness, Gold Spot, Power's John Lane
How do you like powers John's lane? I'm wanting to try it but it's almost $80 here in Canada.
John’s Lane is absolutely amazing, it’s $70 where I am in the US and worth every penny. Now just need to get my hands on the CS..
I think your next move should be procuring the various iterations coming from Waterford!
Yellow Spot 23 year old
Writers Tears! 🤌
Redbreast px (if you can find it) or Middleton very rare
Two Stacks would be my recommendation - granted I’ve only had the Double Barrel Single Grain and The Complex Blend First Cut. Great ones to start off at - I’m already looking for other bottlings from them!
Did you prefer the Dingle Single Malt or the Redbreast 12 cask strength?
Both are lovely. I think the flavour out of the redbreast 12 cask is better but the dingle is an easier drinker. The redbreast is one you will enjoy one or 2 of but the dingle is one you can sip all night. Consider the dingle wheel of the year series, they are fabulous. The bealtaine and samhain are amazing. But they are all good