Wakey Whiskey: Jameson Caskmates Stout Edition Irish Whiskey

By Eric Ducote

Good morning Tiger fans!  If I was a superstitious fan I'd be going straight back to some JPS 21-Year Rye after LSU laid the smack down on #2 UGA last week, but I'm not superstitious and I don't really believe that my whiskey choices have any impact on a football game.  That said, it's always been a fun tradition that started in my tailgating days to start off a big day with a wakey whiskey.  That tradition has evolved past tailgating into all game days, and even birthdays, holidays, weddings, and other special events.  If it's a cause for celebration, it's a cause for some wakey whiskey!

With that noted, I'm of course going to feature a new whiskey today, as you're here to read about the beverage and it would be boring to write about the same one every time LSU wins, right? There's only so much I could have said about the Roaming Man Tennessee Straight Rye whiskey that I started off the season with, and you would have had 5 weeks of that one!  So this week, an Irish Whiskey with a twist, the Jameson Caskmates Stout Edition.  This one starts out as a standard batch of Jameson Irish Whiskey, and then is aged further in barrels that were used to age an Irish craft-brewed stout.  

Jameson Caskmates Stout Edition Irish Whiskey

The color is basically the same as regular Jameson, golden with hints of orange.   The nose is smooth, with hints of honeysuckle, mineral water, and a hint of fruit.  There's a minimal 'burn' on this whiskey, as it's triple distilled in the Irish tradition and bottled at 80 proof.  The result is an extremely smooth sipping whiskey, with a hint of chocolate malt notes on the taste combined with the fruit and honey flavors of the base whiskey.  It finishes easy with another little hint of chocolate.

Overall, I really enjoy this whiskey, although I don't know that I really get much 'stout' out of it.  I think it would have been even better with more time in those beer barrels, but I also feel like it's a lot harder to impart the beer flavors into a whiskey than it is to pull whiskey flavors into a beer.  I admire the creativity to mix up the process, and at a reasonable price around $30, it's not a bad buy.  I'm going to have to try the IPA edition next, as I feel like hop flavors might work even better.  Until then, cheers, and GEAUX TIGERS! 

2 GINGERS Irish Whiskey releases nationwide: Whisk(e)y Wednesday presented by Calandro's Supermarket

Great news out of Kilbeggan Distilling Company in Ireland. The 2 GINGERS Irish Whiskey – the fastest growing Irish whiskey in the U.S. – has grown beyond its Minnesota roots and is now officially available across the United States. The brand has experienced exponential growth, expanding from limited Midwest markets one year ago to all 50 states this month. I previously wrote about the 2 GINGERS Irish Whiskey on a Whisk(e)y Wednesday review post, so it is pretty awesome to get to report their expansion and tour.

To support the national launch, 2 GINGERS Founder and CEO Kieran Folliard will travel in a customized 2 GINGERS trailer to meet with bartenders, distributors and consumers looking to discover the BIG GINGER cocktail in stops from coast to coast, including: Milwaukee, WI, Chicago, IL,  Hoboken, NJ, New Orleans, LA, Dallas, TX, Austin, TX, San Diego, CA, Denver, CO, Minneapolis, MN, St. Louis, MO, Indianapolis, IN, and Columbus, OH.

“At its heart, 2 GINGERS is about following up on a hunch and pursuing your dreams," said Folliard, who is soon hitting the road in a custom 2 GINGERS trailer that, like any Irish pub, will ring with stories (most of them true) in cities across the country. "We hope to encourage others to pursue their dreams, to demonstrate what we stand for and to pose the question: 'Why not try something big?’”

As an added bonus, here's the recipe for the BIG GINGER:

2 parts 2 GINGERS Irish Whiskey
Ginger Ale
Lemon Wedge
Lime Wedge
METHOD: Pour the 2 GINGERS Irish Whiskey into a pint glass with ice. Top with ginger ale, followed by a wedge of a lemon and lime.

Whisk(e)y Wednesday is a blog post series on Bite and Booze sponsored by Calandro's Supermarket. Calandro's has one of Baton Rouge's best selections of bourbon, Scotch, Irish, and other whisk(e)ys as well as wine and craft beer. This WW feature was scored by Jay Ducote, Eric Ducote, and Jeremy Spikes. Scores are marked for Nose, Taste, Finish, and Balance and Complexity using our own proprietary scoring system. Marks are then added and averaged, leaving us with a final score out of a 100 point scale. Our scale should be looked at on the full range of 0-100 rather than an academic range where 70 is passing and anything less is failing. A 50 should be considered a very mediocre whisk(e)y (though not undrinkable) while anything below 20 is absolute horse piss and anything above 80 is rather extraordinary and anything above 90 is world class.

Ireland Reminiscence and The Parting Glass: Whisk(e)y Wednesday presented by Calandro's Supermarket

Eric, Kate, Jeremy, Meghan, Jay, James, and Lizzie in Galway, 2006

In the summer of 2006 I spent nearly two months in Ireland. I traveled with the group of friends seen to the right for the first ten days, then they all left, but I stayed. Twas the summer between my two years of grad school and I needn't return stateside too soon, so I booked my return flight home for eight weeks later. I figured that I would find a way to survive. In truth, I found a way to live. I'm not sure there's much that can open one's eyes or teach them about themselves more than a couple months of traveling alone in foreign countries. Equipped with a couple backpacks, a tent, a few good books, a journal that Caroline Payne gifted me, and a Motorola Razr (hard to imagine how I did it all without Google Maps on my iPhone!), I left my compadres at the Dublin airport and headed west across the Emerald Isle. There are many good stories to tell and great adventures to reveal, but that might have to wait for a book later down the road. But today is Whisk(e)y Wednesday, and rather than give you a review of an Irish whiskey, I thought I'd share this video called The Parting Glass from Tullamore D.E.W. It reminds me of peaceful times in the Irish countryside. And rain. And whiskey. If you're really itching for a review, I wrote about the Tullamore Dew Single Malt 10 Year a little while back.

In exciting news, Tullamore D.E.W. is working on returning home to the town of Tullamore with the building the new distillery. Construction is already underway on this 50 million dollar investment, which will bring economic gain, new jobs, and the spirit of Tullamore D.E.W. back to its namesake town. I'll have to get back to Ireland to check it out!

 

Whisk(e)y Wednesday is a blog post series on Bite and Booze sponsored by Calandro's Supermarket. Calandro's has one of Baton Rouge's best selections of bourbon, Scotch, Irish, and other whisk(e)ys as well as wine and craft beer. This WW feature was scored by Jay Ducote, Eric Ducote, and Jeremy Spikes. Scores are marked for Nose, Taste, Finish, and Balance and Complexity using our own proprietary scoring system. Marks are then added and averaged, leaving us with a final score out of a 100 point scale. Our scale should be looked at on the full range of 0-100 rather than an academic range where 70 is passing and anything less is failing. A 50 should be considered a very mediocre whisk(e)y (though not undrinkable) while anything below 20 is absolute horse piss and anything above 80 is rather extraordinary and anything above 90 is world class.

A Look Back on the Whisk(e)ys of the World Tournament Part 3/3: Whisk(e)y Wednesday presented by Calandro's Supermarket

We started with a field of 68 whisk(e)ys and whittled that down to a Sweet 16. Soon we had our Final Four for the Whisk(e)ys of the World Tournament... a bourbon, a Scotch, an Irish, and a Welsh. Shown in that order to the right, you'll see the Jefferson's Presidential Select 17 Year Bourbon, Highland Park 15 Year Scotch, Midleton Very Rare Irish Whiskey, and Penderyn Welsh Whisky. You can notice the vast difference in color looking at the whisk(e)ys shown in the picture. The dark amber color of the bourbon is in complete contrast to the chardonnay colored Welsh whisky, but they all tasted good enough to get to the Final Four! The bourbon and the Scotch squared off in our first semi-final in which the Jefferson's Presidential Select 17 Year Bourbon proved victorious by a vote of 2 to 2 with the crowd at Roux Wine and Spirits being the tiebreaker. On the other side of the bracket Midleton Very Rare dominated Penderyn. Highland Park ran away with the third place game showing that really there a top three that Penderyn didn't quite belong in. In the finals the Jefferson's Presidential Select dominated the Midleton Very Rare as well. You can actually listen to all the Final Four matchups right here, right now!

And is it turns out, the Jefferson's Presidential Select 18 Year is on top of the leaderboard right now for Whisk(e)y Wednesday posts, which you can find on the right side of your screen, edging out even the Pappy Van Winkle 15 Year.

Whisk(e)y Wednesday is a blog post series on Bite and Booze sponsored by Calandro's Supermarket. Calandro's has one of Baton Rouge's best selections of bourbon, Scotch, Irish, and other whisk(e)ys as well as wine and craft beer. This WW feature was scored by Jay Ducote, Eric Ducote, and Jeremy Spikes. Scores are marked for Nose, Taste, Finish, and Balance and Complexity using our own proprietary scoring system. Marks are then added and averaged, leaving us with a final score out of a 100 point scale. Our scale should be looked at on the full range of 0-100 rather than an academic range where 70 is passing and anything less is failing. A 50 should be considered a very mediocre whisk(e)y while anything below 20 is absolute horse piss and anything above 90 is rather extraordinary.

2Gingers Irish Whiskey: Whisk(e)y Wednesday presented by Calandro's Supermarket

2Gingers Irish Whiskey

I miss Ireland. I miss the rolling hills and the friendly small town pubs. I miss waking up in hostels and seeking adventure. I miss fresh pints of Guinness. And I miss sipping on whiskey with anyone whose last name started with O'. I recently received a bottle of 2Gingers Irish Whiskey, a newcomer to the scene which wasn't around in 2006 when I traversed the Emerald Isle. 2Gingers smells like Ireland. On the nose are perfumes of fresh cut grass, honey, and refreshing sweetness. Upon making contact with the tongue the sweetness fades into hay and grain. It is light and easy to taste with a hint of honeysuckle. It disappears like a magic trick on the finish, vanishing off the back of the tongue leaving your mouth dry with very little aftertaste. Ultimately its fleeting qualities were not ideal. Jeremy dubbed it a "chick whiskey," though he clearly meant no offense to Irish whiskey in general as it is one of his favorite categories. The nose easily stood out as the best part of 2Gingers as everything else proved to be rather boring. Still, this is certainly a decent introduction whiskey to the Irish style, and would certainly be fine as a replacement to Jameson as a shooting whiskey.

2Gingers Irish Whiskey

Average Score 55.67

Whisk(e)y Wednesday is a blog post series on Bite and Booze sponsored by Calandro's Supermarket. Calandro's has one of Baton Rouge's best selections of bourbon, Scotch, Irish, and other whisk(e)ys as well as wine and craft beer. This WW feature was scored by Jay Ducote, Eric Ducote, and Jeremy Spikes. Scores are marked for Nose, Taste, Finish, and Balance and Complexity using our own proprietary scoring system. Marks are then added and averaged, leaving us with a final score out of a 100 point scale. Our scale should be looked at on the full range of 0-100 rather than an academic range where 70 is passing and anything less is failing. A 50 should be considered a very mediocre whisk(e)y while anything below 20 is absolute horse piss and anything above 90 is rather extraordinary.

Connemara Cask Strength: Whisk(e)y Wednesday presented by Calandro's Supermarket

Connemara Cask Strength Irish Whiskey

After serving as the Wildman of County Longford for a stint in 2006, my travels eventually brought me to Clifden, Ireland, near the lands of Connemara. On the west coast of the Emerald Isle I learned how to sail, met many other adventurers, and got some glimpses of the surrounding peat bogs. Connemara National Park lies just north of Clifden which all sits between Galway and Westport. The Connemara Cask Strength Peated Single Malt Irish Whiskey is more akin to a Scotch than traditional Irish elixirs. With peat smoked barley, this cask strength version is a variation of the regular Connemara Irish Whiskey that has been reviewed before on Bite and Booze. The cask strength version actually didn't fare quite so well in our scoring. The smoke is evident on the nose as the fires of Clifden billow out of the bottle. The taste is like eating burnt chicken from the inside out so the first part is normal but perhaps a little dry but the tail end tastes of charred leather and dried tobacco. The smoke is aggressive and masks all other flavors. It'll warm you up, and certainly has a place by a campfire while smoking a cigar on a cold evening, but other than that the lack of balance will get to you.

Connemara Cask Strength Peated Single Malt Irish Whiskey

Average Score 62.67

Whisk(e)y Wednesday is a blog post series on Bite and Booze sponsored by Calandro's Supermarket. Calandro's has one of Baton Rouge's best selections of bourbon, Scotch, Irish, and other whisk(e)ys as well as wine and craft beer. This WW feature was scored by Jay Ducote, Eric Ducote, and Jeremy Spikes. Scores are marked for Nose, Taste, Finish, and Balance and Complexity using our own proprietary scoring system. Marks are then added and averaged, leaving us with a final score out of a 100 point scale. Our scale should be looked at on the full range of 0-100 rather than an academic range where 70 is passing and anything less is failing. A 50 should be considered a very mediocre whisk(e)y while anything below 20 is absolute horse piss and anything above 90 is rather extraordinary.

Greenore Single Grain: Whisk(e)y Wednesday presented by Calandro's Supermarket

Once again taking a look at Irish Whiskey here on Whisk(e)y Wednesday, today's feature is Greenore Single Grain.  This eight year old from the Cooley Distillery is made of corn, which isn't all that typical of Irish whiskey.  The nose is faint with a bit of honey and sweet maize.  The taste is just as mild with hardly any discernible flavors.  The whiskey is light and clean to a fault.  It is like a slice of white bread dissolving in my mouth and leaving no flavor behind, leaving me wanting some butter or fruit preserves to go with it.  The finish provides the same thing... nothing.  It just disappears.  It is easy drinking, slightly astringent, but has no complexity or even enough flavors to balance.  Even for an Irish, this whiskey is soft.  If you are buying whiskey for somebody who doesn't like the taste of whiskey, this could work.  Otherwise, there are plenty more Irish whiskeys to spend your money on.

Greenore Single Grain Irish Whiskey

Average Score 54.0

Whisk(e)y Wednesday is a blog post series on Bite and Booze sponsored by Calandro's Supermarket. Calandro's has one of Baton Rouge's best selections of bourbon, Scotch, Irish, and other whisk(e)ys as well as wine and craft beer. This WW feature was scored by Jay Ducote, Eric Ducote, and Jeremy Spikes. Scores are marked for Nose, Taste, Finish, and Balance and Complexity using our own proprietary scoring system. Marks are then added and averaged, leaving us with a final score out of a 100 point scale. Our scale should be looked at on the full range of 0-100 rather than an academic range where 70 is passing and anything less is failing. A 50 should be considered a very mediocre whisk(e)y while anything below 20 is absolute horse piss and anything above 90 is rather extraordinary.

Michael Collins Irish Whiskey: Whisk(e)y Wednesday presented by Calandro's Supermarket

Following up on last week's Paddy Old Irish Whiskey, this week we take a look at Michael Collins Irish Whiskey.  Another whiskey that fits the Irish mold, this blended whiskey certainly offers more flavor and a little more overall complexity.  Michael Collins gives off syrupy sweet aroma with notes of honeysuckle and some nostril tingling booze.  On the tongue it retains its sweetness with caramel and vanilla matched by some oaky bitterness on the back end.  There's a little spice and some subtle floral tones.  It finishes smooth in typical Irish fashion.  By no means is Michael Collins complex compared to a good bourbon or Scotch, but the balance is nice and has some different flavors that it is working with.  It won't knock any socks off, but the whiskey is light and drinkable with a subtle sweetness that is nice.

Michael Collins Irish Whiskey

Average Score 65.0

Whisk(e)y Wednesday is a blog post series on Bite and Booze sponsored by Calandro's Supermarket. Calandro's has one of Baton Rouge's best selections of bourbon, Scotch, Irish, and other whisk(e)ys as well as wine and craft beer. This WW feature was scored by Jay Ducote, Eric Ducote, and Jeremy Spikes. Scores are marked for Nose, Taste, Finish, and Balance and Complexity using our own proprietary scoring system. Marks are then added and averaged, leaving us with a final score out of a 100 point scale. Our scale should be looked at on the full range of 0-100 rather than an academic range where 70 is passing and anything less is failing. A 50 should be considered a very mediocre whisk(e)y while anything below 20 is absolute horse piss and anything above 90 is rather extraordinary.

Paddy Old Irish Whiskey: Whisk(e)y Wednesday presented by Calandro's Supermarket

Paddy Old Irish Whiskey

Sometimes an Irish Whiskey can be a little too stereotypically Irish.  Known for their smoothness and refined qualities, Irish Whiskey typically is far from harsh or offensive.  However, to be great, they still need some flavors from the barrels or grains.  Paddy Old Irish Whiskey fell short on the flavor.  The nose is very neutral with hints of grain and hay.  On the palate the whiskey is slightly buttery and perhaps just a tad floral, but ultimately bland and boring.  It is inoffensive to a fault.  There just isn't much there but some notes of grass and malt.  It finishes smoothly because there are no aggressive flavors or notes to interfere.  Perhaps it could be looked at as a good baseline Irish Whiskey because of how right down the middle it is.  There's nothing wrong with it, there's just not much right either.  It would work well for mixed drinks, cocktails, or Irish Coffee.  But more than anything, it is probably just worth having on the shelf for the label.

Paddy Old Irish Whiskey

Average Score 52.0

Whisk(e)y Wednesday is a blog post series on Bite and Booze sponsored by Calandro's Supermarket. Calandro's has one of Baton Rouge's best selections of bourbon, Scotch, Irish, and other whisk(e)ys as well as wine and craft beer. This WW feature was scored by Jay Ducote, Eric Ducote, and Jeremy Spikes. Scores are marked for Nose, Taste, Finish, and Balance and Complexity using our own proprietary scoring system. Marks are then added and averaged, leaving us with a final score out of a 100 point scale. Our scale should be looked at on the full range of 0-100 rather than an academic range where 70 is passing and anything less is failing. A 50 should be considered a very mediocre whisk(e)y while anything below 20 is absolute horse piss and anything above 90 is rather extraordinary.

Knappogue Castle 16 Yr Twinwood: Whisk(e)y Wednesday presented by Calandro's Supermarket

Knappogue Castle 16 Year Twin Wood

Last week on Whisk(e)y Wednesday we reviewed the Knappogue Castle 14 year Twinwood.  This week we'll take a sip of the 16 year to see what differences might come from the aging process.  The first whiff of the 16 brought more oak scents and a sweetness from the wood. It came across as more floral and incredibly smooth with hints of honeysuckle.  The taste also delivered a boozy sweetness that tasted like a delicious syrup highlighted by the sherry casks.  It finished with a vanish as the astringent whiskey evaporated quickly off the tongue.  Easy drinking, the Knappogue Castle 16 year Single Malt Twinwood impressed with its complexity and balance.  I definitely suggest looking for a bottle!

Knappogue Castle 16 Year Twinwood Single Malt Irish Whiskey

Average Score 81.75

Whisk(e)y Wednesday is a blog post series on Bite and Booze sponsored by Calandro's Supermarket. Calandro's has one of Baton Rouge's best selections of bourbon, Scotch, and other whisk(e)ys as well as wine and craft beer. This WW feature was scored by Eric Ducote, Brenton Day, and Charles Pierce. Scores are marked for Nose, Taste, Finish, and Balance and Complexity using our own proprietary scoring system. Marks are then added and averaged, leaving us with a final score out of a 100 point scale. Our scale should be looked at on the full range of 0-100 rather than an academic range where 70 is passing and anything less is failing. A 50 should be considered a very mediocre whisk(e)y while anything below 20 is absolute horse piss and anything above 90 is rather extraordinary.

Knappogue Castle 14 Yr Twinwood: Whisk(e)y Wednesday presented by Calandro's Supermarket

I definitely like Irish Whiskey. It is pure. Triple distilled from barley, Irish Whiskey is gentle, refined, and yet still flavorful. The Knappogue Castle 14 Year Twinwood is a single malt Irish Whiskey. While most Irish Whiskey is blended, this one is not. The nose is clea, crisp, and has a light oak aroma. Eric found it to be medicinal with some herbaceous qualities. The barley is strong on the palate as some stone fruit comes through as well in a warming fashion. The whiskey finishes rather smooth with more fruit and hints of the sherry cask, the second of the twinwood aging process (with the first being used bourbon barrels). The final note reminded me of a caramel apple as it slid down my throat. The whiskey is not very complex, but it is smooth, pleasant, and well balanced. It is a definitely an Irish Whiskey worth enjoying.

Knappogue Castle 14 Year Twinwood Single Malt Irish Whiskey

Average Score 73.0

Whisk(e)y Wednesday is a blog post series on Bite and Booze sponsored by Calandro's Supermarket. Calandro's has one of Baton Rouge's best selections of bourbon, Scotch, and other whisk(e)ys as well as wine and craft beer. This WW feature was scored by Eric Ducote, Brenton Day, and Charles Pierce. Scores are marked for Nose, Taste, Finish, and Balance and Complexity using our own proprietary scoring system. Marks are then added and averaged, leaving us with a final score out of a 100 point scale. Our scale should be looked at on the full range of 0-100 rather than an academic range where 70 is passing and anything less is failing. A 50 should be considered a very mediocre whisk(e)y while anything below 20 is absolute horse piss and anything above 90 is rather extraordinary.

Concannon Irish Whiskey: Whisk(e)y Wednesday presented by Calandro's Supermarket

Venturing back to the Republic of Ireland, Concannon Irish Whiskey presents itself in traditional Irish fashion: smooth and pleasant.  On the nose the whiskey has a fruitness like a mild wine with a hint of smoke and the aroma of grains.  On the tongue the smoke comes through again.  The oak is rather strong, but the whiskey remains smooth.  It would be very nice with a cigar while relaxing on an Irish hillside by a loch.  Concannon is certainly a unique Irish whiskey.  In an interesting touch, Concannon actually owns and operates a vineyard and winery in Ireland.  Their whiskey is aged in ex-bourbon barrels and then blended with malt whiskey that is aged in their own used wine barrels.  Perhaps that's where the extra oak and fruitness comes from!

Concannon Irish Whiskey

Average Score 76.0

Whisk(e)y Wednesday is a blog post series on Bite and Booze sponsored by Calandro's Supermarket. Calandro's has one of Baton Rouge's best selections of bourbon, Scotch, and other whisk(e)ys as well as wine and craft beer. This WW feature was scored by Eric Ducote, Brenton Day, and Charles Pierce. Scores are marked for Nose, Taste, Finish, and Balance and Complexity using our own proprietary scoring system. Marks are then added and averaged, leaving us with a final score out of a 100 point scale. Our scale should be looked at on the full range of 0-100 rather than an academic range where 70 is passing and anything less is failing. A 50 should be considered a very mediocre whisk(e)y while anything below 20 is absolute horse piss and anything above 90 is rather extraordinary.

Bushmills Single Malt: Whisk(e)y Wednesday presented by Calandro's Supermarket

Bushmills Single Malt Irish Whiskey

There is such thing as a single malt Irish Whiskey.  Bushmills is actually from Northern Ireland, part of the United Kingdom, not the Republic of Ireland, but they still make Irish Whiskey.  The nose of this Distillery Reserve whiskey contains scents of wildflowers and honey.  The taste comes across as part fruit, and part the tree that bears the fruit.  Literally, to me the whiskey tastes like a tree.  Jeremy picked up hints of plum that were light and sweet, while Eric found the oaky woodiness from the barrel aging.  More oak was present on the finish, which did not impress all that much.  Still, the whiskey had mature and mellow qualities.  While it lacked in complexity (as many Irish whiskeys do), it did carry a lovely balance and delicate flavor.

Bushmills Single Malt Irish Whiskey

70.75 Average Score

Whisk(e)y Wednesday is a blog post series on Bite and Booze sponsored by Calandro's Supermarket. Calandro's has one of Baton Rouge's best selections of bourbon, Scotch, and other whisk(e)ys as well as wine and craft beer. WW is created and rated by the hosts of Raise a Glass. Scores are marked for Nose, Taste, Finish, and Balance and Complexity using our own propriatary scoring system. Marks are then added and averaged, leaving us with a final score out of a 100 point scale. Our scale should be looked at on the full range of 0-100 rather than an academic range where 70 is passing and anything less is failing. A 50 should be considered a very mediocre whisk(e)y while anything below 20 is absolute horse piss and anything above 90 is rather extraordinary.

Powers Special Reserve 12: Whisk(e)y Wednesday presented by Calandro's Supermarket

Powers Special Reserve 12 Irish Whiskey

Powers Special Reserve 12 year Irish Whiskey made a strong showing with our Raise a Glass judges, earning a lofty 83 average score.  Anything in the 80s is definitely a very drinkable whisk(e)y, and Powers is certainly no exception.  Fruits of fig, honey dew, and cantaloupe filled the nose as well as a little lemon zest in a surprise citrus showing.  The taste had a smooth and toasted profile.  I likened it to toasted Honey Nut Cheerios.  Eric found to be mellow with a little spice while James found notes of caramel and butter.  It finished smooth with a gradual creaminess and superb mouth-feel.  The Powers Gold Label Special Reserve 12 year carried a lovely balance of flavors between sweet, fruity, toasty, and spicy.  The complexity clearly found its home in this Irish whiskey too, which can be rare for the style.  Definitely a whiskey worthy of adding to any collection looking for more variety in Irish spirits. 

Powers Special Reserve 12 Irish Whiskey

83.0 Average Score

Whisk(e)y Wednesday is a blog post series on Bite and Booze sponsored by Calandro's Supermarket. Calandro's has one of Baton Rouge's best selections of bourbon, Scotch, and other whisk(e)ys as well as wine and craft beer. WW is created and rated by the hosts of Raise a Glass. Scores are marked for Nose, Taste, Finish, and Balance and Complexity using our own propriatary scoring system. Marks are then added and averaged, leaving us with a final score out of a 100 point scale. Our scale should be looked at on the full range of 0-100 rather than an academic range where 70 is passing and anything less is failing. A 50 should be considered a very mediocre whisk(e)y while anything below 20 is absolute horse piss and anything above 90 is rather extraordinary.

Connemara Irish Whiskey: Whisk(e)y Wednesday presented by The Cove

Connemara Irish Whiskey

Returning back to Irish Whiskey, this week's Whisk(e)y Wednesday comes with a twist.  Although Connemara is an Irish Whiskey in that it comes from Ireland, it is also a peated single malt, a style associated with Scotch.  The nose is like a wild grass fire and is heavily peated.  On first taste the smooth and sweet whiskey is akin to toasted marshmallows with the burn from fresh embers of a camp fire.  It delivers a light, continuous burn with lingering flavors and a nice smoky finish.  While far from traditional Irish Whiskey, Connemara is worth a try, particularly for a smoky Scotch drinker.  

Connemara Irish Whiskey

72.75 Average Score

Whisk(e)y Wednesday is a blog post series on Bite and Booze presented by The Cove. Check out The Cove in Baton Rouge, LA to browse their selection of over 200 whiskeys (including bourbons) and 325+ Scotch whiskys. Whisk(e)y Wednesday is created and rated by the hosts of Raise a Glass. Scores are marked for Nose, Taste, Finish, and Balance and Complexity using our own propriatary scoring system. Marks are then added and averaged, leaving us with a final score out of a 100 point scale. Our scale should be looked at on the full range of 0-100 rather than an academic range where 70 is passing and anything less is failing. A 50 should be considered a very mediocre whisk(e)y while anything below 10 is absolute horse piss and anything above 90 is rather extraordinary.

Tullamore Dew: Whisk(e)y Wednesday presented by The Cove

Tullamore Dew Irish Whiskey

Whisk(e)y Wednesday returns to Ireland with Tullamore Dew.  This blended Irish whiskey is very reminiscent of traditional triple distilled Irish hooch.  Pleasant citrus on the nose with hints of pear and apple and just a little heat.  The taste presented a blend of spice and floral tones that were very well balanced.  The whiskey finished wonderfully smooth with an excellent symphony of flavors and enough complexity to bring a smile to your face.  This should be the Irish whiskey to take shots with, or by all means to sip.

Tullamore Dew

81.5 Average Score

Whisk(e)y Wednesday is a blog post series on Bite and Booze presented by The Cove. Check out The Cove in Baton Rouge, LA to browse their selection of over 200 whiskeys (including bourbons) and 325+ Scotch whiskys. Whisk(e)y Wednesday is created and rated by the hosts of Raise a Glass. Scores are marked for Nose, Taste, Finish, and Balance and Complexity using our own propriatary scoring system. Marks are then added and averaged, leaving us with a final score out of a 100 point scale. Our scale should be looked at on the full range of 0-100 rather than an academic range where 70 is passing and anything less is failing. A 50 should be considered a very mediocre whisk(e)y while anything below 10 is absolute horse piss and anything above 90 is rather extraordinary.

Kilbeggan Finest: Whisk(e)y Wednesday presented by The Cove

Kilbeggan Finest Irish Whiskey

Another trip to Ireland finds us with a more traditional Irish Whiskey.  Kilbeggan Finest fared pretty well, all things considered.  While it certainly didn't blow any of the Raise a Glass hosts away, it still represented Ireland reasonably well.  James called the Kilbeggan "Irish Whiskey's bratty cousin."  It had a classic Irish nose with hints of honey and smoke in an inoffensive and fresh scent.  Fairly clean on the taste but not extremely refined, Eric described it as "a little rough around the edges on the tongue."  The Kilbeggan finished quickly with moderate spice and honeysuckle.  An easy drinker.

Kilbeggan Finest
68.75
Average Score


Whisk(e)y Wednesday is a blog post series on Bite and Booze presented by The Cove.  Check out The Cove in Baton Rouge, LA to browse their selection of over 200 whiskeys (including bourbons) and 325+ Scotch whiskys.  Whisk(e)y Wednesday is created and rated by the hosts of Raise a Glass.  Scores are marked for Nose, Taste, Finish, and Balance and Complexity using our own propriatary scoring system.  Marks are then added and averaged, leaving us with a final score out of a 100 point scale.  Our scale should be looked at on the full range of 0-100 rather than an academic range where 70 is passing and anything less is failing.  A 50 should be considered a very mediocre whisk(e)y while anything below 10 is absolute horse piss and anything above 90 is rather extraordinary.

Redbreast 12: Whisk(e)y Wednesday presented by The Cove

Redbreast 12 Irish Whiskey

Taking our first Whisk(e)y Wednesday visit to the Republic of Ireland, the Raise a Glass crew sampled the Rebreast Pure Pot Still 12 Year Irish Whiskey.  The nose had hints of dried fruit with a honey sweetness and a slight burn.  Upon first taste were notes of toasted starches, possibly even like a baked potato from an open fire.  The whiskey remained slightly sweet and toasted throughout.  It finished with a mild spice and fairly clean.  Coming purely from a pot still, the Redbreast 12 presented itself as a fine whiskey, though not a quintessential Irish whiskey flavor.

Redbreast 12 Year
77.25
Average Score

Whisk(e)y Wednesday is a blog post series on Bite and Booze presented by The Cove.  Check out The Cove in Baton Rouge, LA to browse their selection of over 200 whiskeys (including bourbons) and 325+ Scotch whiskys.  Whisk(e)y Wednesday is created and rated by the hosts of Raise a Glass.  Scores are marked for Nose, Taste, Finish, and Balance and Complexity using our own propriatary scoring system.  Marks are then added and averaged, leaving us with a final score out of a 100 point scale.  Our scale should be looked at on the full range of 0-100 rather than an academic range where 70 is passing and anything less is failing.  A 50 should be considered a very mediocre whisk(e)y while anything below 10 is absolute horse piss and anything above 90 is rather extraordinary.

Raise a Glass Season 2: Whiskey Tournament!

Season 2 of Raise a Glass starts tonight (Friday, 11-11-11) at 6 PM on WHYR 96.9 FM in Baton Rouge.  It will also be available online and through iTunes shortly.  Raise a Glass is a weekly radio and podcast hosted by myself, Jay Ducote, and my brother Eric Ducote.  It is produced by James Lawson.  The show is about the history, culture, traditions, production, and consumption of alcoholic beverages, and for season 2 we are introducing something new: a Whiskies of the World Tournament!

To find out how this bracket was selected make sure to tune into Raise a Glass tonight at 6 or Sunday at 4 to listen to the Whiskey Bracket Selection Show.  We'll be narrowing down the field on each episode for the next 13 weeks until we get to one winner which will win the prize of the Raise a Glass Best Whiskey/Whisky in the World!!  Have a vote on which whiskies you think should move forward?  Would you like to share your opinions about bourbon, scotch, Tennessee, Canadian, Irish, Japanese, or any other whiskey?  Let us know your thoughts by leaving a comment here or tweeting our show @RaiseaGlass!

Here is the first round matchup from my quadrant of the bracket: Prichard's Tennessee Whiskey versus Blanton's Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey.  We'll announce who moves on from this match up and more on future episodes of Raise a Glass!

First Post

Top o' the morning friendly readers.  Well, actually it is late at night.  This being the first post, I thought I should give a little explanation about what I'm doing here.  The purpose of this blog is to chronicle the many adventures that I have with food and drink.  It will hopefully serve at least two purposes.  First, it will be an excellent way for me to keep up with, and remember, all the meals and beverages that I consume over time.  This will be good for recommending places to eat, thinking about what to cook, and recalling good times spent with good friends around a table or bar.  Secondly, it is meant to be a source for the readers to use to get ideas of their own.  Looking for a review on a restaurant?  Maybe I've been there... and I'll at least tell you what I thought about what I ate.  Most of the culinary and indulgent experiences will come from home, which is Baton Rouge, La.  However, I am a man of travel.  I have been to over 40 of the 50 states, Canada, Mexico, Ireland, Portugal, Belgium, Germany, and The Netherlands, with hopefully many, many more locations all around the world to come.  I hope you enjoy the blog.  Come hungry, start off with a drink to whet your palate, and when you wake up the next day and try to wipe something off your face, don't be surprised if it is the floor!