Inspired by a visit to see Tony Conigliaro at the unnamed bar at 69 Colebrooke Row in London last fall, where Manhattans are aged in glass vessels to sublime and subtle effect, the barrel aged cocktails I’ve been serving at Clyde Common this year are a decidedly American curiosity.
The rub of aging cocktails in a glass bottle is that the whole premise is built upon subtlety, as we know that spirits aged in glass or steel do so at an unremarkable pace. Being from the United States, where – as everyone is aware – bigger equals better, I pondered the following question: what if you could prepare a large batch of a single, spirit-driven cocktail and age it in a used oak barrel?
A hundred some-odd dollars in liquor later, I was nervously pouring a gallon of pre-batched rye Manhattans into a small, used oak cask whose previous contents were a gallon Madeira wine. I plugged the barrel and sat back in anxious anticipation; if the experiment was a success I’d have a delicious cocktail to share at the bar – if it was a failure then I’d be pouring the restaurant’s money down the floor drain.
Over the next several weeks I popped open the barrel to test my little concoction until I stumbled upon the magic mark at five-to-six weeks. And there it was, lying beautifully on the the finish: a soft blend of oak, wine, caramel and char. That first batch sold out in a matter of days and I was left with a compelling need to push the process even further.
Now, three gallons of Negroni might not be practical for the home enthusiast, but the average bar or restaurant should be able to afford that sort of quantity quite easily. For those of you trying this at home, try searching the internet for one-gallon charred oak casks (stay away from the fancy lacquered kind meant for display in dens and 1980s wine bars) and be sure to let us know what you find in the comments section below.
We procured a small number of used whiskey casks from the Tuthilltown distillery and proceeded to fill them with a large batch of Negronis; and that’s when the magic of barrel aged cocktails grabbed our attention. After six weeks in the bourbon barrel, our Negroni emerged a rare beauty. The sweet vermouth so slightly oxidized, the color paler and rosier than the original, the mid-palate softly mingled with whiskey, the finish long and lingering with oak tannins. We knew we were on to something unique and immediately made plans to take the cask aging program to the next level.
Negronis are now prepared in five-gallon batches and poured into multiple bourbon barrels. Robert Hess’ ubiquitous Trident cocktail is currently resting inside single-malt barrels. The El Presidente (à laMatt Robold), Deshlers, Remember the Maines, they’re all receiving the oaked treatment in a little storage room in the basement of the restaurant that I refer to as my “office”.
Once the cocktail is aged long enough for my taste, I then drain the bottle, straining out any charred bits of wood, and bottle the contents for use by my bartenders. To order, the cocktail is then measured out and poured over ice in a mixing glass, stirred, strained into a cocktail glass, and then garnished with the appropriate garnish. It’s quick and simple, as all of the real work has already been done by the barrel.
Anyway, on to the recipes. As simple as it seems to do, I figured not everyone is going to want to do the math to get started on some of these recipes, so here are a few I’ve figured out:
Negroni
Makes Three Gallons
128 oz (approximately five 750ml bottles) dry gin
128 oz sweet vermouth
128 oz Campari
Stir ingredients together (without ice) and pour into a three-gallon oak barrel. Let rest for five to seven weeks and pour into glass bottles until ready to serve.
Manhattan
Makes Three Gallons
256 oz (approximately ten 750ml bottles) rye whiskey
128 oz (approximately five 750ml bottles) sweet vermouth
7 oz Angostura bitters
Stir ingredients together (without ice) and pour into a three-gallon oak barrel (I prefer a barrel that has previously stored sherry, Madeira, or port wine). Let rest for five to seven weeks and pour into glass bottles until ready to serve.
Trident
Makes Three Gallons
128 oz (approximately five 750ml bottles) aquavit
128 oz dry sherry
128 oz Cynar
7 oz peach bitters
Stir ingredients together (without ice) and pour into a three-gallon oak barrel (I prefer a used single malt barrel). Let rest for five to seven weeks and pour into glass bottles until ready to serve.
Feel free to leave any questions in the comments section below.
My problem with homemade tonic water has always been a flavor profile that was too esoteric for the general audience. This recipe takes some of the positive qualities people have come to understand from commercial tonic water and updated them with fresh ingredients.
One question I'm often asked is "Do you have any drink-related book recommendations?" Well, funny you should ask, I've compiled a list of the ten books every professional bartender or home mixologist should own. I keep every one of these close at hand and have read most of them several times. I suggest you do the same.
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There isn't much I can say about this video that hasn't been said already. If you've read anything I've written about cocktails, you'll understand why this video symbolizes everything wrong with the state of bartending in America today. Watch and learn, but be warned: this one isn't for the feint of heart.
About Me
My name is Jeff Morgenthaler and I'm the head bartender at Clyde Common in Portland, Oregon.
I've been tending bar since 1996 and writing about it since 2004. Mixing drinks has become something of a passion for me in recent years, and I strive to elevate the experience of having a drink from something mundane to something more culinary.
The writing I do here is intended as a work in progress. My recipes are like my opinions: they are constantly being revised and refined as I work them through my mind and my fingers. Comments and participation are encouraged, so please don't feel the need to tread lightly here.
Note: I’m reposting this article from March 27, 2009 for St. Patrick’s Day because, well, it seems appropriate (and easy!) to do so.
Hey Bartender
My South Side Irish Chicago Dad always told me that Jameson was the Catholic whisky and that Bushmills was the whiskey made by “the damn Protestants”. Now this character I met at the bar is trying to tell me it’s the other way around. Help! Who do I believe, the man who raised me, or some drunk I met in a bar? You can see why I am confused.
School Marm
Hey Marm
I was wondering when someone would ask this question. The truth of the matter is, the age-old faux-pas of ordering Bushmills for fear of supporting English aggression and offending the Republic of Ireland is about as Irish as corned beef – which is to say, not very Irish at all but rather Irish-American (Sorry, kids, corned beef is a Jewish invention).
Anyway, both of your sources are wrong, but at least your father got the order right. The widely-accepted Irish-American version is that Jameson is Catholic whiskey and Bushmills is Protestant whiskey. But that’s merely based on geography: Bushmills is from Northern Ireland (a predominantly Protestant region) and Jameson is from Cork – Catholic country.
Jameson was pretty much founded in 1780 when John Jameson – a Scottish guy – purchased the Bow Street Distillery, which at the time was one of the biggest distilleries in Ireland. Now, it’s important to note that the Scottish Reformation occurred in 1560, so odds are in favor of the founder of the Jameson distillery, being Scottish, was a damn Protestant.
Bushmills, on the other hand, was officially licensed in 1608 by King James I (of Bible fame) and despite of its location deep in the heart of Protestant country (and this next bit is straight from my local Bushmills rep, so take it or leave it) has a Catholic as a master distiller.
According to everyone I’ve spoken with on the subject, you only really find this debate in the States, where Irish-American support of the Republic can sometimes be blind and often fueled by the very product we’re speaking of. But none of it means much, anyway: both distilleries are owned by huge international entities: Jameson by French liquor conglomerate Pernod-Ricard, and Bushmills by the English firm Diageo.
As for my preference, I tend to like the lighter Bushmills as it’s the first Irish whiskey I discovered years ago, and I’ve certainly enjoyed my share of Jameson from time to time. But my personal preference is Redbreast, a twelve-year pot still Irish whiskey produced at the Old Midleton Distillery and a real delight to sip while enjoying a late-night Irish breakfast of sausage, egg, pudding and soda bread. Delicious.
Comments
51 Responses to “Ask Your Bartender: Protestant vs. Catholic Whiskey (Repost)”
Funny, I also sought some info from a Bushmills rep when this controversy came up around St. Pattys day! Turned out not to be such a controversy. I’m redbreast girl too, but recently been sipping on the Bushmill’s 10, thought now I’m interested to try Powers Gold Label!
Funny thing is, Jeffrey, that at the end of your debunking of the myth, you subtly reassert its validity in rightly noting that Bushmills is owned by Diageo, a company based in a largely Protestant country, while Jameson is owned by Pernod-Ricard, which is based in a predominantly Catholic country. Funny how these things work out, innit?
Me, I’ll opt mostly for the great spirits of the independent Cooley Distillery, located just north of Dublin. Connemara Cask Strength is a real treat, and Greenore Single Grain is likewise enjoyable. And let us not forget the new cask finishes of The Tyrconnell…
Beaumont – Funny, I thought of addressing that as I was wrapping up the post, but then thought, “Nah, the chuckleheads who read this website aren’t smart enough to draw that conclusion.” Guess I was wrong.
As for those Tyrconnell expressions: major thumbs up.
27 Mar 2009 at 1:12 pm 7. John Claude
When I lived in Providence, there was a lot of Powers drinking going on. I find it to be a little…thick? But there was a bar that had a shot of Powers and a Guinness for $7, so as you can guess I ended up drinking quite a bit of it. Though in the end, I do really prefer Bushmills. Never tried Redbreast for some reason. I’ll take one next time I’m out.
One further chapter in the history that really debunks this myth is that between 1972 and 2005, both Midleton (makers of Jameson) and Bushmills were owned by the same corporation, Irish Distillers. ID was purchased by Pernod Ricard in 1988 and they sold off Bushmills to Diageo in 2005.
Multi-national corporations, of course, know no religious or other loyalty, except to the almighty dollar/pound/Euro.
27 Mar 2009 at 10:25 pm 9. Ciaran
Yup, only the americans give a shit about this stuff anymore.
I came to mention Powers- it seems my work is done. I got into Powers through my wife, ans she learned of it from Shane MacGowan(’s music). Maybe not the best role model, but whaddaya gonna do?
And, fact fans, the space-age Middleton distillery in the far south makes the neutral alcohol for the blends produced at Bushmills up North. And a true story: as a young Dublin barman I was confounded by a true-blue Dubliner who asked for ” a large Shirley Bassey”. Yep, he was referring to a certain product from Bushmills…..
28 Mar 2009 at 11:33 pm 12. LB
Not buying a certain brand of product because of centuries of English overlordship of Ireland is just so stupid on so many levels.
So, so stupid. I am not trying to be offensive here, but really, it is just so dumb. Why not stop purchasing rum to protest Spanish aggression while you are at it. Or champagne to protest Frankish aggression against the Gallo Romans.
29 Mar 2009 at 12:52 pm 13. Mike S.
I love Redbreast and always have a bottle about, but based on some comments here I’ll definitely be picking up a bottle of Powers Gold Label
30 Mar 2009 at 8:56 am 14. ND
This is mildly off topic, but does anyone else find Jameson to be similar in many ways to Wild Turkey bourbon?
30 Mar 2009 at 9:00 am 15. Kelsey Crenshaw
“linseed oil is used on its own or blended with other drying oils, resins and solvents as an impregnator and varnish in wood finishing, as a pigment binder in oil paints, as a plasticizer and hardener in putty and in the manufacture of linoleum.” from wikipedia
Michael Jackson
“Nose
Clean, fresh. hint of linseed. Nuts. Cake
Palate
By far the biggest of this selection. Assertive and complex, with lots of development and seemingly infinite dimension. Ginger cake, brazil nuts, treacle
Finish
Liquorice-like sherry notes
Comment
Delicious, soothing, contemplative. A great whiskey. Makes me want to get on a plane to Dublin immediately.”
“It’s like loving the smell of a sharpie or gasoline, in small way” Kelsey Crenshaw
30 Mar 2009 at 1:27 pm 16. Tim
I will second the Powers recommendation to add some turf to the fire. Although, when faced with only Jameson and Bushmills, I will usually go for the Bushmills. I find Jameson to be a bit too… sweet, I guess. Redbreast makes for good sipping but for my budget Powers is my standby.
I usually drink my whiskey neat but would anyone be able to recommend an Irish whiskey cocktail/mixed drink that doesn’t included coffee or a green liquid?
30 Mar 2009 at 10:14 pm 17. Mike S.
Tim, I made a great Manhattan variation last night with 2oz Powers Gold Label, 1oz Carpano Punt E Mes and a dash or two of Angostura (regular, not orange), stirred up with a cherry garnish and enjoyed it very much indeed. No coffee or anything green.
Regarding the Catholic/Protestant/Jewish/Corn Beef relationship…
Man is walking down the street in Belfast. Robber jumps out of an alley, holds up a gun, and says, “Are you a Protestant or a Catholic?” Man says, “Neither, I’m a jew.” Robber thinks for a moment, says, “but are you a Protestant Jew or a Catholic Jew?”
Alternate version:
“are you a Protestant or a Catholic?”
“neither, I’m a Jew.”
“Then I must be the luckiest Arab in all o’ Ireland!”
01 Apr 2009 at 9:23 am 19. Tim
Thanks, Mike. I should have thought of other whisk(e)y cocktails when typing that last thought. I’ve used Irish Whiskey in Old Fashions and Sours before with tasty results. I’ll have to try a Manhattan next.
02 Apr 2009 at 10:33 am 20. Michael Robertson
Wow, not one mention of Tullamore Dew. It has been my favorite since discovering it at the Buena Vista Cafe in San Francisco. It was their house label Irish before it was readily available in the US. I went to the Distillery in Tullamore(now a museum for the whiskey), it is now produced in Middleton, although it is no longer owned by Pernod-Ricard. Great smooth flavor and a soft long finish. I think Irish whiskey is like Scotch, meant for sipping, not mixing.
03 Apr 2009 at 7:29 am 21. dawoo
No one here has a soft spot in their heart for Paddy’s?
I think Paddy’s may be even rarer in the US than Powers. I’ve never even seen a bottle of Paddy’s (although I haven’t really been making an exhaustive search).
07 Apr 2009 at 10:26 pm 23. Greg in SF
“No one here has a soft spot in their heart for Paddy’s?”
I do.
Bad Catholic that I am, I always drank Bushmills over Jameson. The Protestant/Catholic thing was explained to me as a labor dispute where a bunch of Catholic Derrymen were laid off from the Bushmill’s distillery or some shite.
Currently, I go though a case of Jameson for every bottle of Bushmills that we sell at our bar. Whoever owns Paddy’s also owns one of these bigger brands and wont export to the US because they know they would cannibalize their own market share.
I’m a Redbreast man first when feeling flush, but usually turn to Power’s or the old John J when cash flow is normal.
Paddy is pretty readily available in the New York Metro Area, but I’ve never seen it since I left for warmer climes.
Bushmills I like, but I like Irish Whisky best of all the brown stuff. I don’t generally buy it, but I’ll drink it without complaint. The regular is fine; the Black Bush is nice if maybe too refined for me when I want a dram of Irish.
But the Bushmills Distillery Reserve, a bottle of which my very, very good sister recently brought back as a gift from Belfast, is holy smoking delicious good.
Here’s the real question – why does everyone insist on handing us shots of jameson late night in colorado? is that a catholic thing?
Also – how does Navan end up in a Heineken? Is Misty protestant?
Dear sir, I know you did a bit on”Sangrita”, but I was wondering if you have a good recipe for Sangria. I am going to be the bartender at my college prom, and need a drink that will be popular with “the kids”…
21 Apr 2009 at 11:23 pm 27. D, Muldoon
Mmmm…..Middleton distillery….
While Redbreast is great, wonderful stuff, don’t ever pass up a chance to sample their self-titled Middleton. Just don’t do anything silly like order it on the rocks…it’s way too good for that. Paid 10 Euro for a shot of it in Dublin, and well worth the price.
Thanks for the clarification. I was wondering this myself.
01 May 2009 at 1:07 am 29. Andrew
Hi all, please don’t reinforce past troubles by making brand choices based on hatred. I lived through this and lost people to it, and it saddens me to read this.
Bushmills is a great whisky celebrating an important anniversary this year with an updated look that will appear in late 2009. Jamesons too is lovely.
Oh and Bushmills was NOT licensed to distill in 1608…That’s marketing Bullshit. There were licenses to distill granted in and around the Bushmill’s area in 1608.
01 Aug 2009 at 5:19 pm 32. Patrick
Oh, don’t be a hater, just drink both.
In Ireland they’d drink either, but rarely had enough money for more than a pint ‘o the local beer.
I’d suggest Tullamore Dew, it was founded by Catholics and is still owned by a nice Irish Catholic company.
As the Protestants had pretty much a stranglehold over all shipping in the country, they refused to ship Dew in favor of the Protestant-produced Jameson.
Such days are long over, and Dew is rapidly making up the difference in sales, and has already overtaken Jamison in may countries in Europe.
13 Aug 2009 at 8:40 am 33. Edward
No votes for Dunphey’s? Hmmm.
25 Sep 2009 at 1:54 pm 34. Rob McHardy
Holy moly,
I’m an Irish barman and I am stunned by the ignorant waffle that some Irish Americans spew about the “‘oul sod”.
These two fine whiskeys should be enjoyed in a glass and not on some pseudo-religious podium.
DONT EVER ask an Irish person , north or south if they are catholic or protestant because they will look at you with contempt.
If you want to support Ireland, go and visit and maybe read a few history books and hopefully realise that most normal people don’t give a toss about religious leanings
13 Nov 2009 at 1:00 am 35. Albert
Jesus, Mary and Joseph! Not one of ya mentions Knappogue Castle. In particular – the 1951 offering of which I’ve never tasted its superior. Mind you the order as I see it goes – Knappogue ‘51 > Midleton Rare > Knappogue 15 > Redbreast > Black Bush > Knappogue ‘92 > Tullamore Dew (makes for the best Irish Coffee) > Then take your pick of the Jamesons/Bushmills/Cooley offerings. But generally, if you like it sweet, you like Jamesons products (including Redbreast, 1780, and Powers) If you like it dry, you’ll prefer the Busmills lineup. And if you just like something different – then Cooley’s your distillery (though that Michael Collins stuff is shite).
My two farthings on the matter. ;)
08 Jan 2010 at 2:30 pm 36. paddy hirsch
To complicate the issue even more, Bushmills has been owned by a big drinks corporation since 1972 (first Irish Distillers, now Diageo), but before then it was owned by a Scottish Jew!
10 Mar 2010 at 8:05 am 37. Jamie O'neal
I like Jamesons….and…I like Bushmills…and…I like Tullamore Dew….and I don’t care if they’re made by Indonesian monks that hate my mother…they’re just tasty.
16 Mar 2010 at 6:43 pm 38. G M Brinkman
When Tug McGraw was interviewed after winning the world series in 1980, they asked him what he was going to spend his series winnings on. He said he was going to spend 90% of it on women and Irish whiskey and the other 10% he was going to waste!
Have an O’Hara’s Red and a Jamison on me. Happy St Patty’s Day.
17 Mar 2010 at 11:27 am 39. Drago
My grandmother preferred Bushmills (on ice, with a large splash of water).
And since I inherited her mother’s sideboard, now repurposed as the bar in my den, I shall drink Bushmills tonight.
Colum Egan (Master Distiller of Bushmills) is himself a Catholic. John Jameson was Pentecostal.
One more thing… Since Pernod Ricard shut down the grain stills at the old Bushmills distillery, all of the grain whiskey in Bushmills is from Middleton!
All of this is just silly, Ireland is totally united in the bottle.
The full like of Bushmills (and a couple of other Irish whiskeys) will be available for sampling at Whiskies of the World on March 27th. Check it out: http://whiskiesoftheworld.com
26 Mar 2010 at 8:48 pm 41. Cogsworthy
You claim that it is an Irish-American phenomenon, however up in the six counties Catholics drink Jameson and Prod-Brits drink Bushmills – there is even a bit of violence attached to it.
Spose its kinda like Rangers (hoik-phew) and Celtic FC really.
Polarised.
Bushmills does not, to my certain knowledge, employ Catholics as certain industries/companies are, let us say, ‘reserved’ for one tribe or another in the Black North. It is the oldest licensed distillery by 200 years and was once owned by a Belfast barman who – get this – was a teetotaller and secretly wrote religous tracts damning the Demon Drink!
Jameson’s one-time MD (CEO in the USA) was Andrew Jameson. He was, I believe, top dog in the Orange Order: the vehemently anti-Catholic organization whose best-known figure is the frightening demagogue the Rev. Ian Paisley MP, Euro MP and MLA; universally known ‘Doctor No’.
Funny. Shortly after reading this post I dropped by Mortons to see a bartender friend.
He said, “Shot?”
I go, “Any Irish Whiskey will do”
“You will love this stuff.” -as he grabbed the Red Breast off the shelf.
I did love it.
31 Mar 2010 at 11:08 am 44. Andrew
Bobby,
To my certain knowledge and as am employee of Bushmills (and a Catholic by birth, but an atheist by choice), you are entirely mistaken.
Nevermind the fact that it would be illegal in UK law. We don’t live in the dark ages anymore, though clearly prejudice and ignorance persist…
Andrew
07 Apr 2010 at 9:09 pm 45. Austin
Jeffrey: Your site is awesome!
There’s a scene in season 3 of The Wire that went right over my head: McNulty asks the bartender for a Jameson, and the bartender asks “is Bushmill’s ok?” McNulty comes back with “aw, that’s Protestant whiskey!” Grudgingly, he accepts, but asks for it “neat”. That’s where I paused it and jumped on to google to figure out exactly what “neat” meant, which lead me to this article of yours:
Then I spent another 20 minutes clicking around at random on your site, and then I ended up at this article, neatly explaining the first part of the joke.
My hat is off to you, for your spookily informative collection of posts.
20 Apr 2010 at 8:58 pm 46. Bobby
Redbreast is my favorite but I only buy a bottle or so a year. I generally have several bottles of Irish on hand. Right now Redbreast, Bushmills 10yr Single malt ( drinking neat as I type), Jameson and Michael Collins Blend. I am also a fan of Tullemore and Black Bush. Though I like all of the ones mentioned above more. For a blend, I am really impressed with the Michael Collins. Never been a fan of the Powers.
To comment on a few posts above: I am of Irish descent and remember hearing the “Protestant Whiskey” comments as a kid growing up in New England(I am 50 now). Also, I understand that corned beef and cabbage is not a traditional Irish meal but it is a traditional Irish American Meal, particularly in the North East. I serve it in Texas to my St. Patrick’s day guests and several times a year otherwise.
A few years ago during a trip to Ireland we had dinner at the home of some relatives. We were served……corned beef and cabbage with California wine and a shot of Paddy cut with Bailey’s after dinner. Memories…
21 May 2010 at 8:22 pm 47. Marty
The make up of the folks who work at Bushmills reflects the religous makeup of Northern Ireland – roughly 40% Roman Catholic. The Master Distiller, Colum Eagan, is indeed a Catholic himself and comes from Co. Laois in ROI. The 1608 license is not “marketing shite”, but did refer to the area of the town of Bushmills. there was thought to be up towards 25 distilleries in this town at one time. Many of these came from the grain mills along the Bush River, where the current distillery stands today. The big difference between the two whiskies has nothing to do with religion, which is silly and, in some respects, rather ignorant. Jameson is a blended potstill whiskey (malted + Unmalted grain blended with grain whiskey). Bushmills is produced from 100% malted barley and grain whiskey (which it receives from the Midleton Distillery in Co. Cork where Jameson is made). For this reason, Bushmills has a bigger flavor, while Jameson has a much lighter flavor. Upon this one should decide which whiskey they prefer, and not upon any religous matter. It is about the spirit in the bottle, not in a church. This kind of stupidity makes us look like clowns in the eyes of most real Irish.
22 May 2010 at 6:10 am 48. Kevin Erskine
Marty D. Is that you? Still in Ireland?
22 May 2010 at 9:37 am 49. Marty
Yes, it is me and I have returned.
14 Jun 2010 at 6:52 pm 50. holly jackson
red breast is my favorite single pot still whisky!! best bang for your buck for a sipping whisky.
09 Jul 2010 at 3:05 am 51. Davy
Hi and i take my hat off to Rob Mchardy answer 34..more people should be like you and the world would be a nicer place,anyway there is only one kind of whisky,the answer is in the spelling.
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27 Mar 2009 at 8:17 am 1. Jeff Frane
Redbreast is wonderful, but spendy. Powers Gold Label is also wonderful and dirt cheap.
If I was the kind of person who blogwhored, I would http://tinyurl.com/d92kdl
say more.
27 Mar 2009 at 9:16 am 2. Darcy O'Neil
Powers Gold Label for me, thank you very much. Said to be the favorite of the Emerald Isle too.
27 Mar 2009 at 9:55 am 3. Shaun
Is Redbreast coke or pepsi?
27 Mar 2009 at 9:58 am 4. MissMeaghan
Funny, I also sought some info from a Bushmills rep when this controversy came up around St. Pattys day! Turned out not to be such a controversy. I’m redbreast girl too, but recently been sipping on the Bushmill’s 10, thought now I’m interested to try Powers Gold Label!
27 Mar 2009 at 10:02 am 5. Stephen Beaumont
Funny thing is, Jeffrey, that at the end of your debunking of the myth, you subtly reassert its validity in rightly noting that Bushmills is owned by Diageo, a company based in a largely Protestant country, while Jameson is owned by Pernod-Ricard, which is based in a predominantly Catholic country. Funny how these things work out, innit?
Me, I’ll opt mostly for the great spirits of the independent Cooley Distillery, located just north of Dublin. Connemara Cask Strength is a real treat, and Greenore Single Grain is likewise enjoyable. And let us not forget the new cask finishes of The Tyrconnell…
27 Mar 2009 at 10:26 am 6. Jeffrey Morgenthaler
Beaumont – Funny, I thought of addressing that as I was wrapping up the post, but then thought, “Nah, the chuckleheads who read this website aren’t smart enough to draw that conclusion.” Guess I was wrong.
As for those Tyrconnell expressions: major thumbs up.
27 Mar 2009 at 1:12 pm 7. John Claude
When I lived in Providence, there was a lot of Powers drinking going on. I find it to be a little…thick? But there was a bar that had a shot of Powers and a Guinness for $7, so as you can guess I ended up drinking quite a bit of it. Though in the end, I do really prefer Bushmills. Never tried Redbreast for some reason. I’ll take one next time I’m out.
27 Mar 2009 at 2:11 pm 8. sku
One further chapter in the history that really debunks this myth is that between 1972 and 2005, both Midleton (makers of Jameson) and Bushmills were owned by the same corporation, Irish Distillers. ID was purchased by Pernod Ricard in 1988 and they sold off Bushmills to Diageo in 2005.
Multi-national corporations, of course, know no religious or other loyalty, except to the almighty dollar/pound/Euro.
27 Mar 2009 at 10:25 pm 9. Ciaran
Yup, only the americans give a shit about this stuff anymore.
28 Mar 2009 at 5:24 am 10. Phill
I came to mention Powers- it seems my work is done. I got into Powers through my wife, ans she learned of it from Shane MacGowan(’s music). Maybe not the best role model, but whaddaya gonna do?
28 Mar 2009 at 10:38 am 11. Philip
And, fact fans, the space-age Middleton distillery in the far south makes the neutral alcohol for the blends produced at Bushmills up North. And a true story: as a young Dublin barman I was confounded by a true-blue Dubliner who asked for ” a large Shirley Bassey”. Yep, he was referring to a certain product from Bushmills…..
28 Mar 2009 at 11:33 pm 12. LB
Not buying a certain brand of product because of centuries of English overlordship of Ireland is just so stupid on so many levels.
So, so stupid. I am not trying to be offensive here, but really, it is just so dumb. Why not stop purchasing rum to protest Spanish aggression while you are at it. Or champagne to protest Frankish aggression against the Gallo Romans.
29 Mar 2009 at 12:52 pm 13. Mike S.
I love Redbreast and always have a bottle about, but based on some comments here I’ll definitely be picking up a bottle of Powers Gold Label
30 Mar 2009 at 8:56 am 14. ND
This is mildly off topic, but does anyone else find Jameson to be similar in many ways to Wild Turkey bourbon?
30 Mar 2009 at 9:00 am 15. Kelsey Crenshaw
“linseed oil is used on its own or blended with other drying oils, resins and solvents as an impregnator and varnish in wood finishing, as a pigment binder in oil paints, as a plasticizer and hardener in putty and in the manufacture of linoleum.” from wikipedia
Michael Jackson
“Nose
Clean, fresh. hint of linseed. Nuts. Cake
Palate
By far the biggest of this selection. Assertive and complex, with lots of development and seemingly infinite dimension. Ginger cake, brazil nuts, treacle
Finish
Liquorice-like sherry notes
Comment
Delicious, soothing, contemplative. A great whiskey. Makes me want to get on a plane to Dublin immediately.”
“It’s like loving the smell of a sharpie or gasoline, in small way” Kelsey Crenshaw
30 Mar 2009 at 1:27 pm 16. Tim
I will second the Powers recommendation to add some turf to the fire. Although, when faced with only Jameson and Bushmills, I will usually go for the Bushmills. I find Jameson to be a bit too… sweet, I guess. Redbreast makes for good sipping but for my budget Powers is my standby.
I usually drink my whiskey neat but would anyone be able to recommend an Irish whiskey cocktail/mixed drink that doesn’t included coffee or a green liquid?
30 Mar 2009 at 10:14 pm 17. Mike S.
Tim, I made a great Manhattan variation last night with 2oz Powers Gold Label, 1oz Carpano Punt E Mes and a dash or two of Angostura (regular, not orange), stirred up with a cherry garnish and enjoyed it very much indeed. No coffee or anything green.
31 Mar 2009 at 10:41 am 18. Ted Munat
Regarding the Catholic/Protestant/Jewish/Corn Beef relationship…
Man is walking down the street in Belfast. Robber jumps out of an alley, holds up a gun, and says, “Are you a Protestant or a Catholic?” Man says, “Neither, I’m a jew.” Robber thinks for a moment, says, “but are you a Protestant Jew or a Catholic Jew?”
Alternate version:
“are you a Protestant or a Catholic?”
“neither, I’m a Jew.”
“Then I must be the luckiest Arab in all o’ Ireland!”
01 Apr 2009 at 9:23 am 19. Tim
Thanks, Mike. I should have thought of other whisk(e)y cocktails when typing that last thought. I’ve used Irish Whiskey in Old Fashions and Sours before with tasty results. I’ll have to try a Manhattan next.
02 Apr 2009 at 10:33 am 20. Michael Robertson
Wow, not one mention of Tullamore Dew. It has been my favorite since discovering it at the Buena Vista Cafe in San Francisco. It was their house label Irish before it was readily available in the US. I went to the Distillery in Tullamore(now a museum for the whiskey), it is now produced in Middleton, although it is no longer owned by Pernod-Ricard. Great smooth flavor and a soft long finish. I think Irish whiskey is like Scotch, meant for sipping, not mixing.
03 Apr 2009 at 7:29 am 21. dawoo
No one here has a soft spot in their heart for Paddy’s?
03 Apr 2009 at 5:29 pm 22. Phill
I think Paddy’s may be even rarer in the US than Powers. I’ve never even seen a bottle of Paddy’s (although I haven’t really been making an exhaustive search).
07 Apr 2009 at 10:26 pm 23. Greg in SF
“No one here has a soft spot in their heart for Paddy’s?”
I do.
Bad Catholic that I am, I always drank Bushmills over Jameson. The Protestant/Catholic thing was explained to me as a labor dispute where a bunch of Catholic Derrymen were laid off from the Bushmill’s distillery or some shite.
Currently, I go though a case of Jameson for every bottle of Bushmills that we sell at our bar. Whoever owns Paddy’s also owns one of these bigger brands and wont export to the US because they know they would cannibalize their own market share.
08 Apr 2009 at 11:14 pm 24. Bill
I’m a Redbreast man first when feeling flush, but usually turn to Power’s or the old John J when cash flow is normal.
Paddy is pretty readily available in the New York Metro Area, but I’ve never seen it since I left for warmer climes.
Bushmills I like, but I like Irish Whisky best of all the brown stuff. I don’t generally buy it, but I’ll drink it without complaint. The regular is fine; the Black Bush is nice if maybe too refined for me when I want a dram of Irish.
But the Bushmills Distillery Reserve, a bottle of which my very, very good sister recently brought back as a gift from Belfast, is holy smoking delicious good.
And, no, I won’t share.
09 Apr 2009 at 7:54 pm 25. Jenny Adams
Here’s the real question – why does everyone insist on handing us shots of jameson late night in colorado? is that a catholic thing?
Also – how does Navan end up in a Heineken? Is Misty protestant?
Sincerely,
Surley in Alabama
11 Apr 2009 at 6:01 pm 26. d.clark
Dear sir, I know you did a bit on”Sangrita”, but I was wondering if you have a good recipe for Sangria. I am going to be the bartender at my college prom, and need a drink that will be popular with “the kids”…
21 Apr 2009 at 11:23 pm 27. D, Muldoon
Mmmm…..Middleton distillery….
While Redbreast is great, wonderful stuff, don’t ever pass up a chance to sample their self-titled Middleton. Just don’t do anything silly like order it on the rocks…it’s way too good for that. Paid 10 Euro for a shot of it in Dublin, and well worth the price.
23 Apr 2009 at 7:58 pm 28. Cielo Gold
Thanks for the clarification. I was wondering this myself.
01 May 2009 at 1:07 am 29. Andrew
Hi all, please don’t reinforce past troubles by making brand choices based on hatred. I lived through this and lost people to it, and it saddens me to read this.
Bushmills is a great whisky celebrating an important anniversary this year with an updated look that will appear in late 2009. Jamesons too is lovely.
11 May 2009 at 5:26 am 30. Kevin Erskine
Not enough time to read through comments. But until 2005 BOTH distilleries were owned by Pernod-Ricard.
11 May 2009 at 5:44 am 31. Kevin Erskine
Oh and Bushmills was NOT licensed to distill in 1608…That’s marketing Bullshit. There were licenses to distill granted in and around the Bushmill’s area in 1608.
01 Aug 2009 at 5:19 pm 32. Patrick
Oh, don’t be a hater, just drink both.
In Ireland they’d drink either, but rarely had enough money for more than a pint ‘o the local beer.
I’d suggest Tullamore Dew, it was founded by Catholics and is still owned by a nice Irish Catholic company.
As the Protestants had pretty much a stranglehold over all shipping in the country, they refused to ship Dew in favor of the Protestant-produced Jameson.
Such days are long over, and Dew is rapidly making up the difference in sales, and has already overtaken Jamison in may countries in Europe.
13 Aug 2009 at 8:40 am 33. Edward
No votes for Dunphey’s? Hmmm.
25 Sep 2009 at 1:54 pm 34. Rob McHardy
Holy moly,
I’m an Irish barman and I am stunned by the ignorant waffle that some Irish Americans spew about the “‘oul sod”.
These two fine whiskeys should be enjoyed in a glass and not on some pseudo-religious podium.
DONT EVER ask an Irish person , north or south if they are catholic or protestant because they will look at you with contempt.
If you want to support Ireland, go and visit and maybe read a few history books and hopefully realise that most normal people don’t give a toss about religious leanings
13 Nov 2009 at 1:00 am 35. Albert
Jesus, Mary and Joseph! Not one of ya mentions Knappogue Castle. In particular – the 1951 offering of which I’ve never tasted its superior. Mind you the order as I see it goes – Knappogue ‘51 > Midleton Rare > Knappogue 15 > Redbreast > Black Bush > Knappogue ‘92 > Tullamore Dew (makes for the best Irish Coffee) > Then take your pick of the Jamesons/Bushmills/Cooley offerings. But generally, if you like it sweet, you like Jamesons products (including Redbreast, 1780, and Powers) If you like it dry, you’ll prefer the Busmills lineup. And if you just like something different – then Cooley’s your distillery (though that Michael Collins stuff is shite).
My two farthings on the matter. ;)
08 Jan 2010 at 2:30 pm 36. paddy hirsch
To complicate the issue even more, Bushmills has been owned by a big drinks corporation since 1972 (first Irish Distillers, now Diageo), but before then it was owned by a Scottish Jew!
10 Mar 2010 at 8:05 am 37. Jamie O'neal
I like Jamesons….and…I like Bushmills…and…I like Tullamore Dew….and I don’t care if they’re made by Indonesian monks that hate my mother…they’re just tasty.
16 Mar 2010 at 6:43 pm 38. G M Brinkman
When Tug McGraw was interviewed after winning the world series in 1980, they asked him what he was going to spend his series winnings on. He said he was going to spend 90% of it on women and Irish whiskey and the other 10% he was going to waste!
Have an O’Hara’s Red and a Jamison on me. Happy St Patty’s Day.
17 Mar 2010 at 11:27 am 39. Drago
My grandmother preferred Bushmills (on ice, with a large splash of water).
And since I inherited her mother’s sideboard, now repurposed as the bar in my den, I shall drink Bushmills tonight.
18 Mar 2010 at 10:45 pm 40. Mark Davis
Colum Egan (Master Distiller of Bushmills) is himself a Catholic. John Jameson was Pentecostal.
One more thing… Since Pernod Ricard shut down the grain stills at the old Bushmills distillery, all of the grain whiskey in Bushmills is from Middleton!
All of this is just silly, Ireland is totally united in the bottle.
The full like of Bushmills (and a couple of other Irish whiskeys) will be available for sampling at Whiskies of the World on March 27th. Check it out: http://whiskiesoftheworld.com
26 Mar 2010 at 8:48 pm 41. Cogsworthy
You claim that it is an Irish-American phenomenon, however up in the six counties Catholics drink Jameson and Prod-Brits drink Bushmills – there is even a bit of violence attached to it.
Spose its kinda like Rangers (hoik-phew) and Celtic FC really.
Polarised.
30 Mar 2010 at 5:51 am 42. Bobby
Bushmills does not, to my certain knowledge, employ Catholics as certain industries/companies are, let us say, ‘reserved’ for one tribe or another in the Black North. It is the oldest licensed distillery by 200 years and was once owned by a Belfast barman who – get this – was a teetotaller and secretly wrote religous tracts damning the Demon Drink!
Jameson’s one-time MD (CEO in the USA) was Andrew Jameson. He was, I believe, top dog in the Orange Order: the vehemently anti-Catholic organization whose best-known figure is the frightening demagogue the Rev. Ian Paisley MP, Euro MP and MLA; universally known ‘Doctor No’.
31 Mar 2010 at 10:56 am 43. Jack
Funny. Shortly after reading this post I dropped by Mortons to see a bartender friend.
He said, “Shot?”
I go, “Any Irish Whiskey will do”
“You will love this stuff.” -as he grabbed the Red Breast off the shelf.
I did love it.
31 Mar 2010 at 11:08 am 44. Andrew
Bobby,
To my certain knowledge and as am employee of Bushmills (and a Catholic by birth, but an atheist by choice), you are entirely mistaken.
Nevermind the fact that it would be illegal in UK law. We don’t live in the dark ages anymore, though clearly prejudice and ignorance persist…
Andrew
07 Apr 2010 at 9:09 pm 45. Austin
Jeffrey: Your site is awesome!
There’s a scene in season 3 of The Wire that went right over my head: McNulty asks the bartender for a Jameson, and the bartender asks “is Bushmill’s ok?” McNulty comes back with “aw, that’s Protestant whiskey!” Grudgingly, he accepts, but asks for it “neat”. That’s where I paused it and jumped on to google to figure out exactly what “neat” meant, which lead me to this article of yours:
http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2008/up-neat-straight-up-or-on-the-rocks/
Then I spent another 20 minutes clicking around at random on your site, and then I ended up at this article, neatly explaining the first part of the joke.
My hat is off to you, for your spookily informative collection of posts.
20 Apr 2010 at 8:58 pm 46. Bobby
Redbreast is my favorite but I only buy a bottle or so a year. I generally have several bottles of Irish on hand. Right now Redbreast, Bushmills 10yr Single malt ( drinking neat as I type), Jameson and Michael Collins Blend. I am also a fan of Tullemore and Black Bush. Though I like all of the ones mentioned above more. For a blend, I am really impressed with the Michael Collins. Never been a fan of the Powers.
To comment on a few posts above: I am of Irish descent and remember hearing the “Protestant Whiskey” comments as a kid growing up in New England(I am 50 now). Also, I understand that corned beef and cabbage is not a traditional Irish meal but it is a traditional Irish American Meal, particularly in the North East. I serve it in Texas to my St. Patrick’s day guests and several times a year otherwise.
A few years ago during a trip to Ireland we had dinner at the home of some relatives. We were served……corned beef and cabbage with California wine and a shot of Paddy cut with Bailey’s after dinner. Memories…
21 May 2010 at 8:22 pm 47. Marty
The make up of the folks who work at Bushmills reflects the religous makeup of Northern Ireland – roughly 40% Roman Catholic. The Master Distiller, Colum Eagan, is indeed a Catholic himself and comes from Co. Laois in ROI. The 1608 license is not “marketing shite”, but did refer to the area of the town of Bushmills. there was thought to be up towards 25 distilleries in this town at one time. Many of these came from the grain mills along the Bush River, where the current distillery stands today. The big difference between the two whiskies has nothing to do with religion, which is silly and, in some respects, rather ignorant. Jameson is a blended potstill whiskey (malted + Unmalted grain blended with grain whiskey). Bushmills is produced from 100% malted barley and grain whiskey (which it receives from the Midleton Distillery in Co. Cork where Jameson is made). For this reason, Bushmills has a bigger flavor, while Jameson has a much lighter flavor. Upon this one should decide which whiskey they prefer, and not upon any religous matter. It is about the spirit in the bottle, not in a church. This kind of stupidity makes us look like clowns in the eyes of most real Irish.
22 May 2010 at 6:10 am 48. Kevin Erskine
Marty D. Is that you? Still in Ireland?
22 May 2010 at 9:37 am 49. Marty
Yes, it is me and I have returned.
14 Jun 2010 at 6:52 pm 50. holly jackson
red breast is my favorite single pot still whisky!! best bang for your buck for a sipping whisky.
09 Jul 2010 at 3:05 am 51. Davy
Hi and i take my hat off to Rob Mchardy answer 34..more people should be like you and the world would be a nicer place,anyway there is only one kind of whisky,the answer is in the spelling.