Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/793596
90 / the tasting panel / march 2017 CATEGORY REPORT A Sense of Histy: THE IRISHMAN FOUNDER'S RESERVE Whiskey has been distilled in Ireland since the 12th century, around the same time that the Walsh family first arrived from neighboring Wales. The Walshes have always been a prominent and influential family in Ireland, and Bernard and Rosemary Walsh are maintaining that tradition through the creation of their family whiskey distillery at the 18th century Royal Oak estate in Ireland's Ancient East region. To honor their past and help revive Ireland's longstanding tradition as one of the world's leading producers of high-quality whiskey, Bernard and Rosemary created and released The Irishman Founder's Reserve super-premium whiskey in 2006. The Irishman Founder's Reserve (SRP $34.99) is a pre-Prohibition style of Irish whiskey. Unlike many other Irish whiskies that utilize column stills, Founder's Reserve uses only distillates from traditional copper pot stills, at a mix of 70 percent single malt and 30 percent pure pot still. The triple-distilled whiskey ages in bourbon casks for seven to nine years. The smooth result is not just an enchanting sipper; it's a taste of Irish whiskey history dating back over 300 years. Tasting Notes Round, warm and with a depth of character, the nose offers up autumn spices, toffee, bread pud- ding and orange peel. The peppered peaches and stone-on-orange-peel give a lean textural sensa- tion on the tongue. Cedar and butterscotch are good company on the long finish. 94 —Meridith May PALM BAY INTERNATIONAL Behind-the-Bar Essentials: JAMESON ORIGINAL AND REDBREAST 15 YEAR OLD Any bar worth its salt will offer an expression (or ten) from Cork's Midleton Distillery, home to brands including Jameson, Powers and Redbreast. Often taken for granted in the mar- ketplace or overlooked for newer, "shinier" expressions of Irish whiskey, Jameson made its debut in 1780 at the Bow Street Distillery in Dublin. John Jameson purchased the distillery from his wife's cousin in 1810, and his vision has lived on for over 200 years, through the temperance movement in Ireland, the Irish War for Independence and Prohibition in the U.S., one of the company's biggest markets. Triple-distilled and aged for at least four years, Jameson Original's high-quality ingredients and exceptional taste profile keep consumers coming back for more year-in and year-out; it might not be a hot new release, but this stalwart should never be overlooked. Redbreast began its tale in 1903 when Jameson wanted to expand its offerings and has since grown into the largest-selling single pot still whiskey in the world. Its 15 Year Old expression launched as a limited release in 2005 for La Maison du Whisky in Paris, but when it received strong positive reviews, the brand decided to keep this offering as a permanent expression. The 15 Year Old rests in a combination of casks previously used for Spanish oloroso Sherry and American bourbon. No arguments here! Tasting Notes Jameson Original (SRP $25) Clean, stylish and assured, with mellow malt and grain tones and a nice finish. 90 —Anthony Dias Blue Redbreast 15 Year Old (SRP $90) Medium amber color; smoky, complex nose with toasty oak, dried berry fruits, aromatics and spice box; smooth, lush and showing herbal notes; fleshy and complex with dry, mellow style; long and stunning. 95 —A. D. B. PERNOD RICARD USA