Taking Stock
Black Bush
Bushmills
Bushmills 10
Bushmills 16
Bushmills 1608
Bushmills 21
Clontarf
Clontarf Reserve
Clontarf Single Malt
Connemara
Connemara 12
Connemara Cask Strength
Feckin
Finian’s Five Provinces
Green Spot
Greenore 8
The Irishman 70
The Irishman Single Malt
Jameson
Jameson 12
Jameson 18
Jameson Gold Reserve
Jameson RVR
Kilbeggan
Knappogue Castle 1951 (yup, finally got one. The subject of a future entry)
Knappogue Castle 1995
Locke's 8 Single Malt
Michael Collins
Michael Collins Single Malt
Midleton VR 2007
Paddy
Power Gold Label
Redbreast 12
Tullamore Dew
Tullamore Dew 10 (not the new single malt)
Tullamore Dew 12
Tyrconnell
That's 37. Most have been procured in the U.S., a couple in Canada and a couple at Duty Free in Ireland or elsewhere. And yes, more are being sought.
I need to find a way to display them. Sadly, I keep them stowed in a pantry cabinet, conveniently close to the glassware but out of sight. I live in an antique house (1780) and most common home bars backs are far too tall for my ceilings. Some custom cabinetry would work but that's down my list of priorities at the moment. Let me know if you've seen or heard of good display methods I should take a look at.
I live in Virginia, but have a job driving a bus to New York City twice a week. During one of my more recent excursions, I found a liquor store that sold Greenore and Connemara Cask Strength, two whiskies I hadn't yet seen in the states, and then just today, I found a merchant that stocks Bushmills 21. Since I'm given roughly a $75 per diem, I've taken to bringing home some of these finds, and my collection is skyrocketing, I might have about half of your collection.
I think when I get home, I'm going to crack open the Connemara Cask Strength, but I have to admit, I'm a bit apprehensive. Anything I should be keeping in mind when I try it, or should I go in with an open mind and no expectations?
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Tom: I find that people either love it or hate it. It really takes no prisoners. I say just go in with an open mind and let it work its magic. Faintest nose and color (no caramel in there), initial heat and strong peat, oak, straw fruit, etc., and nicely mild finish. And I must say, what a great funding mechanism for your collection.
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Rich:
Thanks for the informative and interesting website. It has helped to rekindle an interest in Irish whiskey. We grew up in an Irish family where a bottle of Paddy's was usually around when a friend of my Dad's stopped by. I have been collecting some of the bottles mentioned including a bottle of Green Spot brought back from a bar in Galway recently. I think globally there is a real opportunity for a renaissance in Irish whiskey.
Keep it up!
Slainte,
Jack
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Thanks much for the encouraging words, Jack. Sounds like you popped into Freeney's. Gotta love that Green Spot! And I like the thought of us being "renaissance men." Slåinte, Rich
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Jim tells me he is about to retire and drink all of the stuff on your list to check it is OK.
I'm an old Inmarsat colleague of Jim's from the 90's
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I know I'm late on the uptake of this article but I couldn't resist. You say your house is built in 1780, thats some coincidence as the jameson distillery was set up in Dublin in 1780, you surely have to pay some sort of tribute to the date in your display!!
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You're right. I need to append the "Built in" sign on the front of the house to work the Jameson Distillery founding date mention on there too. Good call!
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