Which Irish Whiskey to Buy for Mixing? (under $30)
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- Опубліковано 29 чер 2024
- In today's video, we're going to decide which Irish whiskey to buy for mixing cocktails! I've been mixing with the same affordable blended Irish whiskey for years, and decided it was time to put it up against some others in a taste test. There are some amazing Irish Whiskeys out there, but I wanted to keep it under $30 (US) to show that you don't need an expensive bottle to make a good drink. To help me pick the contenders, we took a poll to see what you'd recommend. The engagement was awesome - thank you to everyone who participated!
Blended Irish whiskey tends to be very smooth, so it can be easily overpowered by modifiers like liqueurs and syrups in a cocktail. What I'm looking for is a whiskey that will stand up in a drink, so Az and I will sip and pick a bottle that I'll then use in next week's recipe! Sláinte!
Grab the bottles I use here! 👉 bit.ly/AndersBottleCollection
Patreon: / anderserickson
TIME STAMPS
Intro: 0:00
Explanation / Lineup: 0:50
Clontarf 1014: 4:44
Jameson Irish Whiskey: 7:06
Tullamore DEW: 8:16
Powers Gold Label: 10:04
Slane Irish Whiskey: 13:06
Final Thoughts: 16:48
The Glencairn Whiskey Glass: amzn.to/38yKSDI
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Co-produced with the lovely Azusa "Az" Inaba 🎥 🎨
Thanks to all who participated in the poll! Here we showcase some affordable Irish Whiskey options for the specific purpose of mixing. You certainly don't need a pricey spirit to make a good drink! Hope you enjoy the video, and let me know if you like this sipping/tasting format. (Also thanks for your patience on the upload issues! Everything should be good now 👍). Sláinte, everyone! 🥃 🇮🇪
Second time's a charm! Sláinte!
I saw Clontarf in the shop and I decided to get it because of this video
Great video! Where’s the follow up video where you make a cocktail with Powers? I cannot find it. Thanks!
Could you do one of these tasting videos with Bourbons? Maybe one about the best bourbons for an Old Fashioned? Currently crazy about Makers Mark, MM 46, Cask Strength etc. Would love to know your suggestions.
Tell az that she should try Pepcid or Zantac which are h2 blockers as in histamine blocker (similar to Benadryl) and it can help with asian redness. It doesn’t help everyone but it may help. Plus prevent ulcers 😂
Sorry for the upload oopsies but your ears will be happier with this one 👂
You two have great quality, no concerns. :)
This video episode was so helpful. Irish Whiskey is an area I know next to nothing about! I learned a lot and I have some ideas I want to try out for St. Patrick's Day!! :-) P.S. I also love pretty bottles - well designed!! Oh! I always have one more thing to say!! - it's excellent that you mentioned the issue of intolerance for alcohol, in some Asian individuals. I am actually shocked how few people know about this. I did a research paper, in grad school, in this area and it's a very important issue in medicine. It's good for people to know, more should, and I am glad you left this in the video!!
@@christinecamley Thanks, Christine! So glad you enjoyed it! It was a fun one for us too. And how cool is it that you did a paper on this topic? I also find it surprising that it’s not more commonly known (I agree, it should be!). Cheers to you, and enjoy your weekend!
Man, you two really work SO well onscreen. I made my wife watch this with me first thing and she found it very enjoyable. You should do more in that format and together.
I liiiike
I’ve said this before, but I really love your guys’ laid back style! This felt like hanging out with you two and I smiled the whole time. This inspires me to plan to do a tasting with my (fully vaccinated) friends soon! Cheers!
This makes me happy! Definitely plan a tasting with friends when it’s safe - always a fun time. Thanks, Cory!
Was there a need to mention that you're fully vaccinated 😅
Very laid back and cool BUT still has strong opinions and preferences which I like
@@motameus1 yes
“Oloroso sherry”! LOL “oloroso” means “painful”
I’d highly recommend a trip to the slane distillery for those who are visiting Ireland. An hour outside Dublin and on the site of a lovely castle and the grounds of one of Ireland’s biggest summer music festivals. Slane is a lovely town too.
I’m not Asian at all, but I turn VERY red and hot when I drink…I appreciate you schooling us all on the flush! Never pressure anyone to drink more than they want (or at all). Loved this taste test!
Anders and Azusa this was amazing! It such a great episode with a lot of fun facts. Since I can't get Clontarf, Powers, and Slane, it was interesting to see the review of these three whiskeys. I enjoyed your episode a lot! Slàinte
Really appreciate that, Kevin! Thank you. I wish you had access to all the bottles to try for yourself, but I’m glad you enjoyed the video. Sláinte! 🥃
I didn't think it was possible to like either of you more...then you made a Zelda reference...you two are a joy! Thank you!
We're an Irish brand so it's great to see you repping our popular blends! The reason potstill is named as such is kind of murky but mostly to do with distinguishing our whiskey from scotch malts after the English put heavy taxes on Malted barley and we discovered that the blend of Malted and Unmalted made a deliciously silky, oily and spicey whiskey! It also never touches a column still, staying faithful to the copper! Interestingly Slane gets a bad rep over here but the bottling is lovely and the distillery is great craic to visit!
Thank you for clarifying the potstill classification! That's so interesting about Slane - I did enjoy it. I wish I could visit all of these distilleries!
@@AndersErickson Humble brag but we have connects with the Tully and Jameson distilleries, plus our set/school is right next to the Old Jameson distillery, if you decide to visit Ireland post-pandemic let us know and we'll hook you up! I'm sure they'd love the publicity also
I think Slane might have significant batch variation. Bought a bottle a year or two ago and my mind was blown by the depth of flavour from such an inexpensive blend, but my next bottle after that just tasted very flat and one dimensional. Like the same song being played by a different band.
Can we just talk about the great production quality for a sec? The sound design, editing, great mic quality (no idea if concealed lavalier or a shotgun mic), properly divided sections in the timeline, great video description. And all this seamless hard work and attention to detail, on top of just great content!
It was very confusing when I said to myself "why haven't I seen their videos before?" and was very surprised to see you only have close to 4k subs... It is a crime not to sub to this channel.
Thank you for your hard work! Keep up the passion and keep flashing those wonderful smiles
Thank you so much for the kind words! It means a lot to us - so happy you found the channel. Cheers!
PS. It's a shotgun mic 🤫
I second that! Love the content
YES! Yes, yes, yes, as well as .... yes. I am a show producer & post-productionist since the 70's, for brands I am not allowed to legally name, and I can assure you that YOUR production values and results could stand up against anything we produce in our (no, I will not tell you) studios. KUDOS! And more Az, please. Shout outs to her as Best Crew. Thank you.
I'm just going to say 3 things:
1. I recently found your channel and it's quickly become one of my favorites. I am working my way through all your past videos and they are always informative & entertaining. Keep up the great work!
2. I, like a few others, was surprised that Bushmills was not included.
3. Az needs to be in every video!
Totally loving the channel. Just found you and have picked up several of your recommended bottles. The sampling vids with you and Az are great - very much like we're all hanging out in your bar room. Thanks and cheers!
Great video! I'm surprised no Bushmills! I really enjoy the Black as an everyday sipper which is very affordable - better than most low-end Scotch. White and Red are good if Black isn't available. For those higher-end Irish, I agree, Redbreast is easily an excellent one and Spot is equally as good! Both better than many Scottish or Japanese! I assume there are some better than Redbreast or Spot, so I would love to see a higher-end version of this that showcases their qualities either neat or on-the-rocks! Cheers!
I think it'd be fun to do this again with some higher-end bottles! In our poll, the Bushmills Black was on there, but didn't get picked - still want to give it a shot though. Cheers to you, Andrew!
Right there with you on Bushmills and Bushmills Black
I don’t know how Jamison got in there after drinking, Slane or Tullamore DEW
@@AndersErickson Highly recommended Bushmills - oldest distillery in Ireland, great whiskeys and great distillery tour. And whiskey fact of the day... all Irish whiskey is triple distilled, hence smoother than Scotch by a mile all around. Slainte!
Where I am, the Powers Gold Label and Bushmills Black Bush are only 50 cents apart in price. I love them both with a slight preference at the moment for Powers. Would have loved to have seen the Black Bush in this though.
Am enjoying all of these videos so much. This one is educational and absolutely delightful.
I just got myself a bottle of Slane and it’s as you said- so smooth and long finish! Totally a great bargain! Thanks!
Great videos that are informative (especially for someone new to mixing drinks), interesting & fun to watch! Keep them up; appreciate all the suggestions & categories (e.g., holiday cocktails, hot drinks, etc.).
You two are amazing, thanks for helping me on my cocktail journey. My alcohol journey started with whiskey, and i would say I'm relatively knowledgeable about the topic. That being said i certainly learned quite a bit in this video. Love you both!
Bonus points for Ocarina of Time reference! Always great content, loved the call back:)
Not to worry Oz, I’m really bad at it too but your doing great! Good to have a patient instructor. I love his descriptions - I sense no ego and Anders has good energy- you guys are a good match! Enjoy ❤️🌸😘 love the videos - I make a lot of Anders cocktails 🍹
I used to be a Tullamore Dew dude through and through. But I discovered Slane during the pandemic and it is my go -to: neat, rocks, base cocktail spirit. Smooth and easy forward, nice evolution .
I've been binged watching your videos, and the one i enjoyed the most was this one.
This was like a hangout with you and your bubbly real selves; Much appreciated during the pandemic.
Just sad I missed the poll. (ಥ⌣ಥ)
Thanks, Mark! I’m sure we’ll have more polls in the future. Stay tuned!
Thanks to this video, I bought my first bottle of Power's this week for my latest Shaker and Spoon box! I tasted a little neat before mixing with it, and I could pick out the richness and complexity compared to my usual Jameson. It disappeared a bit into the first drink in the box (turmeric and ginger can do that), but I'm excited to see where I can take it next! Sláinte, all you saints and sinners! 🌹🥃
So, 1st, you two need to do more vids together, chemistry is great, and Anders, im sorry, but she improves the humor haha 2nd, when you were describing the Powers, it could have been a Jamacian Rum description! I 100% need to try this, thank you both!
Thanks, Trevor! I agree - Az lightens these videos up 😂 Definitely try the Powers and see what you think!
I pretty much always have a bottle of Powers on my desk. Its been the main whiskey for me for years. Love your videos, can't believe I am just now seeing this.
I very much enjoyed this video. You guys do a fantastic job and I enjoy watching you both. I look forward to all your videos!!
Thank you, Kathy!
Im new to the channel, but i really like the episodes where Azusa accompanies you. The two of you have really good on screen chemistry and provide a fun and approachable experience.
Thank you so much! It is fun to have her out from behind the camera every so often - hope to do so more often. Cheers!
It's been since you released this before re-watching it. Aside from perfectly fitting my want to explore more Irish whiskey, I also like the format when you both engage in a tasting of new stuff. It's a good help to understand what those that I expect to share the whiskey with may experience. I know it is horrific sounding, but some otherwise lovely ppl are simply not into cocktails but do appreciate tastings.
Tullamore Dew is always in my flask on the golf course. Great drink. Bang for your buck is amazing
Loved the review, learned a lot. Thanks guys!
Thanks, Robin! Cheers!
Thanks for the info, enjoyed your styles very welcoming. Keep up the great work. Salud !!
Doing a great job.I Really love the videos. So easy to watch.
Vids are good quality. You have good knowledge and a personality that makes your vids watchable, cheers from Canada. You have my sub.
Thank you so much! I'm happy you enjoyed the video. Cheers!
I like the tasting format. I do like Irish whiskey but have never had a cocktail mixed with it. On your tasting table, I've only had the Jameson. My preferences are Red Breast 24 and Bushmills Black. You produce very informative and entertaining videos.
I love you both. Great vid. (Irish Canadian here, you taught me a lot.)
My old Irish chemistry teacher told me the specific scientific reason most Irish Whiskey is triple distilled..
*To be sure, to be sure, to be sure!*
😂
Very entertaining and informational. Thanks for making me smile.
Very pleasant presentation. Being Irish, you impressed with your knowledge of how the Irish vary and mix the three types of casks. I rather drink whiskey neat or half and half with still water, no ice. Redbreast is a great whiskey. Ever thought to compare a bourbon, a single malt Scotch and a Jameson or Bushmills.
Love this double-person format!
That was EXCELLENT Anders! I enjoyed the comparison. I have to admit I have never tried the Clontarf ever since a bartender in Ireland told me he pours a great deal of Powers, but wasn't crazy for Clontarf.
He said they just have a castle and don't even make it themselves, so I never went out of my way to get some. Now, I will! The chemistry between you & Azusa is what people long to have and makes the video easy to watch.
Thanks, Ray! Fascinating news about the Clontarf. It makes sense I guess (I couldn't find where the distillery was located). Still love what's in the bottle though - easy sipping for sure! 🥃
Clontarf is owned by Castle Brands who also make Knappogue Castle Whiskey, you're right that the family who owns the company owns the actual castle but sources their liquid elsewhere... I'm gonna take a wild guess here and say you got this info at The Irish Whiskey Museum? I worked there pre pandemic and we had both Powers and Clontarf samplings on our tour for quite a while so we talked about these brands to tourists all the time, most of the staff at the time were big Powers fans too so I wouldn't be surprised
It like you read my mind! I really wanted you to make a video about this!
Always look forward to your videos! Keep at it!
Cheers, Cory! Thank you so much!
It may be because I have enjoyed many over the decades at the Buena Vista Cafe in San Francisco that I prefer Tullamore Dew for my Irish Coffee. It is their preferred whiskey. For my Irish Coffee at home I have tired Jameson’s, even Markers Mark in desperation, but Tullamore Dew and coffee are a pleasurable combination in this drink. Getting the cream to properly float, however, is a work in progress.
Anders, love the channel. Thanks for being Yoda on my cocktail journey! My favorite Irish Whiskey is the Sexton. Probably my favorite whiskey period. Also, very affordable. I believe the last bottle I bought was $25- in NV.
I really enjoyed this video!
Yesssss! Redbreast 12. My go to. $58 in Sherman, TX. Specs
You did great with the notes :-) There's no good or bad actually, It's totally based on your own memories and smell library in what you recognise or associate with a smell/taste. I missed Bushmills in the line-up though. Also a very nice Irish one. I totally agree about the Redbreast 12 (15 is my favourite, but expensive), It's excellent! Just like Yellow spot by the way, give that one a shot too :-) If you like bold flavours, going for a blend Isn't the best way to go since It's blended to create a smooth experience. That said, I understand the price reasoning. I think you'd love Glendronach, and the 12 yo is not that pricey, but I've no idea about the pricing in the states. It has those deep sherry notes that would work very well in (sherry based) cocktails (I assume, still a cocktail newbie). And of course some Islay whisky like Laphroaig 10 or Quarter cask, Ardbeg 10, Caol Ila 12 etc would work very well as bold smokiness in cocktails. There are also some cheaper no-age-statement options like Laphroaig Select which I'm sure would work great in cocktails too, being a more bold pronounced flavour profile and only marginally more expensive as one of those blends. Just my 2 cents. Ow ... and next time maybe try a blind tasting ... you'll be surprised how different the outcome will be :-) Love your energy and videos, keep it up :-D
I agree with your flavor identification on Tullamore DEW 💯 & loved hearing you say banana for a couple. If you haven't tried Green Spot, I highly recommend (for sipping, not mixing). I find it has lovely banana & clove notes.
Thanks for the new to me information on Irish Whiskeys, I feel like I can speak more intelligently about them now while working at Binny’s. This is a great retirement job for me, and I recommend your channel to all of the budding mixologist that come to my store in Downers Grove. Great Videos
Love this. Thank you so much! Cheers!
Loved the video! I’ve always found Irish whiskey to be a nice and smooth drink. You should do one on Scotch Whisky next (Being from Scotland, I may be a wee bit biased haha)
On the point of Jameson's - I've found it to be a good mixing whiskey for people who say they don't like whiskey but are willing to try if I make them a cocktail, and results have always been positive - thus making it a good gateway whiskey to convince someone that even exclusive gin drinkers and sweet-palette peoples can like whiskey cocktails. Have not noticed Powers over here in Latvia so far, but if I see it, will definitely give it a try.
Would love some more videos like this to learn about the different varieties of alcohol to help understand what holds up best in certain drinks or straight
I think you got it right, Anders. Powers is my goto Irish Whiskey, peefect for drinks, irish coffee, sipping. But as you said in the beginning, Redbreast is soo awesome.
I love Zelda as much as I love Cocktails! New to your channel and I love all your content! Cheers!
Cool channel. Good energy! Keep it up
Wot beautiful vibe you guys have … cheers 🍻
Brilliant video, thanks 🙏😅
My favourite Irish is Green Spot. Enjoy your weekend Anders
Thanks again, David! The Green Spot is so tasty! I’d like to do this again with another tier of whiskeys. Cheers!
Green Spot is my go to for sipping. I just wish I could source it locally since I have to drive a couple of hours to get it. The main drawback to living in West Texas.
I’ve got the Slane now, first bottle of it. I like it so far. One of my favorites is The Irishman: Founders Reserve. Good price, pear for days.
That sounds wonderful - love when you get pear on whiskey. I'm accruing quite the list of Irish whiskeys to pick up. Thanks, Joshua!
During our 10 days in Ireland in 2022, we were introduced to Power Gold Label. It was my go to every evening. Where ever i ordered it it seemed to get the barkeep's nod of approval.
Brought a bottle home along with Jameson Triple Triple Triple.. .
I do not like Whisky but great content that has made me smile, Cheers guys
I’m a huge fan of Slane, the triple cask aging is a beautiful idea
Jameson ist always my go to! Love it in a cocktail, love it straight
Definitely can recommend the Jameson stout edition. It's has this beautiful scent and taste of coffee and dark chocolate and I love it just straight without anything
That was a SUPERB review 👏 👌 👍 🙌
Last year someone gave me a sample bottle of Jameson Orange. Move over Baileys, but Jameson Orange made the best tasting Irish coffee with a touch of heavy cream. 😋 I just got a bottle of Tullamore Dew, can't wait to try.
I could watch you guys all day
Thank you for the video!
I would highly suggest you try some Irish whisky from Teeling - they create some amazing whisky that i think works great in many cocktails :D
I would actually love more videos like this. Because I have no idea what I'm doing when I taste whiskey. It's all just so strong. haha. But I did pick up a bottle from a local distillery near me and I think it's super good. If you can get your hands on it, it's called Copper Works Distillery. I recommend it for sure.
Sexton! That’s my favorite. It’s aged in sherry casks. Perfect for sipping.
Azusa, you are 💯 correct. Straight whiskey is hard to pull out all the flavors in the profile. (And not just for beginners.) Try adding a few drops of water to the tipple. That really opens up all the flavors, as does warming it with your palm in a glencairn glass, like you do with cognac.
Tullamore Dew got me through a short but intense period of anxiety and depression. Great with Prozac!👍🍀👍🍀
I love this episode ... it would be so helpful if you do a video for Rum, cause there are an unbelievable varitety of flavours. Greetings from austria
A couple more delicious go tos for me Tyrconnel and Kinahan's. They're both delicious and affordable. Can't recommend them enough.
Great content though! Love the chemistry and having the more "lay" person there.
Great episode
Omg, i love you she was trying to get the correct pitch!! Goals!!!
Highly recommend writers tears and green spot for slightly more expensive but still great value irish whiskey.
Great episode. The Slane is definitely one I will buy and try. Anything aged in Sherry Casks is a winner for me. But I do love sherry, a lot haha.
The sherry cask is what sold me on it too! Really nice on the finish - definitely stood out in the lineup. Cheers to you, Georgi!
@@AndersErickson I am ordering now 😉
2 recommendations....Tullamore Dew Cider cask finish & Sexton (new kid on the block) with a lovely sherry cask finish...both under $30.
hey do you guys have other videos like this where you compare popular bottles of other liquors? Would love to see you do this for rye, bourbon, scotch, maybe even rums and others. Loved watching you two together.
I haven't had Slane yet but all are great selections. I think Clontarf is really underrated especially for the price. Tullamore DEW makes a Cider Cask Finish that I HIGHLY recommend.
nice, Powers Gold Label is my go to cheap whiskey to sip.
I've often gone with Tullamore or Slane. Will have to try Powers to expand my sippin' whiskey list.
As for the singing at the end, completely random i was cleaning the other weekend and found an old scrap book. Have a picture of Anders singing dressed up as the king.
Jeff, that's incredible! That was a lifetime ago - I cringe at the thought of those pictures 😬😂
Hi Anders, you will almost never find Clontarf in Ireland. But more importantly, you ignored the whole Bushmills range. Bushmills Black label is a beautiful smooth blended whiskey and their single malt is everything you would expect, and more,
Love you guys ❤
If you enjoyed the oloroso sherry cask and want something in the same price range as the Readbreast I strongly recommend Greenspot. It spends 75% of it's aging process in used bourbon casks and 25% finishing in sherry. Tastes like green apples and butter cookies, and it's delightful.
Just watched this video haha but love it. I’m terrible at taste profiles but love drinking whiskey and bourbon straight
Great review! Jameson and Tullamore are my go-tos for mixing. I’m tracking down a Red Breast 12 Lustau edition (finished in Lustau sherry casks)
That Lustau edition is so good! I hope you get it soon. The standard 12 year is definitely a favorite of mine. Thanks for the comment, Rob - especially after I had to scrap the first video!
I have only ever had the Red Breast Lustau, once, and sipping it, was amazing! In Vancouver it's about $100.00 a bottle, but it's usually readily available in stock.
@@christinecamley so jealous! It’s listed here at the LCBO in Ontario but rarely in stock... about $100
@@RobsHomeBar Availability can be so frustrating in government liquor stores. I hope stock becomes available soon!
ANDERS!!!! Thanks for such a great video. I accidentally learned something....
Haha. Cheers, Tim! Here's to happy accidents!
amazing Video. If you ever do this again try Teeling Whiskey. It's a much younger distillery from Dublin. they are the only ones (as far as I know) who still make their own whiskey inside Dublin and they are fantastic :)
Really nice selection, love Tully and Red Breast, another one I've liked a lot was Writers Tears, which I got for a writer friend hehe, I just got a bottle of Powers 3 swallows, I missed getting the gold label before the bottle changed, I don't love the new one, I really want to try Slane!
Thanks, Orlando! So many good bottles out there. The Red Breast is an absolute favorite of mine. Cheers!
Great vid thanks guys, very interesting about the Asian metabolism thing
Hey guys! You weren't wrong on the note. A F# = Gb (flat), so bravo, Azusa! BTW, Azusa, I completely agree. Ireland is simply breathtaking. I traveled there in the early Spring of 2010 along the north west coast in and around Dublin. The countryside is amazing and Dublin was a joy to discover.
I am rarely mixing with Irish Whiskey, so I orefer using a higher proof one, like Teeling (Small Batch, Single Grain). All of their iterations are 92 proof, so you can feel it better (I've just used it to make a Cameron's Kick, inspired by the dedicated video, in tandem with a 92 proof Glen Scotia double cask single malt).
If you enjoyed the Slane you will love Glendalough. They also make a kick ass gin.
Want one with Japanese whiskey!
Just rewatching a lot of oldies but goodies 😉 lately and I will add, I am Irish, French, Dutch and German and I too turn red when I drink. My ears, cheeks and neck get red and warm 😊 My husband gives me such a good/hard time about it.
As a Viking from Illinois (family out of Swedona) I'll be picking up a bottle of Clontarf.
Not sure if this has been said but here in Merica Jameson is the Irish in everyone’s home but in Ireland it’s Powers. Powers is what I keep in my cabinet all the time too. I love the Powers 3 swallow as well. It’s worth checking out.
Cornflakes.
That line killed me! Thanks as always for your participation Az!!
I love Az and hearing her opinion!!
I'm so glad you said banana. I thought i was crazy for thinking so as well
Anders, she has so much personally to offer this channel. Loved this video.