Irish Whiskey Around The World, No 16, Fighting 69th

With America being the largest export market for Irish Whiskey it’s no wonder there’s a whole plethora of brands that feature on liquor store shelves across the pond that are never seen in their home country.

Fighting 69th Irish Whiskey is one of them.

The name honours the 69th US Army Regiment, initially founded in 1849 as an Irish militia in New York.

The brand taps into this rich historical regiment with a label featuring many aspects of this celebrated fighting unit – which you can read about in the website here.

I failed to find any information as to which Irish Distillery – or distilleries – supplied the whiskey for Fighting 69th however.

Nonetheless it does represent the deep Irish connections still extent in the USA.

Sláinte

Irish Whiskey exports hit 1 billion article here.

All images courtesy Fighting 69th Irish Whiskey website here.

Irish Whiskey Around The World No 15, McCormack’s

McCormack’s Irish Whiskey was brought to my attention by a random tweet featuring a photo of a French supermarket spirits shelf.

The discussion mainly revolved around the varying prices brought about by the taxes charged in the respective countries – but what interested me was the fact that sitting beside a well known staple – Bushmills – is a brand unheard of in Ireland – McCormack’s.

A bit of digging reveals it to be a West Cork Distillers brand. For it to be listed in LeClerc stores suggests it’s quite a big seller. A European Supermarket Magazine article from January 2024 has E.Leclerc as the largest retail chain in France – view article here.

Not a bad gig for any Irish Whiskey!

Sláinte

Images courtesy @HelenORahilly & whiskybase.com

Irish Whiskey Around The World, No 14, Kerrighan’s

One of the Irish Whiskeys uncovered in my sojourn to ProWein in Germany was Kerrighan’s.

I had a very quick sample as the show was coming to a close & found it an easy going blended Irish Whiskey.

On searching for further details it appears to be a Great Northern Distillery offering for a French distribution company by the name of Les Producteurs Réunis.

It’s certainly flying the Green for Irish Whiskey in France!

Their website also showcases many other brands spanning various spirits categories.

Pity I didn’t have time to explore more of them at the show!

Sláinte

Les Producteurs Réunis website here.

Highland Park Svein, Single Malt, 40%

Last December I finished a bottle of Johnnie Walker & realised I’d no more opened Scotch.

I posted 4 bottles on X & got the following results.

Which I then ignored – as I was having guests round for Hogmanay & preferred something fun for the doo!

Jack & Victor didn’t last too long into the New Year & as Burn’s Night was fast approaching, complying with the voters wishes by opening Highland Park Svein seemed appropriate.

So who is Svein?

He turns out to be a Viking Warrior that Highland Park have chosen to celebrate their Orkney based heritage on in a bewildering array of relatively short term limited travel retail exclusives.

Blink for too long & the bottle has been discontinued to be replaced with a newer & shinier model for you to drool over.

Perhaps built in obsolescence is the game plan?

Svein appears to suffer a little in the collectibility stakes by being a Non Age Statement – NAS – & presented at 40%.

The promise of peat smoke however is what attracted me – but was almost non-existent on the very soft nose. Just a hint of future promise mixed in with honeyed caramel.

Mild palate too. Doesn’t give much away.

It’s on the finish Svein comes alive with a flourish of smoke displaying a prickly dryness in the mouth – before it fades away.

A rather unremarkable start eventually develops a hint of excitement at the end.

An entertaining pour – but with all the hype around Highland Park – was expecting more.

Sláinte

Highland Park Whisky website here.

Wild Atlantic Irish Whiskey, Rechar Barrel, 40%

One thing I noticed on my travels round Cork was a welcome bias towards regionality in the Irish Whiskey selection on the shelves of local bars & restaurants.

Wild Atlantic Irish Whiskey – from independent blenders & bottlers Kinsale Spirit Co – is a case in point.

Never having encountered it before in my Midlands home area I was happy to order a glass when down South.

There are 2 Wild Atlantic offerings – a Rechar Barrel & IPA Barrel.

I chose the Rechar Barrel – sporting a proud Irish Wolfhound on a blue coloured front label.

Recharring is a popular addition to the classic ex-bourbon cask Irish Whiskey style whereby the barrel in use is given a fresh burning to open up the wood allowing extra flavours to be soaked up by the maturing spirit.

Wild Atlantic Rechar Barrel certainly exhibits rich vanilla & warm caramel aromas.

The palate is fairly easy going while a flourish of prickliness on the finish enlivens this entertaining little number to the Irish Whiskey canon.

Catch it on your travels South!

Sláinte

Kinsale Spirit Co website here.

Grappa Massagli, Lucca, 40%

While on holiday in Lucca I immersed myself into the world of Grappa.

One of the local Vino E Liquori shops did a Grappa with an image of Lucca’s iconic Piazza Anfiteatro on the label.

Safely ensconced in my accommodation a glass was poured.

Clear white spirit indicates a blanco grappa. This usually denotes unaged liquid – although it can be rested in steel vessels to smooth out any rough notes.

There’s a youthful freshness on the nose – but not overpowering.

A smooth & oily palate didn’t give much away.

Smidgen of dark fruitiness on the finish combined with a touch of prickly heat.

More of a novelty souvenir offering rather than a sipper.

Saluti

Massagli shop website here.

Website for Piazza Anfiteatro here.

Ron Pelicano, Jamaican Rum, 40%

I was Lidl shopping for the Sunday lunch & as usual checked out the spirit shelves.

A couple of colourful new rums greeted me!

Both labelled up as Ron Pelicano the blue one hailed from Barbados while the yellow is Jamaican.

I couldn’t resist!

The Jamaican bottle sports the coordinates for Jamaica – along with some information about the island itself plus an outline on the logo – but nothing about the rum inside.

An internet search for Ron Pelicano revealed they have a collection of 6 rums from varying countries & islands all bearing a similar style – just different primary colours.

I must admit to finding them visually attractive & would like to try all 6 – if only to discern the taste difference between each region’s rums.

As it is I’ll start with Jamaica – I’m expecting some fruity funkiness – so what did I find?

Well I don’t know if the vivid yellow bottle is influencing me but I’m getting over-ripe sweet banana of this one – along with a serious dollop of funk too!

The funk follows through with a pleasing mouthfeel replete with juicy fruitiness, a touch of lingering spice & a satisfyingly long finish.

Nice introduction to this latest line of rums from Lidl!

While digging out some background information on this brand I discovered it’s sold in Germany as Ron Bengalo!

& weirder still a thief in Devon made off with a few bottles.

Article from Devon Live Court Reports

I just hope the Venezuelan tasted as good as this Jamaican!

Sláinte

Ron Pelicano webpage here.

Ron Bengalo Lidl page here.

All photos authors own.

Uisce Beatha Irish Whiskey & Celtic FC Irish Whiskey, 40%

Continuing my exploration of recent Irish Whiskey offerings that may have slipped into history are these 2 blends.

Courtesy Celtic Whiskey Shop

Uisce Beatha Real Irish Whiskey, 40%

Released by ROKDrinks – a large multinational company with a varied range of branded products.

Pale in colour – which I always find reassuring. Quite light & gentle nose. Surprisingly rich depth on the palate of sweet vanilla. Lovely warmth to this one with a pleasant prickly frisson on the finish.

Very engaging.

Courtesy Celtic Whiskey Bar & Larder

Celtic FC Irish Whiskey, 40%

Celtic Football Club have released a number of whiskeys over the years for their fans to enjoy.

Pale golden brown. A very gentle nose that grudgingly gives up soft aromas of sweet vanilla. Mild palate that sits easily in the mouth slowly warming to a fruity sweet finish.

Grand

Thoughts

Both of these blends offer easy accessible drinking. There’s no jagged edges or bold off-putting flavours to deter. For my tastes Uisce Beatha does it with more flair & would score the goals in this round.

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A Pair Of Peated Irish Whiskey From The Recent Past, Magilligan & Clonmel, 8 Year Old Peated Single Malts plus a Magilligan non peater, 40%

There’s a misconception Irish Whiskey isn’t peaty.

It has been – for a long time.

Irish Distillers released a 45 Year Old Peated Malt from the Old Midleton Distillery a while ago.

The whiskey for this tasting however came from Cooley – who have done a lot to revive the peaty category in Irish Whiskey.

Trying out a pair of 8 Year Old Peated Single Malts from the same source appealed to me – so let’s dive in!

Image courtesy Celtic Whiskey Bar & Larder

Magilligan Single Malt, 40%

An Irish brand dating from the 1990’s using Cooley malt bottled for Ian Macleod Distillers.

Golden brown colour with decent legs. Fusty leathery nose with a sweet fruitiness & wholesome palate. An appreciative bite on the finish.

Quite a belter!

Courtesy Celtic Whiskey Bar & Larder

Magilligan 8 Year Old Peated Single Malt, 40%

Pale straw with decent legs. Gorgeous coastal iodine like smoke. An almost oily mouthfeel. The fabulous peat stacks up like a cosy warming fire on the finish.

Love this one!

Courtesy Celtic Whiskey Bar & Larder

Clonmel 8 Year Old Peated Single Malt, 40%

Bottled for the Celtic Whiskey Compagnie in France.

Pale straw, decent legs. Soft gentle kiss of turf. Light palate yet smoke comes through. A more balanced well stacked glowing fire gradually fades away.

Nice

Thoughts

A tough choice!

2 gorgeous peaters – the full on Mulligan or gently cultured Clonmel?

Can depend on the mood at the time – but I’m giving it to the fabulous peaty exuberance of Mulligan 8yo.

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Martell VS, Cognac, 40%

Martell Cognac is available in virtually every Irish supermarket.

Not too surprising – Pernod Ricard own the brand.

I picked up this miniature to give it a whirl.

The nose was quite expressive, rich, warm & inviting with a touch of nuttiness.

The nuttiness followed through on the palate which was pleasingly smooth yet offered some depth & fruity complexity.

A welcome soft tannic spice livened up the finish.

Before the phylloxera bug nearly destroyed the vineyards of the late 1800’s Cognac was the spirit of choice.

I can see why after enjoying the flavoursome delights of this Martell VS.

Worth trying.

All images authors own.