Why I love Ireland

Two bottles that I always have in my cabinet, and replace when necessary are the Bushmills Malt 10 and Red Breast 12 year, made by the Jameson distillery.  The Red Breast was my introduction to better than run-of-the-mill whiskey and so it holds a special place in my heart, but the Bushmills has quite a bit to offer, and I frequently enjoy contrasting the two.

The Red Breast is something of a study in simplicity. The age combined with the sherry cask gives it a smooth, sweet character, light on the tongue and subtle in the nose. The aroma is slightly woody with herbal hints, the body is lightly spiced and carries the sherry through.

The Bushmills Malt 10 is much more mature than either the standard Bushmills, (Baby Bush) which is a blend, or the Red Breast and the triple distillation gives it a smooth, crisp taste. The nose is rich and woody the sherry is evident, but not as distinct as in the Red Breast. The body is more of the characteristic woodiness, with notes of honey and vanilla, but the flavors blossom wonderfully over a few seconds on the tongue.

These two whiskies both exemplify the soul of Irish whiskey quite well. They are smooth, enjoyable and lack the typical smokiness of Scotch and the brash taste of Bourbon. They are reasonably priced at under $40 each so they provide a great way to dip one's toes into the golden streams of whiskey that we Bros wade in so often. Overall I give the Bushmills 10 a 7 and the Red Breast a 6.75.