talk RADIO: Irish Drinks for St Patrick's Day!

Happy St Patrick’s Day! And what an important one it is for us at 3DHQ as we launch our second global TV series on Amazon Prime: The Three Drinkers in Ireland! Whoop Whoop!

To celebrate the launch, Aidy and I are raising a few glasses with Mike Graham at talkRADIO taking in some fabulous Irish tipples:

The Irish Mule

This super simple highball cocktail is a take on the famous version made with vodka and features just three ingredients. Simply fill a highball glass with ice, pour over the whisky and lime, then stir. Top up with ginger beer and garnish with mint.

50ml Irish Whiskey (We’re tasting Slane triple Casked Irish Whiskey)
25ml Fresh lime juice
Ginger beer to taste
A sprig of mint to garnish.

Find Slane Irish Whiskey at Master of Malt for £20.95 in a flash sale, or Waitrose, Amazon, Ocado and more for circa £30

Irish Gin & Tonic

Where there is whiskey produced, you will often also find gin or vodka and there are some stunning gins coming out of Ireland these days. Try this unique Donegal gin, aged in Spanish red wine cakes, which give it a red berry burst of flavour and a pink tint.

25ml Irish Gin (We’re tasting An Dúlamán, Santa Ana, Navy strength gin from Slaibh League Distillers)
Indian Tonic to taste.
Garnish with freeze dried red berries.

Find Santa Ana Gin at Amazon, Master of Malt for circa £45

Chocolate Baileys

This Irish Cream needs no introduction and their chocolate version is even more indulgent than the original! If you’re a fan of double chocolate magnums, think of that melted in a glass - with booze. 

Find it at Tesco for £18

Poìtin

This is literally ’the mother of all whiskeys’ a spirit that used to be distilled from just about anything - sugar beet, potato.. Made illicitly all over Ireland and akin to an Irish Moonshine. It was lethal! Since 1997, production has been regulated and here’s one that is actually rather lovely. It’s made by Killowen Distillery in Northern Ireland and is peachy and aromatic with spicy notes.

Find it at Killowendistillery.com for £34.50

To watch The Three Drinkers in Ireland head over to Amazon Prime Video in your country now!

The Best Irish Whiskey

Words by Colin Hampden-White

Not only did Ireland beat the English at the weekend, but my Celtic cousins have one of their most important national days this week. St Patrick’s Day is not only important in Ireland, but also celebrated across the globe, and not only by the Irish. It gives us all a great excuse (not that we really need one), to find our favourite bottles of Irish whiskey, pop those corks, twist those caps and pour some of the delicious whiskey and celebrate with them.

Irish whiskey is now certainly out of the doldrums. It wasn’t very long ago that there were only two distilleries in Ireland, Bushmills and Midleton, until in 1987 when Cooley come along, and now the storey is entirely different. There are now over 35 distilleries up and running with more in the pipeline. When in the past, I wouldn’t have had to look long at my bottle shelf to find that favourite bottle of Irish whiskey, this St Patrick’s Day, it’s going to take a lot longer. And there’s likely to be more than one or two bottles sampled!

I’ve put together my most enjoyable bottles. Some are old favourites, some are very new, all I know is that they are all delicious, and would make St Patrick proud.

Redbreast 12

I have no idea how many times I’ve written about this whiskey. It is an all-time great and having just spoken to Billy Leighton, their master blender, it’s not going anywhere soon. With a perfect balance of ex Bourbon and ex Sherry cask matured whiskey, this is my ultimate pot still Irish whiskey.

ABV: 40%
Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
Find here: UK £43.50 // US $68.99

Midleton very rare 2021

I have tried many of the Very Rare series from Midleton and haven’t had a weak vintage release yet. First started in 1984, as the years roll on the whiskey placed in the bottle gets older and older and this 21 year old release has whiskies well over 30 years old inside. I tried this last year and was blown away. A real treat.

ABV: 40%
Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
Find here: UK £338.99 // US $349.99

Bushmills 10 year old

Another classic on the Irish whiskey scene. Bushmills 10 is a fruit forward, vanilla hugging, spicey dram of loveliness. Easy to drink and can be paired with so many different foods, this is a whiskey I shall always have on my shelf. If you want a typical Irish triple distilled whiskey, then this is one for you.

ABV: 40%
Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
Find here: UK £31.80 // US $85.99

Waterford The Cuvée

Waterford are known for having terroir driven whiskies. Using old grain varieties distilled from single farms giving unique flavours from each farm. However, they also created a blend of single malt whisky. I know that is a bit of an oxymoron, but they took the whisky distilled from different farms and blended them together. Of course, each whisky in the blend was distilled at Waterford, and therefore still a single malt. The result is a beautifully balanced Irish whisky at a powerful 50% abv which is now a firm favourite of mine.

ABV: 50%
Size: 700ml
Find here: £69.95

Jameson

The all time best selling Irish whiskey in the world. And for a very good reason. It is simply brilliant. Smooth and fruity with a price tag that won’t break the bank. It is as happy in a glass with ice, mixed with coke or in a cocktail as well as simply by itself enjoyed by a warming fire. This is not just a safe bet if you can’t think of anything else this St. Patrick’s day. It’s a sure bet.

ABV: 40%
Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
Find here: UK £21.95 // US $32.99

Roe & Co

I have to admit to being bias about Roe and Coe. It’s distilled by one of my best friends, which gives me all the more reason to love it. Lora Hemy has done a magnificent job creating one of Ireland’s newest whiskies, and this isn’t going to be a flash in the pan. With innovation at the fore, Roe & Coe is going to be an exciting dram to have now and on future St Patrick days.

ABV: 45%
Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
Find here: UK £29.83 // US $32.99

Kilbeggan

One of the oldest sites of known distillation in Ireland, this reborn distillery is lovely and honied and malty. However unusually for an Irish whiskey, it has a little smoke in the background, which is well balanced and gives depth. Something a little different, but one I like very much and I’m sure you will too especially if you don’t like it too smoky.

ABV: 40%
Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
Find here: UK £21.64 // US $36.99

Slane Special Edition

In homage to the music festival at Slane Castle, Slane Whiskey has created this special edition. The festival was started in 1981 with the first headline band being Thin Lizzie, an Irish band known for their song “Whiskey in the jar”. This whiskey has been created with increased use of virgin oak and a mix of both ex bourbon and ex sherry casks. With a higher-than-normal abv of 45%, this turns the flavour volume up to 11!

ABV: 45%
Size: 700ml
Find here: £35.95

Muff Liquor Company Irish Potato Vodka

I know this isn’t a whiskey, but I do know there is the odd person out there who doesn’t enjoy whiskey but would nevertheless want to enjoy a spirit on St Patrick’s day and this vodka is a cracker. Flavoursome by itself and brilliant in a cocktail, and no self respecting whiskey drinker would shy away from having a crack and chinking a glass with you on Thursday and exclaiming, “Slainte”!

ABV: 40%
Size: 700ml
Find here: £35.95

I hope that whets your appetites for Thursday, which for this year will definitely be the new Friday for me, and I hope to be raising a glass to you all this St Patrick’s Day.

Did you know the new The Three Drinkers in Ireland series will be live on Amazon Prime from 17th March? You can find the trailer and more information here.

The Best Luxury Whisky to Gift

Words by Colin Hampden-White 

There are many things I love about Christmas, but the one thing I love the most is the number of new releases and extensions to core ranges that are released in the world of whisky. Especially that nowadays, the world of whisky really does mean the world over. Even through lockdown I have managed to metaphorically travel the globe within the world of whisky. This Christmas I’d like to share with you my favourite luxury whiskies, after all it’s a time of year we like treat those, we love. I’ll begin with my first love, Scotch, and then take you on a little journey to all four corners of the globe in a veritable concoction of exotic flavours.

Scotch

The Glenturret Manager Dram  

Created by distillery manager Ian Renwick, who is known to like peated whisky, he took three American and European oak casks of peated whisky and married them together to create this beautifully sweet peated whisky. With only 500 bottles produced, this is very limited, but there is still some left in the distillery shop.

ABV: 53%
Size: 700ml
Find here: £145

Glen Moray 1998 Barolo Finish Warehouse 1

This is Glen Moray, but not quite as we know it. It has the typical honey and orchard fruits we love in Glen Moray, but it also has a whole lot more. The finishing in Barolo gives the whisky a greater richness. Red fruits are plentiful and arrive on the palate as fresh and confected fruits. Red wine gums are the predominant fruit flavour with lots of sweetness and toasted oak.  A morish whisky which expands the already eclectic wine finished whiskies created by Glen Moray. With only 863 bottles released, I’d make a b-line for one sooner rather than later.

ABV: 52.9%
Size: 700ml
Find here: £143.16

Glenmorangie Signet

I know I extol the virtues of Glenmorangie Signet a lot, but that’s because it is so good. Made by using a small percentage of Chocolate Malt, which is heavily roasted malted barely, this whisky epitomises luxury in a glass with lots of coffee and chocolate flavours alongside manuka honey, toasted oak and soft gentle spices. One of my favourite whiskies of all time and if I’m asked for any recommendations for a special present for someone, this is always on my list. The bottle looks and feels special too with great design, more akin to a premium Cognac to Scotch, it feels special from start to finish.

ABV: 46%
Size: 700ml
Find here: £143.48

Jura 18

This is one of my favourite whiskies from Jura and I think it represents the best value on the planet for an 18 year old whisky. It will not stay at this price for long so stock up whilst you can, I have! Created from a mixture of American and European oak it is rich and smooth with plenty of complexity in the form of fresh and dried fruits. With a subtle touch of spice and fine toasted oak, this whisky punches well above its weight and is certainly a luxury dram.

ABV: 44%
Size: 700ml
Find here: £59.14

Talisker 18  

This is another whisky which is great value at the moment but will be increasing in price very soon. The current stock of this whisky is selling quickly and is already hard to find. Whisky Online still has some at a little more than the original price. When the restock comes next year expect Talisker 18 to be at least 25% more expensive.

ABV: 45.8%
Size: 700ml
Find here: £87

Raasay Single Malt

A new whisky to come to market this year, Raasay has been making waves. Distilled in the western isles of Scotland Raasay is a complex whisky especially considering it isn’t very old. It is also brilliant value for a luxury whisky. I’ve had this whisky in plenty of blind tastings and it is always mistaken for a much more expensive whisky. With lots of red fruits, vanilla fudge and touches of pepper and chocolate, all wrapped up in a sweet cloak of peat and smoke, this is a smooth whisky which is definitely worth trying.

ABV: 46.4%
Size: 700ml
Find here: £48

The Dalmore Port Wood Reserve  

The Dalmore must be one of the few whiskies which everyone associates with luxury. Known for creating whiskies with lots of sherry influence this expression is no different, with lots of Christmas cake aromas and flavours and plenty of spice. What makes this one a little different is the port wood which adds a layer of complexity and deep red fruit flavour, think plumbs and dark cherries. Bottled at an above average strength this whisky is still very smooth. So rather than pass the port this Christmas, try passing the port wood reserve.

ABV: 46.5%
Size: 700ml
Find here: £74.95

World Whisky

Oxford Artisan Distillery The Graduate

The Oxford Artisan Distillery makes their whiskies with ancient grains, and they have so little that they must batch their whiskies. This one is the 6th of their releases and is made with Rye. The colour of the whisky is deep amber, and the flavours are not only typical of rye with oily peppery notes, but also have plenty of underlying fruit and rich toasted oak. A new distillery which is going from strength to strength with every release. And they make a great gin too!

ABV: 51.3%
Size: 700ml
Find here: £89.95

Bushmills 2000  

This expression is a part of the causeway collection from Bushmills. It takes the usual flavours one expects from Bushmills and Irish whisky and turns the volume up. It is rich and complex, and left to build on the palate a huge wave of exotic tropical fruit comes through. A truly luxury Irish whisky and with old Irish malt whisky continuing to rise in price, these will never by found for these prices again. A real treat for this holiday season.

ABV: 54.1%
Size: 700ml
Find here: £259.95

Stauning Rye

Last year I was loving Rye whisky from Stork. This year I’ve been enjoying another European rye whisky but this time from Denmark rather than Germany. With big oily peppery flavours mixed with cooked fruits and sweet oak from fresh barrels, this Rye has a luxury feel and flavour. I would say savour it, but it is so moreish I suspect it won’t last that long on anyone’s shelf.

ABV: 48%
Size: 700ml
Find here: £56.95

Cotswolds Sherry Cask

This is one of the best sherry cask whiskies I tasted in 2021. Not just one of the best from the new world of whisky, but one of the best from everywhere, including Scotland. It delivers the spicy, Christmas cask flavours with such beautiful balance one doesn’t notice it is over 57% ABV. Rich with lots of dried and fresh fruit from both the oak and spirit, it is no doubt a luxury whisky and is an ongoing expression in the Cotswolds core range. So once you’ve tried it this Christmas, it will be there next year for you to enjoy even more.

ABV: 57.4%
Size: 700ml
Find here: £62.95

Kavalan solist Amontillado Sherry Cask

Kavalan produce quite a few single cask ex sherry whiskies, and this is one of my favourites. Not as heavy as an Oloroso sherry cask and not as light as a ex Fino cask, this whisky has a flavour profile which runs right down the middle. There are Christmas cake flavours and spice, but also zesty lemon and a very slight salinity to it. Extremely complex and the epitome of luxury coming from Taiwan.   

ABV: 55.6%
Size: 700ml
Find here: £360

Johnnie Walker Masters of Flavour

Jim Beverage, the Master Blender at Diageo, the creator of Johnnie Walker is about to retire at the end of this year. His last creation, made with the assistance of the whole blending team at Diageo is a 48 year old blended whisky. Masters of Flavour is quite a whisky and tops my luxury whisky for Christmas 2021. Out of most of our reach, but for those who can, should. Only 283 bottles were created, and it is one of the greatest blended whiskies I have tried. Sweet at first, with a complex mix of honey, but clear and crystalline, leading to fresh fruits, then dried with a touch of smoke then building up on the palate. The finish is extraordinarily long, but not drying. Using seven whiskies from Port Dundas, Brora, Glen Albyn, Glenury Royal, Blair Athol, Dalwhinnie and Camronbridge, it is a remarkable whisky to end a difficult year.

ABV: 41.8%
Size: 700ml
Find here: £20,000

Looking for more? We also have Christmas gin, rum, white wine, red wine and gift sets guides available!

Announcing TV Series 2: The Three Drinkers in Ireland

The Three Drinkers return to our screens in February 2022 with a brand new, six-part series on Amazon Prime called ‘The Three Drinkers in Ireland’ - and they've shaken things up!

The Three Drinkers are drinks experts, writers and broadcasters Helena Nicklin and Aidy Smith, joined by a deliciously diverse revolving roster of ‘third drinker’ guests. This will be the second Three Drinkers TV series for Smith and Nicklin who also produce the popular ‘Bring a Bottle’ podcast, run the drink, travel and lifestyle-focused online magazine thethreedrinkers.com and have a growing social media/influencer presence.

A New Focus

Their first Three Drinkers series, ‘The Three Drinkers do Scotch Whisky’, came to our screens on Amazon Prime in 2019 and is still streaming in over 170 countries (in 39 languages) as well as being broadcast in China and on various airlines including British Airways and Lufthansa.

The Three Drinkers in Ireland will take a slightly different tack from the Scotch show, exploring all sorts of drinks beyond the delicious whiskey, from gin and poitin to cider and Irish cream. Aside from discovering some of the country's oldest and most game-changing distilleries, they’ll also be taking a deeper dive into Ireland’s incredible food scene and showcasing some traditional activities such as bog snorkelling, cheesemaking, eel fishing and Irish dancing. The result is an escapist, gastronomic journey with a drinks hook through the picturesque island of Ireland that’s light-hearted and aspirational with plenty of take-home tips. It's the perfect pour of armchair travel and feel-good entertainment.

Nicklin says “We’ve loved bringing everything together here, from the food and drink, to the people, places, culture and tourism of the whole of the island of Ireland. We’ve been blown away by the sheer quality of Irish produce too. It’s world class! Ireland is also the perfect country to visit as the world opens up again, thanks to its wide open spaces and easy accessibility - and it’s a great location for lovers of fantastic food and drink to boot.”

New Guest Presenters

In this series, Aidy and Helena welcome two new faces from the world of food, drink, travel and lifestyle: Beth Brickeden, Irish native, wine consultant and alternative events specialist behind the renowned Drag & Wine Tasting, joins the duo for episodes 1-3, and Eulanda Osagiede, award-winning American travel writer, social influencer and co-founder of the popular travel, food and lifestyle blog ‘Hey! Dip Your Toes in’, comes along for the journey in episodes 4-6.

Along the way, they’ll also be getting a cheeky visit from iconic UK drag queen Vanity Von Glow as well as original ‘third drinker’ and whisk(e)y guru, Colin Hampden-White.

Smith & Nicklin have been keen advocates for better inclusivity within the drinks industry, with Smith being one of the only TV Presenters globally with Tourette Syndrome. He says:

“As part of the LGBTQIA+ community and having faced ongoing hurdles due to stigmas associated with Tourrette’s throughout my career, I’ve been very keen for us to play our part when it comes to increasing diversity and inclusion within the drinks industry. We are delighted that our key guests within this series showcase a more inclusive world; it’s a step forward for the trade and we couldn’t be more delighted to welcome our incredibly talented third drinkers.”

Take Home Tips

The new series sees an evolved format, with to-camera, take-home tips from wine and spirits experts Aidy and Helena, helping viewers navigate their at-home drinks discovery. From advice on forming the perfect egg white flip for cocktails to exciting, Irish-inspired drinks recipes, the duo even offer wine and spirit food pairings with their lifestyle-driven approach.

Smith says “Having been drinks professionals for over 25 years collectively, we felt it was time to take the leap and speak directly to our audience via the TV screen. We’ll be offering them a variety of tips, tricks and wisdom tidbits they can explore for themselves at home”.

Live Dates

The Three Drinkers in Ireland will be live on Amazon Prime in early February 2022 in 130 countries and territories. More information will follow over the coming months.

More about The Three Drinkers in Ireland

The Three Drinkers in Ireland is a feel good, infotainment-style travelogue with a drinks hook that showcases the beauty of Irish gastro-tourism in all its glory. Road trip in style with just the right amount of knowledge thrown in, this armchair travel series follows Aidy, Helena (renowned drinks and lifestyle communicators) and their ‘third drinker’ guests on the ultimate, lifestyle journey through the unique and diverse landscapes of the Emerald Isle.

Along the way, they’ll scope out famous local landmarks and characterful locals before heading off to key stops on their tour of distilleries, orchards, country pubs and more via numerous points of interest, delicious food and unmissable scenery. Packed full of personality and flavour and using a blend of epic drone videography, natural, amusing in-car conversation and sweeping landscape shots, this is Ireland for a new, global audience.

More about Aidy Smith

Aidy Smith is an award-winning TV presenter, journalist and wine and spirits expert. He currently writes a weekly drinks column for the Evening Standard. Aidy is one of the few LGBTQIA+ personalities within the industry and the only TV presenter in the UK with Tourette Syndrome, raising awareness for D&I across the board. He has spent his career developing a fun and curiosity-piquing mind-set to drinks through interactive tastings, video, written and social/influencer content. Find him on social media @Sypped.

More about Helena Nicklin

Helena Nicklin is an award-winning wine and spirits writer, TV and radio broadcaster and judge for various international wine and spirits awards, including the IWSC and The People’s Choice Drinks Awards. Helena also presents a weekly drinks segment on talkRADIO. A working mother of two young children, Helena is a strong supporter of female empowerment in a typically male-dominated industry. Find her on social media @HelenaSips.

More About Beth Brickenden

Working at the forefront of London’s trendy food and wine scene for over a decade since leaving the Emerald Isle, Beth has a wealth of experience and passion for all things wine and dine. Beth is currently heading up the wine for FIEND by Chris Denney whilst continuing to create her legendary wine tastings. She loves producing immersive dining experiences that to date have ranged from life drawing and wine tasting, to drag queens and wine (her two greatest loves). Find her on social media @my.corkscrew.and.i.

More About Eulanda Osagiede

Eulanda Shead-Osagiede is an award-winning food culture and travel journalist, photographer, TV presenter, and DEI marketing consultant. She has been featured in a number of high-profile print and digital publications. As a champion for diversity, equity, and inclusion in the travel and hospitality industry, she has promoted DEI on multiple platforms as a speaker, workshop facilitator, and thought leader. Find her ons social media @dipyourtoesin.

The Best Whiskeys for an Old Fashioned

The Old Fashioned: the whiskey lover’s cocktail, and not old-fashioned at all! The Old Fashioned is a simple cocktail composed of whisk(e)y, sugar, a dash of bitters and a twist of orange. First served at the Waldorf Astoria Bar in New York City, it has always been a classy drink showing off a fantastic spirit, but what whiskeys should you try? Here’s our list of some great whiskeys for a top notch Old Fashioned.

Wild Turkey Longbranch

Wild Turkey Longbranch is a small batch, 8 year old Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey and a collaboration between Wild Turkey master distiller Eddie Russell and the brand's creative director – award-winning actor Matthew McConaughey. The sweet citrus and spices of this bourbon make it perfect for an Old Fashioned, complementing Angostura bitters delectably.

ABV: 43%
Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
Find it here: UK £35.94 // US $34.99

Ezra Brooks Bourbon

Ezra Brooks is a great entry level bourbon if you’re looking for a perfect bourbon without the hefty price tag. The recipe was first produced in 1950 as a competitor to Jack Daniels and the company was even sued by the global whiskey superpower (though JD did end up losing…)! Caramel and vanilla combine together with hints of spice and chocolate giving it a lovely warm finish definitely worthy of an Old Fashioned.

ABV: 40%
Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
Find it here: UK £25.90 // US $20.99

Bulleit Rye 

The only non bourbon on the list, but it makes a stunning Old Fashioned. The high rye content gives a better balance between the whiskey and the sugar in the cocktail meaning your Old Fashioned won’t be overly sweet, as can sometimes be the case. Bulleit Bourbon has been an Old Fashioned favourite for a while, with its higher rye content, but it’s definitely worth trying this whiskey too! 

ABV: 45%
Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
Find it here: UK £35.20 // US $37.99

Woodford Reserve Double Oaked

In its distinctive bottle, Woodford Reserve can get you licking your lips before you even get your hands on it. The Double Oaked is perhaps the most complex of their range, being aged firstly in a standard Woodford Reserve barrel before being moved to a heavily toasted and charred barrel. The bourbon itself has notes of dark fruits combined with beautiful caramel chocolate, roasted hazelnuts and marzipan and in an Old Fashioned, its complexities really shine making it a cocktail to truly be savoured. 

ABV: 43.2%
Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
Find it here: £45.89 // US $58.99

Buffalo Trace Bourbon

Buffalo Trace is another big name in both the Old Fashioned lover community and on the shelves of many a craft bartender. This whiskey has won multiple awards over the years, notably achieving Gold in the American Whiskey Masters 2020, a title it has held since 2017. An Old Fashioned made with Buffalo Trace is smooth, with subtle spice and the bourbon itself is also brilliant value for money, so it is very much worth adding a bottle to your bar cart. 

ABV: 40%
Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
Find it here: UK £26.40 // US $34.99

Knob Creek Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Knob Creek is a bold, flavourful bourbon and bottled at 100 proof leads to a very strong old fashioned. The simplicity of the Old Fashioned cocktail really helps the rich robustness of Knob Creek shine, with its notes of candy floss, a hint of dark chocolate, and a little charred oak. We would definitely recommend the use of ice while mixing up this Old Fashioned to release more of the aromas and flavours but for a bourbon under £40, Knob Creek really delivers.

ABV: 50%
Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
Find it here: UK £34.45 // US $47.99

Fancy trying out a Scotch whisky alternative? The, head over to The Dalmore Old Fashioned or, if it’s an entirely different cocktail you after then we have plenty here!

Whisky Infinity Bottle

Words by Colin Hampden-White

What is an Infinity Bottle?

If you are an avid whisky drinker, you may well have many bottles open at the same time and some of them will have very little left in them. A good way to make space for more bottles is to create what is commonly known as an infinity bottle. This is simply a large bottle (I use 8 and 4 litre Kilner jars), which contain a blend of all the nearly finished bottles in my house. This creates a living blend which as it is drunk and re-filled with different bottles, changes in character as new whiskies are poured into it.

How do you make a whisky infinity bottle?

There are a few tips that will help when creating an infinity bottle:

1. If using a jar with a tap at the bottom, buy extra seals in case one doesn’t last and it begins to leak.

2. Keep peated and non-peated whisky separate. A tiny amount of peat in an un-peated blend can overpower the whisky.

3. Don’t be too precious about pouring your most sought-after whiskies into it. A good whisky will help the blend, and if it is left to oxidise in its own bottle it will simply never be as good as it first tasted.

4. Don’t worry about the size. I use large Kilner jars now, but in the past, I had a simple 750ml decanter. It did the job just as well, I simply had to top it up more frequently!

5. Lastly, if it all goes very wrong and it tastes horrible, don’t be afraid to start again, it’s not worth pouring perfectly good whisky into not so good leading to the end result being unsatisfactory.

I find an infinity bottle both fun and interesting at the same time. I use my blend for long drinks like whiskey and ginger ale when it is an average blend, and occasionally it has been superb, and I’ve sipped it neat or on ice to be able to savour the good blends for longer. But I’m fully in the knowledge that whenever I pour a new whisky into the blend, it will be different. For better or for worse. And that’s what makes it exciting. The art of blending is strange, and a whisky can be far greater than the sum of its parts as new flavours are created by blending. It makes me realise how skilled our whisky blenders of today are. Whether they are blending many casks from a single distillery, or many from many distilleries to keep a brand consistent, their skill is clear, and as for me, I’m happy to keep on practicing.

Wondering which whiskies to try next? Why not have a read through The Best Scotch Whisky to Try This Year or The Best Japanese Whisky to Buy.

The Best Irish Whiskey Distillery Tours

Wherever you stand on whiskey, gin, Poitín and other spirts, when heading to the Emerald Isle, a distillery visit is pretty much essential, especially with the exciting brands coming out of the country. Whether you’re making for cosmopolitan Dublin, busy Belfast or the rugged Wild Atlantic way, here are our picks of the best Irish distilleries you can currently visit.

Jameson Distillery Bow Street, Dublin

If you’re coming to Ireland to drink, you’ve got to come to Jameson. The world’s best-selling Irish whiskey has, as you might expect, a world-class tasting set up in Dublin to match its reputation. Visit the Bow Street distillery any day of the week for a 40-minute tour round the historic brick-fronted building, join 90-minute whiskey blending masterclass or to enjoy a cocktail-making session shaking up three Jameson-studded delights. They even serve drinks to go – the perfect aperitif ahead of a night on the town.

More info and booking details here.

Waterford Distillery, Waterford

Boutiquey distillery Waterford has set itself no small goal: it wants to produce the world’s most ‘unique, complex and profound whisky’ (yep, that’s spelled the Scottish way, without the ‘e’). On a tasting tour, find out what they’re doing to make the dream real – from the big stuff like a terroir-driven approach, featuring ‘single origin’ barley from a select few Irish farms, to the little things like their eye-catching, blue, glass bottles. The sessions are currently on ice due to covid, but keep eyes peeled on the website to find out when they return.

More info and booking details here.

Slane Whiskey, Co. Meath

It’s hard to beat this setting. Slane Whiskey is set on the rolling green estate of Slane Castle, a scenic pile on the River Boyne – a venue that’s also played host to Rolling Stones, U2 and Bruce Springsteen concerts. Ahead of a tasting in the Stalls Bar – the smooth triple-cask blend is all vanilla, butterscotch and baking spice notes – take a tour of the distillery. By the time you leave, you’ll know all about Slane’s sustainably grown estate barley, and its maturation in virgin oak, seasoned Tennessee whiskey and oloroso sherry barrels.

More info and booking details here.

Bushmills Distillery, Co. Offaly

With 400 years of history under its belt, this is the oldest licensed distillery on the planet – and another must-see for your list. Bushmills’s tour is a great introduction to whiskey-making in Ireland, too. As well as hearing about the production process, you’ll visit the towering copper stills, spy ageing barrels and sip two, free samples at the tasting bar. While you’re waiting for the tipples to wear off, have a poke around the gift shop and stock up on your favourite bottles.

More info and booking details here.

Kilbeggan Distillery, Co Westmeath

When this leading Irish distillery, set on river banks to the west of Dublin, was closed in the 1950s, its surrounding namesake town rallied together and bought it. These days, Kilbeggan is owned by Beam-Suntory, but it still retains a local charm with its stone-fronted walls and atmospheric barrel ageing rooms. The hospitality goes beyond paid-for tours; you can also join free daily demonstrations as experts shake up cocktails, brew Irish coffees or share tasting notes from a selection of whiskeys and other spirits, such as Ireland’s famed poitín (traditional Irish, distilled white spirit).

More info and booking details here.

Dingle Distillery, Co. Kerry

Dangling off Dingle, on the epic Wild Atlantic Way driving route, this is one of Ireland’s finest modern artisan distilleries. It’s only been producing since 2012, so it’s early days yet, and your visit will shed insight into the indie side of the whiskey-making and gin-making craft. While you’ll have to hold out for tours to restart (thanks, coronavirus), when they do you can expect them to run multiple times a day, and include a tasting of the distillery’s rowan berry-infused gin and creamy vodka. Bring along a designated driver, and you can pair it with a scenic drive along Ireland’s prettiest coastline.

More info and booking details here.

Clonakilty Distillery, Co. Cork

In the far reaches of Ireland’s south, family-owned Clonakilty is known for its maritime-influenced whiskies. Heritage barley is grown on its own farm and barrels are carefully aged in a coastal warehouse licked by sea-salted winds. Even though the distillery only opened to the public in 2018, it’s already quite the destination. There’s a shop, make-your-own-gin sessions and a restaurant called The Whale’s Tail, dishing up burgers and salt cod fishcakes. But best of all? They run evening tours, so you can go sipping right before your dinner.

More info and booking details here.

Tullamore Dew, Co. Offaly

Now here’s one to get excited about! Best-selling brand Tullamore Dew is getting a shiny new tasting experience, set to open this August in the Irish Midlands. Details are still thin on the ground – watch this space – but expect visits to feature plenty of pours of their honey-hued spirit made with all-Irish grain, and ranging from the smooth original bottling to quirky finishes in ex-cider and XO Caribbean rum casks.

More info and booking details here.

Pearse Lyons, Dublin

It’s not the setting you’d expect from a distillery squirrelled away inside a former church, but indie, family-owned Pearse Lyons in Dublin’s historic Liberties neighbourhood is exactly that, down to the stained glass windows and vaulted ceilings. Pews have been swapped for shiny copper stills and hourly tasting tours will take you through the history of the building, neighbouring graveyard and distillery. A food and whiskey pairing experience is on tap if you feel like an extra treat.

More info and booking details here.

Sliabh Liag, Co. Donegal

Here’s one to add to your watch list. Sliabh Liag Distillers, in the country’s far northwest, is County Donegal’s first legal distillery in 175 years. And when its new distillery opens this autumn in Ardara on Ireland’s scenic Wild Atlantic Way, you’ll be able to join tours taking you through the production history of Irish whiskey, gin and poitín. Of course, due to ageing requirements the whiskey won’t be ready for a while, but while you wait, sample Sliabh Liag’s sublime range of gins, infused with Irish seaweed.

More info and booking details here.

Looking for more places to visit? Then how about checking out The Best Scotch Whisky Distillery Tours or if it’s more whisky information you are after then you'll find plenty here!

Best Scotch Whisky Distillery Tours

We don’t need to tell you we’re big fans of Scotch whisky; chances are you already know thanks to our Amazon Prime series. And while a dram at home always hits the spot, Scotch can taste even more magical when sipped at the source. Whether your thing is Highlands or Lowlands, Islands or Islay – pack those bags for our virtual round-up of Scotland’s best distillery tours. Cheers!

Talisker, Islands

Perched on the shores of jaw-drop-beautiful Skye – full of rolling green hills, misty peaks and fluffy herds of roaming sheep – Talisker’s setting alone is worth the epic journey from the nearest city (Inverness: two and a half hours away). Its sweet, full-bodied malts can be tasted on a Cask Tasting tour, where drams are hand-drawn atmospherically from warehouse casks. Mitigate the long (albeit beautiful) drive with an overnight on this pretty isle; a drive along undulating roads to the north, The Three Chimneys is one of Scotland’s finest restaurants with rooms.

Find more info here

Glenfiddich, Dufftown

If you join just one distillery tour, it might have to be this one. Pedigree aside – world-renowned, family owned Glenfiddich has been distilling in Dufftown since 1887 – this 35-hectare site is one of the most impressive in whiskydom. Rich in detail on the whisky-making process, Glenfiddich’s tours hop between Instagrammable stone-fronted buildings, bottling lines, giant stillhouses and a seriously atmospheric traditional aging warehouse. Guides are lively, answer all your questions, and (obviously) take you through a generous tasting flight of golden Speyside liquor at the end.

Find more info here

Ardbeg, Islay

Seriously smoky, sweet and citric, Ardberg isn’t for the faint-hearted. But fans keen to make the peaty pilgrimage to Islay – a ferry ride or flight from mainland Scotland – can down their fill on a series of daily tours. The 2021 schedule is still being confirmed, but historically a tasting of the core range kicks off at an ambitious 10:30am, then at lunchtime is followed the Committee Bottle Tasting - a set of pours picked by a guide - before peaking in the Old, Mature and Unusual tasting in the afternoon. Book into the distillery’s onsite Seaview Cottage and you can wake up and do the whole thing all over again tomorrow. 

Find more info here

The Dalmore, Alness

One of Scotland’s more accessible distilleries, The Dalmore is stumbling distance from Alness rail station, a hop north of Inverness – so it’s great if you don’t drive (or if, for obvious reasons, you don’t want to). It’s a pretty one too: aged stone buildings, blue shore waters of Cromarty Firth, green fields. Tours are intimate – with a maximum of just about a dozen guests, and often fewer – so there’s plenty of opportunity to ask questions and learn all you’d like about this popular single malt. Videos walk you through proper ‘nosing’ and tasting technique, too, great for whisky beginners.

Find more info here

Glenkinchie, Pencaitland

This Victorian distillery needs to be on your hit-list for two reasons: it’s only a half-hour drive outside of Edinburgh, making it perfect for city-breakers or car-free travellers, and it’s the Lowlands home of Johnny Walker. And in case you need a third – it’s just had a major revamp, with its red-bricked buildings now housing a top-quality multi-levelled visitor experience. A lovely orchard and garden, speckled with blooms in summer, is a great spot to chill and wait out sobriety after a few Highballs in the bar.  

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Glenlivet, Speyside

If we could move into a distillery, it might be this one: set above Speyside hills in a remote glen, with floor-to-ceiling windows along the still room that let sunshine spill in, it’s one of the best-looking distilleries out there. And, if you’re serious about your whisky, it’s one of the finest for deep-dive tastings, too. While many distilleries offer just one tour, Glenlivet has a roster that includes sessions aimed at knowledgeable enthusiasts as well as beginners. They’ll be announcing new experiences very soon, so keep eyes on their website for details.

Find more info here

Glenmorangie, Tain

You’ll get a warm Highland welcome at this famed distillery, home to Scotland’s tallest stills – the copper necks are as long as a fully grown giraffe – and some of its most elegant malts. Set on the banks of Dornoch Firth, Glenmorangie runs a series of expert-led tours that illuminate the whisky-making process from grain to glass. Sign up to The Innovator and you’ll get the chance to taste some of the distillery’s most prized expressions.

Find more info here

Fancy a sneaky peek of some of Scotland’s distilleries while you wait for things to open up again? Then, make sure you check out The Three Drinkers do Scotch Whisky on Amazon Prime!