THE most quintessential of Irish drinks has always been irresistible to aficionados, but thanks to a huge surge in new admirers from home and abroad the ‘water of life’ is enjoying a big renaissance.
The demand for Irish whiskey, now the world’s fastest-growing premium spirit, is being supported by a raft of new distilleries that have sprung up around the country in recent times.
With around 30 distilleries either in production, or at various stages of development, and still more in the pipeline, the whiskey revival is being felt right across the island of Ireland.
From world-famous drinks like Bushmills, which have been made at Ireland’s oldest working distillery in County Antrim for more than 400 years, to a range of exciting new artisan brands, it means there has never been a better time to explore the home of whiskey with an ‘e.’
The perfect place to start is Dublin’s new look Jameson Distillery Bow St, which continues the phenomenal growth story of the world's best-selling Irish whiskey.
Three different fully-guided tours, story rich and fun, each offer the chance to touch, taste, smell and interact with the famous brand in Dublin, while at Jameson’s refurbished sister brand home in Midleton, County, Cork, three more fully guided experiences are on offer.
In Dublin, the Teeling Whiskey Distillery (above) is another unmissable destination for whiskey fans.
Teeling’s signature tastes were recently recognised at the prestigious 2017 World Whiskies Awards, where the distillery collected the coveted World’s Best Irish Single Grain and World’s Best Irish Single Malt prizes.
For whiskey fans, or anyone with an interest in Dublin’s long association with the spirit, a Teeling’s tour is great first-hand experience of the sounds, smells and feel of a fully operational distillery.
Afterwards, enjoy a handcrafted cocktail from the Teeling mixologist at The Bang Bang Bar with views overlooking the city.
No whiskey fan could miss Dublin’s Whiskey Museum either, which uniquely depicts the origins of Irish whiskey, its rise to glory, its dramatic fall and of course, the current revival of new Irish whiskeys.
Many other whiskey experiences are on offer around the country and they can be explored on the Ireland Whiskey Trail, a free touring guide to distilleries, the best whiskey pubs, hotel bars, well-known and up-and-coming brands, as well as specialised whiskey shops.
The Whiskey Club, at Malones Bar in Glasgow, meets every month. For more information visit: www.facebook.com/GlasgowIrishWhiskeyClub
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