In the brown liquor thread I mentioned single malt Irish. I'll expand on it here.

I learned of single malt Irish a few years ago through an article in Malt Advocate magazine, which listed the 10 best Irish single malts. I had a trip to Ireland scheduled, so I took a copy of the article with me and tried to tast them all in Ireland. Of course, those were the days when you could enjoy a cigar in an Irish pub along with your whiskey. (sigh)

Unfortunately, I don't have the article any longer, but I can remember that I was not able to find all 10. Several Irish publicans wondered how I had ever come across the names of so many esoteric whiskies.

I definitely prefer scotch over Irish whiskey, but I have got to say that some of the Irish single malts are absolutely excellent distillations. The one that I purchased was "The Tyrconnell,"a product of Andrew A. Watt and Company, est. 1762. This is a wonderful drink. I have no idea how it would taste with a splash of water, as I always drink it neat. This whiskey has none of the "bite" I associate with Irish whiskey. It goes down so smoothly, it's scary.

Bottom line: if you have not tried Irish single malts, I certainly recommend you give them a try. As with single malt scotch whisky, each single malt has a distinct flavor and an individual character. And all that I have tried are a nice complement to a cigar.

Don C I was not aware that there were any Irish Single Malts.

I enjoy Jameson Irish Whiskey in my Sunday afternoon coffee in the winter (just a wee dram mind you) because of the unique taste of Irish whiskey.

Do you have the names of any other the Irish single malts?

I enjoy the Irish blends as an occasional counterpoint to Scotches; the Irishes have that buttery, warm quality in contrast with my usual Isla's.

I'll try to do some research on Irish singles and post if I have some time.

WA isn't the best state to live if you like trying new liquors, though; the stores are state-owned and they carry pretty much what they want. Needless to say, selection is limited.

Don Charles,
I saw your post in the brown liquor thread and when I went to the liquor store tonight to buy some scotch, I saw a bottle of Irish "single malt". I bought a bottle of Redbreast 12 yr Pure Pot Still. It was a little pricey~$45, but man is it smooth! As you said, as different from single malt scotch vs blended scotch. Very nice find. Thank you for the post. Matches off with a cigar very well.I have been a single malt scotch drink for many years and this is a welcomed addition. I never knew they existed.

Go Smoke One--
I'm glad you gave it a try--and even more so that you liked it!

Doc Barry--There are only 3 distilleries in Ireland, though there are a number of different labels on bottles. This article from Malt Advocate might be of interest to you and others:
Malt Advocate

I am not very good at describing tastes Ifor cigars or whisk(e)y, so I appreciate the post from GSO who said the taste was "buttery." Try it for yourself and see what you think.

Don Charles_

Perhaps you have heard of Tasmanian (Australian) single malts as well. I had a friend bring me a bottle of Sullivans Cove. Very nice, quite light but with a peaty taste.

I will try the Irish single malts.

Hello from a fellow nutmegger

Greetings, Saxon--

The only place I have heard of that libation is from one of your earlier postings. I like the peaty taste, but usually don't take to light scotches. Should I give it a try?

I live in Canton. Where are you?

Danbury, I would give it a try, I'm not selling it just passing along a new single malt

Where do you buy your cigars usually?

jameson have a number of expressions. I can find the irish whiskeys a little bland, but then I do go for Islay malts so no real surprise. However, I was in Dublin a week or so back and happened upon Midleton Very Rare, very nice. Rich and yet very smooth, pepper and honey.

I was going to buy some at the airport on the way out to match the Caol Ila Distillers Edition that I bought on the way in but was put off by the price. The duty on liquor in ireland is even more than in the UK.

Bushmills offer a range of different aged Irish single malts.

Bushmills is by far my favorite. Black bush original bush, doesn't matter they are all smooth, complex, aromatic, pure joy. And bushy goes well with cigars too. I haven't tried the older stuff bush makes, but I understand they are good too but may not be worth the extra $.

Who needs a $40 bottle of whatever when you can get a 750 of bush on line for about $18?

REDBREAST , single malt Irish whisky, ahhh yes Mothers milk with a kick like mother was eating habaneros