This St. Patrick’s Day, offer your guests something unexpected in the way of Irish whiskey.
The category has taken off in recent years and distillers have been innovating, bringing new brands, new permanent expressions, and new flavors to market.
There’s nothing wrong with relying the tried and true: Jameson Original, Bushmills Original, Tullamore D.E.W. Original and Redbreast 12 Year Old.
In fact, you should be well stocked on each of those whiskeys and more in preparation for what’s becoming the most important bar day of the year. But today’s guest is often looking for what’s new or unexpected, and they’re willing to pay to do so.
Read this: 10 Drink Recipes for Your Special St. Patrick's Day Cocktail Menu
The bottles below present the opportunity to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with something new while boosting your revenue.
Jameson Cold Brew $37 (30% ABV)
Released earlier this year, the latest expression of Jameson combines two popular drink categories: Irish whiskey and cold brew coffee. Now, the purists will argue that this infusion can’t be considered a whiskey because cold brew was added, making it a liqueur. That’s fine—you can’t please everyone but you can serve up Irish Coffees quick with Jameson Cold Brew.
The serve: Jameson Cold Brew & Cola
Recipe and image courtesy of Jameson
- 1 part Jameson Cold Brew
- 2 parts Cola
- Orange peel to garnish
Build over ice in a high ball glass. Garnish with orange peel.
Roe & Co. Irish Whiskey $32.99 (45% ABV)
The Roe family has been in the whiskey distilling business since the 18th century. In the mid-1800s, George Roe expanded the family business, transforming it into what was at the time the biggest distillery in Ireland (and is a neighbor of the Guinness brewery). Roe & Co. is one of the newest Irish whiskeys on the market, an elegant, premium spirit reborn for the 21st century.
The serve: Roe Ginger Sour
Recipe and image courtesy of Roe & Co.
- 1.75 oz. Roe & Co
- 0.75 oz. Fresh lemon juice
- 0.75 oz. Pear liqueur
- 0.5 oz. Sugar syrup
- 1 piece of Fresh ginger
- 1 Egg white
- Fresh ginger root to garnish
Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker and fill with ice. Shake hard and double strain over ice in a rocks glass. Garnish with a fresh piece of ginger root.
The Whistler Double Oaked $29.99 (40% ABV)
This Irish whiskey is produced in Boyne Valley, an ancient area of Ireland. The Whistler is a new line that includes an Irish cream, a honey-flavored expression, and this Double Oaked whiskey. As the name implies, this small-batch blend is aged by Boann Distillery in two casks—oloroso sherry and bourbon—which results in a full body and complexity.
The serve: Neat
Kilbeggan Single Pot Still $44.99 (43% ABV)
This limited-edition Irish whiskey honors traditional distilling techniques. Not only was the mash bill inspired by 19th century Kilbeggan recipes (malted barley, raw barley and 2.5 percent oats), this style of whiskey is the first to be distilled in Ireland. In fact, one of the stills used in the production of Kilbeggan’s latest expression is the oldest copper pot still working in the world.
The serve: Best neat or on the rocks, or in The Wheel
Recipe and image courtesy of Kilbeggan
- 2 parts Kilbeggan Single Pot Still (replacing Kilbeggan Single Grain)
- ½ part Aperol
- ¾ part Lime juice
- ¾ part Simple syrup
- 2 dashes Absinthe
Combine ingredients, shake with ice, and serve on the rocks.
Redbreast 27 Year Old $500 (54.6% ABV)
In addition to boasting a nearly three-decade age statement, the newest expression of Redbreast is evidence of Irish distiller and blender innovation, along with a commitment to producing ultra-premium whiskeys. A portion of Redbreast 27 Year Old is matured in ruby port barrels from Portugal’s Douro Valley. While this Irish whiskey will be produced in small quantities, 27 Year Old is a permanent addition to Redbreast’s core line.
The Serve: Neat to savor the exotic fruit and berry, wood spice, stone fruit, vanilla, cinnamon, red pepper, nutmeg, toasted oak, and cherry menthol notes, rich and luxurious texture, and long finish.
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