The Local Sells a Freakin’ Lot of Jameson
Jameson Irish Whiskey
A lot like, a lot a lot. As in more Jameson Irish Whiskey (by far, apparently) than any other establishment in the world, including those in Ireland. Two years in a row.
So The Local is celebrating Wednesday, Sep 10, with reps from Jameson. Actual Irish people! There will be awards and whiskey. Awards at 9:30. Whiskey all night. No word if there’s any free whiskey or faeries. You could, of course, celebrate at any time by going to The Local and having some whiskey.
Score one for Wikipedia: “Irish whiskey (Irish: Fuisce or Uisce beatha) is a whiskey made in Ireland.” Well no shit, Sherlock!
I did learn that “whisky” is made in Scotland, Wales, Canada, Australia, and Japan (Japan?!) and “whiskey” is only made in Ireland and the U.S.
So that’s cool and all, but as someone who’s not a whiskey drinker, is Jameson a good whiskey to drink? I mean, is this really a feat? If they don’t drink this much Jameson in Ireland, is this like Foster’s, the faux Australian beer that they don’t actually drink in Australia?
People do drink Jameson’s in Ireland although the last time I was out there most of the people I hung out with were immigrants from the factory I was visiting so I couldn’t gauge how much they do today. But its an excellent blended whiskey – I have a glass or two weekly.
(and if you are dublin – skip the Jameson’s tour – Whiskey is no longer distilled there and its more of a history deal – although you do get a glass of free whiskey as part of the cost of the ticket)
I was just in Ireland a few months ago and went on that very tour or the Jameson Distillery. It was fun to hear about the history, and I’d seen whisk(e)y (and beer) made in many other distilleries, so I wasn’t missing much on that front. I am, however, now an officially certified Jameson Taster, because I volunteered to do the guided tasting at the end of the tour. I have a certificate and everything!
Jameson is decent, but I prefer single malt Scotch.
Another interesting Irish drinking tidbit, I’m told they drink far more budweiser than Guiness in Ireland.
I just started drinking it and it’s good. If you’re not a big whiskey fan, try mixing it in ginger ale (the Big Ginger at The Local).
The Big Ginger sounds kind of good even though I don’t really like ginger ale.
Vernor’s is the best if you can find it (with the specialty Rootbeer at Cub) and I’ve even mixed it in 7Up, which, while not as good, still pretty refreshing.
Jameson is good, I generally drink 12yr myself. I also like Tullamore Dew. It is more mild in taste.
My two favorite Irish Whiskey are Red Breast and Green Spot, which is only available at one place in Dublin. A friend brought some home for me a few years ago. I should have saved it, but I just couldn’t.
Speaking as an Irish whiskey drinker, Jameson is a fine, basic whiskey. It is the most popular Irish whiskey worldwide though in Ireland this award has traditionally gone to Powers. I think Jameson might have overtaken Powers in the last couple of years though.
Wikipedia’s definition is actually a good one. The only true legal distinction between Irish and Scotch, for example, is that Irish whiskey is made on the island of Ireland. I’ve written this up in more detail elsewhere.
Jameson and ginger ale is a great suggestion. You might try it on the rocks too.
Kinda like how bourbon is mostly just "bourbon" as opposed to "whiskey" because of where it was made?
Interesting.