We started the day by leaving our hotel in central cork and heading towards Midleton for the Midleton Distillery tour (ie where Jameson is made).

Our tour guide was great, and I learned a lot. Here are the main facts from the tour…

-Difference between malt whisky and Irish whisky is that the former just uses grinded malted barley, while Irish uses malted and unmalted barley

-Difference between beer and whisky is that distilling brings the alcohol from 20% (beer) to 40%

-Shoveling the coal to the wash still was the 2nd hardest job (but required skill because they had to slowly increase the temperature)

-Pot still vs continuous distillation…

—Pot still distillation, the beer gets boiled at 78 degrees and rises as vapor. When it cools down the first time, it becomes x %. Doing this two more times brings it up to 84%. This known as triple distillation (how red breast and others are made). These are more full. Bodies whiskies.

—For continuous distillation, I think it doesn’t turn back to liquid, and uses steam somehow to bring the alcohol overage up. Whisky from this process is more light. 

—Mixing in continuous distillation and pot still distillation is how Jameson is made. This is also known as blended whisky

-By Irish law, you need to store it in a barrel for 3 years

-They also produce gin, using some herbal flowers

-For barrels, the use some from America (from the bourbon barrels… and by definition bourbons can only use barrels once, which is why they ship them to Ireland) (notes from American barrels are vanilla). They also use Spanish sherry barrels (fruits notes), and from Porto, 

-Barrels are kept in untouched temperatures. Slight warmer in summary, and colder in winter

-Before putting it to the barrel they need to add water to bring the alcohol from 84% to 64%

-Straight from the barrel is known as cask strength (and alcohol percentage is usually higher since they don’t dilute it????)

-Angel share is the term used when the whisky liquids reduces over time in the barrel (but it gets more flavor the longer it is in the barrel).

At the end of the tour, we had a tasting of regular Jameson, Greenspot, and Redbreast 12. Actually liked Greenspot the best. Liked the Redbreast the least since I thought it tasted like bourbon.

After the tour we did the premium whisky tasting as well. We had a Jameson black barrel, Powers, Redbreast 15, and Middleton 2024 Rare. Liked the Middleton the best, followed by the Redbreast 15, then the Jameson, then the Powers (this one was not fruity at all).

After the tour, I ended up bottling my own Jameson black barrel cask strength (can only get this barrel at this distillery).

Then we got food at this restaurant close by:

Ferrit & Lee

Before leaving Midleton we walked around the downtown area. A mix between Aberlour, but more businesses.

From there, headed towards Dublin. We did stop by Rock of Cashel (which looks like a Castle). According to Google AI “The Rock of Cashel, often mistakenly called Cashel Castle, is a historic site in County Tipperary, Ireland, with a rich history spanning centuries. It was the seat of the Kings of Munster before becoming a significant religious center. While not a traditional castle, it features a complex of medieval buildings, including a cathedral, Cormac’s Chapel, and a round tower.“  And it was said that St Patrick converted the King to Catholicism.

From there headed straight to Dublin. First dropped off the rental car at the the Avis downtown, then checked into our hotel at Radisson Blu Royal.

After, we checked out this Michelin recommended restaurant, called Spitalfields. Details here:

Spitalfields

Then checked out the nightlife in Dublin. Pubs and bars usually close at 1am. “Late night” places like nightclubs close at 2:30 or 3am.

We first visited The Stag’s Head on Dame St to see some comedy. Unfortunately Gunther a bit too late (around 11:30), but still was able to get drinks and listen to some Irish music downstairs. This area in general has lots of nightlife (bars/pubs/clubs).

We then went to Izakaya, where they were playing house-ish EDM music on the lower level, and more main stream at the main level. They are open late. They also are Japanese and serve Toki highballs.

After, checked out the Temple Bar area (yes it’s an area), but went into the actually bar where they had something similar to a piano bar, but with a guitar. Got a Macallan 12 there.

We then checked out an area close by (not sure if it’s name) where there are other dance clubs: Wigwam (this one was sold out), Yamamori (friend did not feel like checking it out, but would have wanted to check out the vibe), and The Grand Social (closes at 1am, and really seems like a pub).

For G areas, the Pawn Shop, and club next to it seem like good candidates (and they’re open at least till 3am). Pawn shop is known for their electronic music in general.

Last area we went to was Camden St. it was happening, but we might have been too late since it was already 2:15am. This is where we ended the night.