Irish

Two bottles that I always have in my cabinet, and replace when necessary are the Bushmills Malt 10 and Red Breast 12 year, made by the Jameson distillery.  The Red Breast was my introduction to better than run-of-the-mill whiskey and so it holds a special place in my heart, but the Bushmills has quite a bit to offer, and I frequently enjoy contrasting the two.

Sunday night, I met up with one of the other bros, and we wandered down to the Cheiftan for a drop of good cheer.

The evening began with the Red Breast 12 year, which I argue gets improved with just the tiniest hint of ice.   The red breast has a tiny hint of astringent in it's opening nose,  and the hint of chill eliminates that completely.   Adding the bits of water from the ice also opens up the flavour quite a bit, allowing that oatmeal note to really shine.    Still a fine, fine whiskey.

The Box has a new king waiting coronation. I just purchased a bottle of Jameson's Middleton Very Rare, a superb spirit I had the pleasure of tasting at this year's Whiskeyfest. Once I get his majesty down to HQ and his rightful throne, tasting notes will be prolific.

I've often wondered how a Starbuck's Frappuccino would serve as the base for an Irish Coffee. Tonight, motive means and opportunity collided at a birthday party for my mother-in-law.

As it happened, my wife and I stopped on our way to Vallejo to grab a snack and some cake decorations. I also grabbed a couple of Frappuccinos for my wife and myself. I had the vanilla and she the mocha. I had also brought along a liter bottle of Bushmills Original that had a couple of tastes off the top fully intending to get it in some coffee and cream. When we got there I found the microwave and nuked up the remainder of my drink and added half again that much whiskey.
It worked! I was pleasantly surprised by the flavor, better than I had thought. I'm not sure if it was the vanilla that made the difference as I've always been partial to a touch of vanilla in my Irish Coffee but this was really good. It got passed around for a couple of quick tastes and the concensus was there also.

Ha-ha! I have it! It's mine! I now have a bottle of Red Breast 12 year in my cabinet. I am filled to joy. At least until it goes away.