Irish Whiskies at the LCBO

[Frodo]

I feel very lucky to have access to Irish whiskies at the price point offered at the LCBO. I suspect that the Canadian market is something Irish whisky companies are looking to cultivate. Consider the following...

- Redbreast 12 @ $45cdn. Seems to be more expensive elsewhere.
- Green Spot @ $95. Not available everywhere.
- Greenore 10 @ $70+. A special bottling for the LCBO - most other markets get either the 8yr or the 15. We get the 8yr as well.
- Bushmills Single Cask @ $120. Alas these are all gone, but they were offered at a great price. And they were very good.
- Bushmills 400th Anniversary @ $100. Supposed to go for $100 US down south. I think we got a price break here.
- Tryconnell Finishes @ $120. A few bottles coming through.

Interesting that we have a better Irish whisky selection than we have bourbon - and Irish whisky is the more expensive of the two so this decision was not taken lightly!

[Yello to Mello]

Good list Frodo. Thought this could have been the first LCBO thread in the supermarket deal forum.

I haven't explored the Irish stuff too much although the Jameson 12 was a stepping stone into the good whiskies. I have to have a bottle of Redbreast 12 at all times.

That Bushmills 400 aniv. is tempting me.

[Frodo]

Good list Frodo. Thought this could have been the first LCBO thread in the supermarket deal forum.

Will have to make one of those when some new stuff goes on sale.

[Frodo]

That Bushmills 400 aniv. is tempting me.

Am going to try to get a taste from a friend's bottle before I decide. The Tyrconnell Madiera finish I will jump on given Aiden & Adrian's feedback...

[Yello to Mello]

I guess Im too late for that greenore 10....could have got it for the uniqueness in the febuary tasting

[Frodo]

At somthing like $72 for the Greenore 10, I would much rather get one of the Tyrconnell finishes @ $90 currently on sale.

[Yello to Mello]

I almost forgot about that vintage sale. Which one do you recommend or which have you tried?

My first instinct would be the port but reviews seem relatively bad. The madeira finish seems to be praised and on the lcbo site, some other site gave the sherry a 97 so I dont know.

[Frodo]

I tried a small sample of the Madeira Finish and it was fruity and creamy. An easy whisky to like that evolved in the mouth and had a very long finish. Haven't tried any of the others, but this one got the nod in the last Whisky Bible for "Irish Whisky of the Year" if I'm not mistaken.

Another one that tempted me was the Balblair '89 @ $100 down from $140. I think it won the "best whisky" nod from the last Whisky Fringe Festival. A no-brainer for me would be the Yamazaki 12 @ $50 down from $70. But as I have over 40 unopened bottles, I think I'll just hunker down in my bunker. That and the fact that I've spent over $1,000 cdn on cigars in the last two months. Not boasting about it - just explaining why I'm tapped out!

[Yello to Mello]

Looks like the LCBO's March 14th vintage will feature 4 Irish whiskies:

CONNEMARA PEATED SINGLE MALT IRISH WHISKEY
CONNEMARA 12 YEARS OLD PEATED SINGLE MALT IRISH WHISKEY
INISHOWEN IRISH WHISKEY
THE TYRCONNELL SINGLE MALT IRISH WHISKEY

Have you tried any of those Frodo?

[Frodo]

All as a matter of fact.

The regular Conemmara was pretty good - smokey but different from the Islay smokey stuff. Fairly priced last time (@ $86). The 12yr Conemmara was pretty good as well, but the price jump from $120 to (now) $150 gives me pause. The Innishowen I found not as good as Jameson 12, Black Bush, or Redbreast 12 at comparable prices. It is a bit smokey but not close to being worth the coin in my view. The Tyrconnell was good value @ $52 - very fruity, and soft.

[Adrian]

Excellent prices all right ...virtually is cheaper for you except the Greenspot.

Hope you enjoy what ever you go for.

Tyrconnell Maderia is my personal fav of the Tyrconnell finishes.

Redbreast is well worth a try too it is 45Euro over here.

I am jealous of the Greenore 10yo and would love to get my hands on it. The price is not bad for what is a collectors item by virture that that bottle is the only 10yo to be bottled especially for the LCBO.

The Inishowen is an entry level blend over here so should not command a premium price but sometimes this gets mixed up in different markets and could be down to small supply.

ANyway enjoy