Goodbye Green Beer on St. Patrick's Day

By Charles Passy

Say goodbye to the green beer.

That’s our quick piece of advice to St. Patrick’s Day revelers. The fact remains that Ireland is a country with a serious sipping tradition, especially when it comes to quality whiskeys and brews. And each year sees plenty of new bottles to try. With that in mind, Speakeasy surveyed the Irish liquid landscape to find these five recent or noteworthy releases As they say in Ireland, “Slainte!” (That basically means”cheers” or  “good health,” and you can say it before you toss one back.)
Jameson 18 Year Old ($87): John Jameson founded his namesake Dublin distillery back in 1780 – and the company is still turning out wonderfully approachable whiskies to this day (unlike its Scottish counterpart, Irish whiskey is generally made without peat, so that smoky taste is noticeably absent). This 18-year blended version qualifies as a first-rate whiskey – Irish or otherwise – and is notable for its subtly beguiling sweetness. (The brand’s tasting notes boast of “fudge/toffee, spice, gentle sherry” flavors.) Don’t waste this one on Irish coffee – it’s far better to enjoy solo.
Bushmills Malt 21 Year Old ($90): Bushmills is Ireland’s other big whiskey brand — it takes its name from the Bushmills region – and it’s been pushing its higher-end expressions of late. The 21 Year Old is a single malt – less common in Irish whiskies – and a distinctive one at that (the new packaging alone, replete with a sturdy case, tells you this isn’t your everyday spirit). The overall impression is of fruit – “dried fruit,” the brand asserts (think raisins) – with an assertive finish.
Michael Collins 10-Year-Old Single Malt ($40): Michael Collins proudly points to the fact it’s the last independent, Irish-owned whiskey maker in Ireland (and for those lacking in a knowledge of Irish history, Michael Collins was a famed Irish political leader, killed in 1922 during the Irish Civil War). The 10-year is another single malt – more affordable, but nicely complex all the same, with a surprising hint of smoke.
Guinness Foreign Extra Stout ($9.49 for a four-pack): Sure, we all enjoy a well-poured pint of Guinness at our local pub — call it the Irish “bread of life.” But the venerable Irish brewery crafts several varieties of beer and this one has just been re-introduced to this country (for the first time since Prohibition!). It’s a hoppier version of the traditional Guinness draught and a bit more alcoholic, too – certainly worth a try.
Magners Pear Cider ($7.99 for a four pack): Looking for a sweet sip on St. Patrick’s? Then consider this truly delicious and newly released cider – like a pear soda with a mildly alcoholic kick. The Irish enjoy it over ice – just as they do with the 75-year-old brand’s traditional apple cider. But we prefer chilling it in the fridge and not diluting that fruity essence. Either way, enjoy.