I'll Take My Irish Whiskey Neat

Half of the adults in our family love whiskey (and whisky).  The other half is learning.  During the last week of our “Lands” trip, we drove about the Emerald Isle and visited three whiskey distilleries.  Again, one of us was very excited, the other along for moral support and to be a designated driver if necessary.  Even though the process is generally the same for anyone producing the distilled spirit to be aged for becoming the dark liquor, all the stops’ tours had their own personality and flavors.  Not only great for varied experiences but also helpful in the learning process.

The Power House Bar At Roe & Co.

The first of three introduced us to Roe & Co. Named in memory of George Roe & Co., originally Ireland’s largest whiskey exporter, the contemporary version looks to continue the legacy while writing its own.  Taking over a power plant, the distillery uses the industrial setting to create an interesting experience for its visitors. All that stands of the original distillery is the windmill and a peach tree, which still flowers to this day! It is actually used in their logo as well. We opted for the “Flavors Experience” allowing us to sample the whiskey and create a cocktail from a selection of ingredients.  The “class” was a fun break from the standard whiskey tour, and our guide, Sean, was your typical snarky Irishman who kept us in check but entertained.  A big shout out to Aly, who won the cocktail contest, and a special prize for her efforts.  The true highlight was enjoying a couple of hours at The Power House bar after the tour.  We met a couple of friendly Americans, chit-chatted with the bartender, and put down several rounds of amazing cocktails.  The “Verde Grey” was a huge hit!  If you find yourself in Dublin for a couple days be sure to stop by Roe & Co.  Although Guinness is the top attraction for most, this young distillery gave us a top-notch experience without fighting overwhelming crowds.

Micil Whiskey Tasting

After the New Year celebrations, we headed across the island to Galway.  The coastal town was a much more tame option than the bustling Dublin, and one we found closer to our liking.  After a full day of wandering the area complete with seeing the beach, the historical shopping district, and the countryside, we needed a dram to unwind.  Not the easiest to find, Micil (pronounced mick-il) is a tiny distillery hidden deep inside at the back of a bar.  Can you say “speakeasy”?  Not much but a tasting bar on the balcony overlooking the distillery, Micil was about as basic as they come.  What they did offer was a friendly staff and a selection of whiskeys, gins, Poitin, and Irish cream to sample.  All very unique.  Yes, we tasted them all.  Don’t judge.  You know you would too.  The luck of the Irish was on our side.  Turned out we had just enough room in our luggage for a bottle of the Madeira Cask whiskey, orange spiced gin, and Irish cream. Not a bad start to 2025.

To complete a full week of packing in as much of Ireland as we could, Tullamore D.E.W. finalized our whiskey touring.  Also where Aly took off her training wheels and graduated to a whiskey liker!  By far the largest producer of whiskey we visited in our adventures this year, Tullamore D.E.W fabulously melded the old with the new for a remarkable tour experience.  Kicked off with the ideal Irish coffee (according to the inventor of the drink, Chef Joe Sheridan), we were led through a historical account of the distillery, a thorough education of the distillation process, a tour of the facilities, a sip of from a barrel, and finished with samplings of their 3 whiskey offerings.  Aly found the sip from the barrel her favorite sample (at 160 proof!) but decided the bottle she was looking for was their 12-year-old release.  Consider her graduation cap tossed into the air!  With temperatures dropping and a snowy mix falling from the sky, our whiskey tour of Ireland came to an end.  Our suitcases bulging with libations for the trip home, we’ll have plenty to enjoy and share with guests when we return.  Just hope we have enough now that there are TWO whiskey lovers in the house!