Loved by drinkers around the world, St Patrick's Day celebrations on March 17 are a wonderful excuse to unite friends and thirsty crowds with a parade of Irish spirits.
Along with the music, dancing and feasting, one of the lucky charms of the Emerald Isle is its ancient art of distilling. Whether it's wonderful whiskey, gin or vodka, there's an array of flavoured expressions to help you say slainte to St Paddy.
Teeling Small Batch Irish Whiskey
An award-winning whiskey selected by drinks expert, Ewan Lacey for the IWSC (International Wine & Spirit Competition), this small-batch blend is matured in rum casks for added spice. A gold medal winner that's cited as being juicy in the mouth with apple pie characters and tropical tones with a complex finish, it can be served straight up, or enjoyed with a drop of water to enhance the flavour profile.
The Dubliner Irish Whiskey
Smooth and fruity, this is an easy drinking style that complements the welcoming manner of the Irish. A blend of single malt and grain whiskies aged in bourbon casks, it's warm and mellow with a honeyed sweetness and a hint of caramel and spice on the long, fruity finish.
The Dublin Liberties Oak Devil Irish Whiskey
For revellers thirsty for something with a little more kick, the Oak Devil takes its name from the Liberties area of Dublin, a riotous quarter of the city known as "Hell" in the 1700s. A blend of malt and grain aged in bourbon casks, it's rich and biscuity with caramel flavours, fruitcake and a lingering, peppery finish.
The Exiles Irish Gin
The producers of Exiles Gin suggest serving its home-grown spirit in a Gin Julep (50ml The Exiles, 15ml sugar syrup, 10ml soda, mint sprigs, crushed ice), but this delightful gin tastes equally refreshing in a G&T. Local botanicals, including shamrocks, rowan berries and other flowering plants create the aromatic floral notes.
Untamed Irish Vodka
Vodka usually takes top billing on cocktail lists and this versatile spirit is made with Irish apples and pot distilled to add a natural sweetness. Ideal in a range of cocktails, it's smooth with a lightly sweet flavour and a clean finish. The bottle is flanked with the wings of wild geese to back its Irish heritage.
Tesco Finest Salted Caramel Irish Cream Liqueur
For a sweet ending, this Irish liqueur romped home with an IWSC Gold. Characterised by salted caramel and cream notes, with an explosion of honeycomb, it was rewarded for pitching the perfect balance between sweet and salty.
Feeney's Irish Cream Liqueur
Another winner, Feeney's has won several awards including a Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Made from Irish grain whiskey blended with rich dairy cream, it takes 24 hours from dairy to distillery and its luxurious and creamy consistency with warming whiskey notes tastes like it's been blessed by a saint.
Source: AAP
