One fine Irishman deserves another.

One fine Irishman deserves another.

To conclude the month of March, I thought I might work another Irish review into the mix. Today, I am reviewing The Irishman Founder’s Reserve a small batch Irish whiskey blend. The Irishman is a whiskey company that does not distill any of their own stock, but does bottle some lovely whiskies. The Founder’s Reserve label is comprised of 70% single malt whiskey and 30% single pot still whiskey (which I have heard rumored to be sourced from Cooley). The Founder’s Reserve is triple distilled and aged exclusively in ex-bourbon casks. It comes in at 80 proof (40% abv).

The nose is a classic Irish nose, with pears, apples, big floral notes, honey, malt, and potpourri. The palate is light and sweet, with a good dose of honey, vanilla, malt, orchard fruits, and a little floral twinge. The finish is slightly drying (of oak), sweet (butter cream), and medium in length.

Overall, I am rather fond of this whiskey. It is pleasant all the way through, and very approachable. However, there is enough complexity to keep it interesting and avoid the dread moniker of “smooth.” Whiskey and Rob Thomas songs only rarely mix, you know. The fruit characteristics work well with sweet and dry flavors from the bourbon cask to form a fine Irish dram. My grade: B-. Price: $30-35/750ml. The Irishman Founder’s Reserve is soundly better than any other Irish blended whiskey I have had in its same price range.