Irish Whiskey Tasting in Killarney

The days and weeks leading up to St. Patrick’s Day always bring back memories of my trip to Ireland. Two of the most memorable experiences on my trip was the Irish Whiskey tastings I had in Dublin and Killarney. While I like Scotch, and Scotch or bourbon-based cocktails, I was unfamiliar with Irish Whiskey until I traveled to Ireland. And now, I am a big fan and have a small collection of Irish whiskeys on hand at home – always ready to mix a drink or pour a dram to savor on its own.

I first learned about Irish Whiskey at a tasting in Dublin at the Jasmine Bar at the Brooks Hotel. Brendan Vacations arranged the tasting for for me and my friend Lisa Niver of We Said Go Travel. You can read what I wrote about that experience here, and what Lisa had to say here.

I so enjoyed the tasting in Dublin that when I traveled to Killarney later in my trip, Brendan Vacations arranged for me to have a another tasting at my hotel, The Malton. This tasting put me over the top, and I fell head over heels for Irish Whiskey and whiskey in general. Now when I travel, either locally to a bar for a cocktail, or overseas for a vacation, I want to peruse the whisky/whiskey menu, see what is on offer, and sample something new.

Similar to my experience in Dublin, the tasting was at the hotel bar. I was introduced to Jerry, who asked which tasting I would like. There were several options on their bar menu, and as whiskey was still new to me, I asked him for his advice. Eventually, he poured these three whiskies to try: Greenore Single Grain, Bushmills 16 Year Old Single Malt, and Knappogue Castle Sherry Finish 16 Year Old Single Malt.

Tasting Irish Whiskey at the Malton Hotel in Killarney, Ireland. Greenore, Bushmills and Knappogue

Tasting Irish Whiskey at the Malton Hotel in Killarney, Ireland. Greenore, Bushmills and Knappogue.

As Jerry and I talked during the tasting (the bar was not very busy), he explained how the aging in different barrels changes the taste of the whiskey. And to prove his point, showed me these bottles from Tyrconnell.

Tyrconnell Irish Whiskey tasting at the Malton Hotel in Killarney, Ireland.

Tyrconnell Irish Whiskey – each aged in different casks, producing different tastes.

The same whiskey is aged in casks that previously aged madeira, port, or sherry. The whiskey on the left was aged fourteen years in a single cask. Jerry shared micro-pours of these so I could compare how aging in the different casks produced different tastes in each one. I also learned that Tyrconnell is the name of a horse, and the distillery was founded in 1762 (as noted on the bottle).

Another whiskey Jerry introduced to me was Red Breast. Known as the “priest’s whiskey,” it is so called because it is more expensive, so only priests could afford it (I believe this was decades if not a century in the past when the people of Ireland were so poor that life as a priest provided a stable income – or at least enough to purchase Red Breast).

RedBreast Irish Whiskey - aged 12, 15 and 21 years - tasting at the Malton Hotel, Killarney, Ireland

RedBreast Irish Whiskey – aged 12, 15 and 21 years

Here the difference was not the type of casks that aged the whiskey, but the length of time that the whiskey was aged. I really enjoyed the Red Breast whiskey – it is very smooth (and I might have purchased some at the Duty Free in the Dublin airport on my way home).

I asked Jerry about the difference between bourbon, Scotch whisky, and Irish whiskey, and he challenged me to a blind taste test – to see if I could tell the difference. I surprised myself by correctly identifying each one – there are distinct taste notes to each. And while my preference now is for Irish Whiskey, I still appreciate bourbon and Scotch whisky – I think it is safe to say they are all in the same spirit family!

Tasting the difference between Bourbon, Scotch Whisky and Irish Whiskey, the Malton Hotel, Killarney, Ireland

Tasting the difference between Bourbon, Scotch Whisky and Irish Whiskey

After I finished the tastings and micro-tastings of the whiskeys, Jerry prepared this cocktail for me – the Lembuca. He created it and said it won an award at a cocktail competition. It features my other favorite spirit – gin!

The award-winning Lembuca coctkail with gin by Jerry at the Malton Hotel, Killarney, Ireland

Bartender Jerry’s award-winning cocktail, the “Lembuca”

Punchbowl Bar cocktail menu at the Malton Hotel, Killarney, Ireland - Lembuca cocktail with Bombay Saphire Gin

The cocktail list featuring Jerry’s cocktail, the Lembuca

I thoroughly enjoyed this Irish whiskey tasting and all that I learned from Jerry. If you can see the display cases behind us, I barely scratched the surface – there are so many different whiskeys to sample. The bar also included an excellent selection of Scotch whisky’s, so there is something there to suit everyone’s taste. And, if you are not sure of what to order, or what you like, ask the bartender. Jerry was a wealth of knowledge, and he was more than happy to answer my questions.

I highly recommend an Irish whiskey tasting on your trip to Ireland. Even if there is not a “formal” menu for this, you can easily create your own tasting by ordering a few drams at a bar and comparing them as you sample each. You might be surprised by what you like!

Irish whiskey tasting at the Malton Hotel, Killarney, Ireland

Posing with Jerry behind the bar – look at all those bottles of whisky and whiskey!

My whiskey tasting was arranged and paid for courtesy of Brendan Vacations, but the opinions about the tasting and the whiskey are entirely my own.

Have you tasted Irish whiskey? Do you have a favorite or a whiskey you would recommend I sample? Please share your thoughts in the comments below!

https://kierareilly.com/2017/03/16/irish-whiskey-tasting-in-killarney/

Dreaming of Poached Eggs and Bacon at The Malton Hotel

On Saturdays, following a tradition from my childhood, I have eggs for breakfast. This morning, when I awoke I had a hunger pang for poached eggs. But not just any poached eggs, the poached eggs and bacon from The Malton Hotel in Killarney, Ireland.

I stayed at The Malton when I visited Killarney in March of this year, and celebrated St. Patrick’s Day by participating in the parade.

The Malton is a short walk from the Killarney train station and about a five to ten minute walk from the central part of Killarney. It is a perfect place to stay while exploring the area.

Malton front dark

Entrance to The Malton Hotel in Killarney, Ireland.

Entrance to The Malton Hotel in Killarney, Ireland.

The dining room of the Malton is beautiful with high ceilings and big windows that look out on the gardens behind the hotel. White linens cover the tables and proper silver is at each place setting. I was fortunate to be seated right by a window and could look out and enjoy the sunshine on a lovely clear day.

The dining room at The Malton.

The dining room at The Malton.

There is an ample breakfast buffet, but all I remember is the wonderfully amazing poached eggs atop English muffins with perfectly crisp bacon.

Poached eggs, English muffins, crisp bacon, grapefruit juice and a sunny view.

Poached eggs, English muffins, crisp bacon, grapefruit juice and a sunny view.

It was just perfection. I do not think I have ever had bacon cooked like the bacon here. Crisp and crunchy without being overdone. And. The. Eggs. They had a beautiful orange-yellow yolk, like nothing we have in the United States. Ahhh.

The poached eggs were so wonderful I ordered them two days in a row!

The Malton Hotel Killarney Ireland breakfast of poached eggs and bacon

Another day, another order of poached eggs and bacon

Sadly, I only have eggs in my kitchen – no English muffins or bacon on hand – so I could not attempt to recreate the delicious breakfast from The Malton today. It is probably for the best as I am still feeling under the weather due to my persistent cough (and am planning to visit the doctor this afternoon), but I have a smile on my face thinking about the wonderful breakfasts that started my day while visiting Killarney!

Breakfast at the Malton Hotel, Killarney Ireland with poached eggs and bacon

Another view of the beautiful eggs and bacon.

I was a guest of Brendan Vacations, but my opinion and review of The Malton Hotel are my own.

Pinterest The Malton Hotel Killarney Ireland dreaming of poached eggs and bacon

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Last minute trip to Ireland for St. Patrick’s Day

A few weeks ago, I attended the Los Angeles Travel & Adventure sure with my friend Lisa Niver (Lisa N.) from We Said Go Travel. At the recommendation of another travel blogger, we stopped by the Trafalgar and Brendan Vacations booth. While talking with Trafalgar’s Lisa Tran McKee (Lisa TM), Lisa N. mentioned that she will be visiting Dublin for St. Patrick’s Day. I mentioned wistfully that I had yet to visit Ireland and hoped to go some day. Lisa TM told us about Brendan’s’ recent promotion for a trip to Ireland – visiting Dublin and Killarney – and the opportunity to participate in the St. Patrick’s Day parade in Killarney. How fun! It was a great price, but the promotion had ended. Lisa TM said that she might be able to work something out if I was interested, and suggested I contact her for more information.

After reviewing the promotion, I was definitely interested. It was last minute, but I had frequent flier miles I could cash in for my flight, and I had the free time, so why not?

Lisa and I kept in touch via email, with Lisa working with the Dublin office of Brendan to see if they could accommodate me. Finally this week, I received confirmation that Brendan could make it work. Lisa held a reservation while I made sure I could book my flights, and once I did, the trip was on!

I had already visited my local library and was lucky enough to find Rick Steves’ Ireland 2015 book available, so I checked that out and some other guides for some last-minute research.

My flight leaves tomorrow, and I’m trying to pack and get coordinated so that when I leave for the airport, I will be ready for adventure!

Some of my must-have carry-on items. I like the mesh bags for my cables - makes it easy to organize and spot them when needed.

Some of my must-have carry-on items. I like the mesh bags for my cables – makes it easy to organize and spot them when needed.

I’d love to hear about any suggestions of things to do and see in Dublin and Killarney. My sisters and parents provided some tips from their trip, and Suzanne, aka @PhilaTravelGirl, sent me a link to her blog posts from visiting Dublin. I’m sure there is more to see than I’ll be able to in my short time there.

Follow my journey here and on Twitter and Instagram. #KRinIreland.