Jamesons Bow Street

On my actual birthday it was a treat was a visit to Jamesons Whiskey Bow Street in Dublin. We didn't know much or really like whisky until we visited Scotland and although I have enjoyed a James whiskey I didn't really know much about it.

I didn't realise until our visit is that Jameson Whiskey is actually made at Midleton Distillery in Co. Cork. So what is Bow Street in Dublin?

Bow Street was the original distillery started in 1780 by John Jameson. It was a complete industry including all trades needed in the whiskey production; cooperage, saw mills, engineers, carpenters, smithy were all needed as well as brewers and distillers. 

The barrel men were key to keeping the industry working and in the late 1920s became the symbol of Jameson. Since then there has always been a barrelman embossed on the bottom of each bottle.

Bow Street is now an amazing space that celebrates, informs and shares the love of whiskey. The bar is a huge space with fantastic beams and stone floors, the bottle chandeliers were amazing.

Although not a working distillery Bow Street is a superb experience, very informative led by our knowledgeable guide. Starting with the choice of two cocktails or a neat dram we discovered about how Jameson started, the hard work, the struggles during the famine and how the company survived to become an icon of Irish Whiskey.

The darkened whiskey room was very stylish with displays set up for everyone to have a dedicated learning table. As our guide explained how whiskey is made each section lit up highlighting the ingredients or process. It was a very inclusive way of explaining quite a complex process.

Our final room was the tasting room where each place was set with three whiskey drams. Our guide explained how each whiskey was different and how that is achieved using varying barrels and conditions.

What a superb experience, even if it wasn't in a working distillery. With plenty of time before our dinner reservation we settled into comfy seats in the bar, why wouldn't you!

I really enjoy a Guinness and stout beers and Hubby likes IPA so we chose whiskeys made using those barrels.

Jameson Stout Edition is triple distilled and finished in stout beer barrels giving a nose of fields and apples followed by flavours of orchard fruits with a hint of nutty chocolate on the lovely long finish.

Jameson IPA Edition is also triple distilled and finished in beer barrels but this time using Irish Pale Ale barrels to give a happy finish to the whiskey. There's plenty of citrus, a hint of heroines and a slight woody finish.

We enjoyed both whiskeys but didn't buy either in the Jameson store, simply because they are cheaper here in the UK, maybe the Bow Street prices are good for the American visitors who might not be able to buy at home. We will be buying both these whiskeys once there is space in our drinks cabinet!

A great afternoon on my special day and what better way to finish our experience than an Irish Coffee. I'm a huge coffee fan and really enjoy a well made hot coffee cocktail. This one was pure indulgence made with whiskey, chocolate liqueur, house-made stout liqueur, coffee and smooth cream ... the best Irish Coffee ever.

Thank you Hubby and Jameson Bow Street for a super whiskey experience on my 60th birthday, one to remember ... Sláinte !