Ireland sold more whiskey than any other nation in the 19th century. From 80 distilleries, the Irish were selling more than half of the whiskey around the world. Famous brands such as Jameson were producing whiskey in Dublin. It was during this time that the Irish started spelling "whisky" with an e before the y to differentiate from Scottish whisky, as they claimed Scottish whisky was second-rate.
If this sounds like an intriguing story, when you are visiting Dublin, stop by the Jameson Distillery Bow Street to learn more. Whether you are a whiskey expert or a novice, a tour can be enjoyed by anyone interested in Irish culture, as whiskey plays a prominent role in Irish heritage.
The origins of a classic
The original Jameson Distillery was established in Dublin on Bow Street in 1780, making the Jameson brand a producer of whiskey for over 200 years. Today, it is the fastest growing brand of Irish whiskey in the world, selling 7.3 million cases in 2018 alone. Its popularity may be partly due to its mild flavor resulting from kiln-dried barley, but you'll find out more about the incredible craft of whiskey-making when you take the tour at this historical landmark, Jameson Distillery Bow St.
The tour
The distillery only offers guided tours. The tours last about 40 minutes and occur every 1.5 hours, seven days a week. The guides are informed and engaging, making the tour a wonderful interactive experience. Expect a short audiovisual presentation, stories about the people who have worked devotedly in the distillery, the famous Irish craic, and everything you need to know about the process of making whiskey, from germination and fermentation to distillation and maturation.
You'll do a comparative whiskey tasting to learn the differences between Scotch, American, and Irish whiskey. Enjoy a complimentary drink in the bar where the tour ends. The bar has a warm and friendly atmosphere where you can sit down and relax after the tour. Take your time to sample a beverage that you now know so much more about.
Keep in mind
Arrive 15 minutes before the tour starts. Late arrivals risk the chance of missing the entire tour, as visitors can't join in the middle. Book your visit online via the distillery's website.
Fun facts
Each one of the copper stills at the distillery can hold up to 24,000 gallons of whiskey. Irish whiskey is so important to the nation that in 1980, the Irish Whiskey Act was established. The act defines the specific requirements, ingredients, and processes that the Irish whiskey must follow in order to even be called Irish whiskey.
