The importance of an 'e'.

Whiskey, as the Irish call it (as opposed to Scotch whisky, which is different in the method used to dry the germinated barley seed. There they burn peat...as opposed to the traditional Irish fuel of anthracite coal - though now methane is used - and they don't triple distil) has been made at (or more recently in Cork for) the Dublin based Jameson distillery since 1750. 

Demps was dead keen to buy a bottle of their finest so we decided to do the tour. Forty (the first number in the English language where the numbers are in alphabetical order) five minutes later and we exited the tour route very much the wiser. 14€ well spent, we got a drink and we had a laugh. 

At the end there was the chance to buy into the reasonably priced 22€ four whiskey taste experience. We shared -instead of having one each. As D said, 'I've seen the evidence of your drinking ability and I'm not ready to face the results now.' For those in the know I'll just mention 'three pubs at 2pm on a Sunday afternoon', but that's all I'm willing to say on the subject. 

The tour, as I mentioned, was great. 

Still time to look around.

Still made of copper.

Still maturing...from bottom left to right: 1yr/ 5yr/ 7yr/ top row L to R 12yr/ 18yr. Whiskey is never moved whilst maturing and evaporates so the amount reduces year on year. Barrels come from the States where they were used to make bourbon. After 25yrs in Ireland they will go to Costa Rica where they will mature rum!

Ex sherry barrels are also used to flavour whiskey, after which different flavoured whiskeys are blended. 

The taste test commences. 

Four on a row. Demps is thrilled.

When they gave us the whiskey they provided a card which detailed the flavour notes. Adjectives such as 'spicy, peppery, honeyed sweetness with vanilla tones' were used. 

We tasted. 

And quizzed each other, according to the card...

My adjectives of choice were: 

Whiskey 1: burny

Whiskey 2: less burny with toffee

Whiskey 3: burny

Whiskey 4: super burny

John Jameson would have been turning in his grave!

Burny

Not my description.

Went back up the hostel AHH A BED!!! Where we attempted to thrash each other at pool. The hostel is big but nice. We noted the lamp fitting. 

Whilst there we met some Canadians, played doubles at pool (I potted the black. Once and at the right time too). Had food then it was early to bed nd early to rise.

Room was too hot, am used to tarp.