• Luggage Collection: 7:30 AM

• Wheels Up: 8:30 AM

Today we took a journey through Irish whiskey making, past and present, at the Jameson Experience in Mid let on, County Cork - complete with a tasting! It was a little early to start tasting (drinking), but it seemed to work okay in the context of a tour and tasting.  Jameson Irish Whiskey has a long and storied history, dating back to the 18th century. The brand was founded by John Jameson, who established a distillery in Dublin in 1780. Jameson was known for its high-quality whiskey, quickly gaining popularity in Ireland and abroad. The tour was spectacular.  Our guide showed us some of Jameson’s old manufacturing processes and how it has evolved into the new more efficient processes.  I was particularly impressed with their small batch distillery.  It allowed students and whiskey masters to try new formulas in a small batch setting without the need to disrupt the high-volume production-line.  Very ingenious, plus it encouraged experimentation and encouraged a new generation to become whiskey makers.  Not to mention that it was a very cool and shinny distiller. 

At lunch we stopped at a hotel for a traditional “Afternoon Tea”.  It included everything from the Tea to the three-tiered plates with little sandwiches and desert treats. It was relaxing and a good chance to visit with our fellow travelers.  Honestly I can’t really see what the big deal is with the “Afternoon Tea”.  This is and English/Irish tradition that I can miss.

Our next stop was the Jerpoint Abbey.  Founded in the 12th century, Jerpoint Abbey is one of the best examples of a medieval Cistercian Abbey in Ireland. The architectural styles within the church, constructed in the late twelfth century, reflect the transition from Romanesque to Gothic architecture. The tower and cloister date to the fifteenth century.  Jerpoint is renowned for its detailed stone sculptures found throughout the monastery. Dating from the thirteenth to the sixteenth centuries these include mensa tombs from the O’Tunney school, an exquisite, incised depiction of two 13th century knights, the decorated cloister arcades along with other effigies and memorials.

A short drive later we arrived at our last hotel of the tour Lyrath Estate Hotel & Spa. Upon departing from the bus, the hotel staff took our reservations for dinner for tonight.  We were on our own to eat whenever we wanted.  We chose to eat at Tupper’s Bar.  It was quiet and had an open garden appearance.  Since I was still in the mood to try as many different Irish Whiskey’s as I could I have a very enlightening conversation with the manager of Tupper’s Bar. She helped be chose a Red Breast Whiskey. I usually like just one ice cube in my Scotch or Irish Whiskey, she convinced me to try it with a little water on the side.  Her opinion was that the ice suppresses some of the flavor of the whiskey.  I honestly couldn’t tell the difference, and I tend to like the whiskey to be cooled just a little without diluting it too much.  We relaxed that evening with some good old Fish & Chips and a Hamburger. 

After dinner we took a walk through the hotel and found the old section of the hotel.  As with the Lough Este Castle Hotel and the Ashford Castle Hotel, there was the old section, which had been renovated and the new section that was more modern and up to five-star hotel standards.  The old section was a spectacular example of 108th & 19th century architecture and design.  As always, I was wowed and impressed with the woodwork.  We walked through the main entrance of the home and the dining room.  Turns out that the next day we would have farewell Reception Dinner in the dinning room.  Of course a perfect elegant touch for Tauck.

Jameson Experience