7 Days in Dublin

The Jameson Distillery 

Robert Joyce

Whiskey is believed to have originated around the year 600 AD where Irish Monks brought the alembic and the secret of distillation to Ireland from the Middle East - Uisce Beatha – (phonetically ish-ke-ba’ha) - which was known as "the water of life". 

In the 1700's, Irish people took their whiskey distilling expertise wherever they could emigrate, principally the USA and Canada.

in 1780 John Jameson & Son’s Bow Street Distillery was founded in Dublin on the north side of the Liffey. The Jameson coat of arms with the motto, "Sine Metu" refers to John Jameson's ancestors who had been granted the coat of arms in recognition of their pursuit and capture of pirates off the Scottish coast in the 1600s.

The Old Jameson Distillery is closed until March 2017 for re-development and will return just in time for Saint Patrick’s Day ! However we managed to visit the sister Jameson Distrillery in Midleton, Co, Cork. Join Robert through the Distillery.

The tour around the interior and exterior of the distillery takes around 75 minutes with a guide. You will be placed in a theatre where you will be shown a 10 minute interview on the history of John Jameson. Prices range from €14.40 which includes a Film, Guided Distillery Tour, and Special Visits to the Micro Distillery, Cooperage and Distiller’s Cottage. Along the way, and a whiskey tasting tray. 

You Ticket into the history of John Jameson.

The Victorian, cast-iron waterwheel, installed in 1825 to power the mill machinery which still drives the cogs and wheels.

 

The Still Room with it three shiny copper pot stills, one of which is still the largest in the world, with a 31,000 gallons capacity.

Jameson throughout the aging process. The first barrel on the left is Jameson after 1 year, then 3 years (the required amount of time before it can be bottled and sold), 12 years and 18 years. The colour darkens due to the length of time spent in the oak barrels and the liquid level drops off due to evaporation. The portion of liquid lost is known as the “angel’s share.”

The tour finishes with a whiskey tasting tray, consisting of three distinct whiskeys including Jameson itself, a scotch whiskey and an american bourbon whiskey. Try yourself to spot the smoothness of the triple distilled Jameson compared to its counterpart whiskeys from around the world. 

a Fresh Jameson Graduate !

A refreshing alternative, Jameson Ginger Ale & Lime, the quintessential drink combination. 

The Midleton Distillery now produces much of the Irish whiskey sold in Ireland under the Jameson, Midleton, Powers, Redbreast, Spot and Paddy labels. seeing that Jameson is now the largest selling Irish whiskey in the world. Jameson is the world’s fastest growing spirit brand, selling 4 million cases worldwide. Jameson is also given the Hot Brand status by the US magazine Impact, a distinction held to date.

Feel Free to pick up some souvenirs on the way out.