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St. Patrick's Day is a great excuse to drink all day and not have to worry about anyone giving you a hard time for it. But that doesn't mean you have to knock back crappy green beers and plastic bottled liquor like you're back in the fraternity. It's the perfect time to try some different, more sophisticated flavors than what you're use to.
We at Mandatory have the opportunity to sample a variety of different spirits and this collection - Irish or not - contains some of our recent favorites. You've got a few days to prepare for St. Patrick's Day, you should consider trying some (or all) of the delicious suggestions in this guide.
Since Jameson Irish Whiskey is the second most popular export out of Ireland (next to Guinness) (Third is hangovers) we're pretty sure you're already familiar with this delicious dram. You've seen their awesome John Jameson series of commercials and have probably already tried this quite a few times, so here's one thing to keep in mind when you're thinking about Irish whiskey: If bourbon is on the sweeter side and scotch is on the smokier side, Irish whiskies (generally) fall somewhere in the middle. Their elevated versatility makes them easier to drink and are one of the few spirits that you can shoot with your friends or sip by a nice fire. Slainte!
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With spirit distilled and still maturing since 1868, The Dalmore has some of the oldest and most rare stocks of any malt distillery. Over 150 years of tirelessly searching for perfection has culminated in an unparalleled collection of rich, intense and truly brilliant single malt whiskies.
It's hard to choose a favorite out of the bunch since I enjoyed them all incredibly, but you really can't go wrong with The 18. The Double Gold Medal Winner (2011 S.F. World Spirits Competition) offers a provocative and intense taste experience with an enduring aftertaste of cinnamon and nutmeg that is meant to be enjoyed slowly.
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Affectionately known as "Shackleton's whisky", this spirit is a replica of the century old whisky found under Ernest Shackleton's hut on the Antarctic. We could describe how amazing the flavor is, but we wouldn't even come close to doing it the kind of justice that Richard Paterson, Master Blender did:
"Delicate aromas of crushed apple, pear and pineapple aroused my senses before enticing notes of vanilla, creamy caramel, oak and nutmeg completed this ecstasy of delight. This symphony of sensuality continued on the palate with whispers of bonfire smoke, salty sea spray slowly giving way to spicy rich toffee, moist fig cake and pecan pie. A complex finale of crème brulee, orange rind, fresh baked bread and marzipan truly rewarded the palate. It was a gift from heaven"
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This glorious whiskey/flask combo is not for the casual party drinker. Created by the world's most advanced structural technologies by the Advanced Product Design Team at Oakley, the armored, nearly indestructible body protects the investment that is the accompanying custom crafted, 22-year-old single malt All-American scotch whisky. A mere 550 limited edition flasks are available at $1,500.00, making this an iconic and bold collectible for any important man.
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Kilbeggan comes from the oldest distillery in the world. Over 250 years, the people in County Westmeath have mastered the process of blending the finest grain and malt whiskeys for a smooth, sweet taste and lovely malty finish.
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This is the manliest cream liqueur you'll find on the market, combining Irish whiskey and Irish dairy cream with a delicious in-house chocolate recipe. The special process Bailey's uses to mix the whiskey with the cream removes any need for artificial preservatives. Use it to make some Irish Car Bombs and you'll be feeling good and punchy in no time.
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The great thing about Bushmills is that they offer a wide range of expressions. The 10-year-old is much, much different than the 16-year-old (which is one of my personal favorites.) But you know what's the best idea? Trying them all.
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If you're not familiar with Highland Park scotch, you probably should be. And once you've acquainted yourself with their standard expressions, you'll most likely be down to spring for their new 15-year-old Loki expression inspired by a Norse god of the same name. This is more of a collector's whiskey (note the rather awesome wood carving stand it comes with), but what better time to start your scotch collection than right now. (Or right after your next drink.)
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Redbreast
If you like Irish whiskey, then you should make sure you try Redbreast. It's slightly lesser known than Jameson and Bushmills, but that's just because it keeps it real when it comes to advertising (i.e. they don't advertise.) In 2010, famed Irish Whiskey writer Jim Murray called Redbreast the Irish Whiskey of the Year. What else do you need to know?
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10 of 10Next: The Best Breweries in the U.S.
If a strong liquor isn't really your thing, that doesn't mean you can't join in on the St. Patrick's Day fun. Believe it or not, cider consumption in Ireland has roots that are centuries old. Angry Orchard Hard Cider is the #1 U.S. selling brand of hard cider with quite a few flavors to choose from (Traditional Dry, Crisp Apple, and Apple Ginger). Enjoy them as is or feel free to make them even more St. Patty's Day friendly by adding a little Irish whiskey to create a refreshing "Patrick's Apple Orchard" as seen in the image.