Jameson Irish Whiskey Distillery, visited on August 18

No one could accuse this group of an aversion to whisky, especially with our resourceful traveling companion Anne along, see photo. She can be counted on to supply us with a bottle of Canadian Club rye whisky, several oranges, a small but efficient knife and a nose for places to purchase Canada Dry Ginger Ale, or in its absence, 7Up. She usually remembers to take a bottle opener, as well.  Rounding up the bathroom glasses, she treats us to a restorative Rye & Dry at the end of each day of sightseeing.   

Here in Ireland, of course, we expected to enjoy our planned visit to the Jameson Distillery in Midleton, outside Cork. All of us had been to the venerable Glenfiddich distillery in Scotland, and even though our three Scottish lasses harbor a natural preference for the spirit spelled without the ‘e’, we all were up for a good tour.  The18th century plant uses waterwheel-powered crankshafts and 31,000 gallon copper still – the largest of its kind in the world.  When we were all invited to sample a generous glass, Nancy surprised herself by developing a discriminating taste for the amber nectar!!!!!!!!

Grainee, our dedicated tour guide.

Waterwheel that still drives the crankshafts.

 Our spirited (couldn’t resist) guide Orla described the process in a rapid-fire delivery with an accent that was (happily) easy to understand, even when she gave an extra syllable to kiln, turning it into ‘kilin’ and lending a soft vowel to the product’s name, pronouncing it ‘Gemeson’.

Sheila volunteered to ring the large copper bell that used to alert the workers to events taking place in the distillation process, and surprised Orla by succeeding on the first try.

At the end of the tour, Jennifer elbowed the rest of us out of the way when volunteers were requested for the whiskey taste test.

Happy tasters.