Review #241: Paddy Irish Whiskey: Paddy’s Share

COUNTRY: Ireland

THE WHISKEY: Irish blended whiskey matured in sherry barrels

PROOF: 94

AGE: NAS

COST: ~$58 for 700mL bottle (I paid 6 € for a 35mL pour at a pub in Ireland)

I was at the Dapper Duck in Gurteen, Ireland where they had a great selection of discontinued bottles such as Jameson 12yr and Jameson Gold Reserve (I’ll have reviews of those later). After trying a few other whiskies, the bartender, Sarah, sought out some extra bottles from the back for me to try including this one. I’ve had Paddy before (or “Paddy’s” as it’s labeled in the states), but I had not heard of this Paddy’s Share release. For 6 € for a pour, sign me up! Seeing as I enjoyed this at the bar, my tasting notes are a bit more truncated than when I have more time to sift through the flavors, but let’s get to it!

Now I go into more behind this whiskey down below, but let me set the stage a little. Going into this pour, I was aware that Sazerac owns the Paddy brand, but also that they contract Midleton Distillery to make the distillate for Paddy Irish Whiskey. Therefore, since Paddy is a triple distilled blended Irish whiskey, I am expecting it to be fairly Jameson like. Let’s check it out!

Reviewed neat in a rocks glass.

NOSE: Very light and faint. Subtle sweetness. Touch of vanilla.

PALATE: Medium mouthfeel and very Jameson-like in flavor but a little spicier. Vanilla, cinnamon Red Hots, some earthy oak and nuts. Lightly charred orange peel and a more distinctive malted grain note than Jameson.

FINISH: Medium to long finish with notes of malted grain, light vanillin oak, and cinnamon.

RATING: 5.4/10

OVERALL: I found that this drank a lot spicier than Jameson, but otherwise very similar. While sipping it and reading the bottle, I noted that it was aged exclusively in Sherry casks, but I didn’t find a lot of those sherry notes. Based on all of that, it leads me to believe that even though this is made at Midleton, it is using a higher malt whiskey component than grain whiskey component compared to Jameson (thus the more dominant spice and malt notes) and perhaps it’s also using second or third fill Sherry casks which are resulting in less influence of the sherry profile. Overall, it’s not hateful, but nothing that would elevate it to a middle tier whiskey for me like is intended.

Behind the Bottle

In 1882, Cork Distilleries Company hired a salesman by the name of Patrick J. O’Flaherty. This salesman really made a name for himself in County Cork going from pub to pub and selling Cork Distillers Irish whiskey. He was such a personable guy and friendly to all, that soon people were simply asking for more of “Paddy’s whiskey.” Cork Distilleries realized they had something here, so in 1912, they changed the name of their whiskey to Paddy Irish Whiskey in his honor.

Over the next century, the brand would change hands a few times. In 2016, Paddy Irish Whiskey was the fourth largest selling Irish whiskey in the world, and in that year, Sazerac acquired the Paddy brand. After a few years of maintaining the same label, Sazerac launched the “Paddy’s Share” label in 2022. The intent of Paddy’s Share was to compete at the mid-tier whiskey market while the standard Paddy brand would continue at the budget tier. Paddy’s Share would come in at 47% abv compared to the standard label’s 40%, and it is also exclusively matured in sherry casks to give it a more robust flavor.

1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out

2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice

3 | Bad | Multiple flaws

4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but many things I’d rather have

5 | Good | Good, just fine

6 | Very Good | A cut above

7 | Great | Well above average

8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional

9 | Incredible | An all time favorite

10 | Perfect | Perfect

 

Check out all my reviews: Woodgrain & Whiskey.