Ireland, Leading the Way in Spirits, Dublin, Ireland (B)

While we weren’t looking, Ireland has jumped to the forefront of cuisine and a personal favorite delicacy: booze. Before our trip, I hadn’t much explored fine Irish whiskeys beyond Jameson Black Barrel. It’s smooth with a bite, and rather affordable compared with its Scottish neighbors considering its fine taste. Ireland’s famed dark stout and oldest beer, while a stronghold at every pub I’d stopped at in Dublin, do not demonstrate the crisp red and pale ales emerging from small breweries along the west coast. Moreover, gin served in large stemmed goblets over ice, with a variety of garnishes, proved to be a very a popular order.

Distilleries around Ireland are producing whiskeys and gins rivaling its neighbors to the east and their craft beer scene is aglow. Make the tour to these standout brewers and distillers to taste Ireland’s freshest ingredients poured into a single bottle, or at least ask your local bartender in Donegal. But never drink and drive, especially on the left. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).