I like Bushmills better than Jameson when it comes to Irish Whiskey. This scandalous notion was somewhat validated for me a few months ago when my friend who is as Irish as a shamrock agreed with me. Having seen something called Old Tom Horan being Bottle King in Middletown’s featured whiskey for a long time last year, I decided to give it a try. The label notes sweetness and hints of toffee. Had you done a blind tasting, I am willing to bet you would declare what you just sipped to be one of the “Big Two” of the Irish whiskeys. But upon further review and another taste, you will find that Old Tom Horan is actually slightly sweeter and smoother. It is shockingly good. Coming in at $19.97, it might be $10 less than Bushmills depending on where you shop. With each sip I liked it more and more.

Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy Jameson as much as the next guy, and mixing it with ginger ale forms something akin to a marriage. But when it comes to drinking straight or on the rocks, it has always been Bushmills for me, and now Old Tom Horan giving a run for the money. I strongly advise you to find a bottle of this. I don’t recall seeing it in many places other than the Bottle King chain, so it might be one of those products released to only select carriers. It is a fantastic drink with a smooth finish and pleasant aftertaste. Try it on St. Patrick’s Day.