As a big lover of the amber nectar, going on Ireland whisky tour in the home of whiskey was right at the top of my wish list for our visit to Cork.
So when the Jameson Distillery Midleton invited us along to a Jameson Experience tour and a premium whiskey tasting, there was only ever going to be one answer.
A very enthusiastic yes please!
And yes, you read that correctly above, I said the home of whiskey.
Believe it or not, whiskey was actually invented in Ireland, not Scotland as many people wrongly believe. Just one of the things we learnt on this awesome Ireland whiskey tour.
Although even more confusingly, John Jameson who founded the Jameson brand in 1780 was originally from Scotland.
Jameson Experience Midleton Cork
Anyway, whether you’re a whisky lover or not, The Jameson Experience Midleton should be on your to do list when you visit County Cork.
It transports you back in time to when the distillery was first started and charts its course up to the modern day. Painting a picture along the way of what it was like to live and work in Ireland throughout that time.
The site itself is a beautiful series of old buildings that allow you to feel the history. We learnt about the production techniques they developed here.
Along with the processes that go into making the smooth and exquisite whiskey millions of people all over the world enjoy today.
The tour guide we had, Sarah, was really enthusiastic and knowledgeable about all things Jameson and made it a really enjoyable outing for the group.
Here I’m going to give you the lowdown on what the Jameson tour involves, a bit of what we learnt and why you should visit the Jameson Distillery Midleton.
P.s. You may also be wondering why I’ve spelt the name of the spirit in question two different ways – there’s a very simple explanation for that.
The Scots (and pretty much everyone else in the world) call it whisky, while the Irish and Americans call it whiskey with an ‘e’. Why? Don’t ask me, that’s just how it is!
Jameson Experience Tour Info
- The Jameson Experience guided tour lasts 60 minutes.
- It includes a short film and tour of the Midleton distillery buildings.
- Plus a complimentary glass of Jamesons or whiskey cocktail.
- Accompanied children are allowed on the Jameson Experience tour.
A Brief History of the Jameson Brand
Jameson whiskey’s history is both varied and fascinating, and the Jameson tour Cork charts its many ups and downs.
These include growing steadily through exports before being badly affected by war, prohibition and the temperance movement, right up to being the world’s leading Irish whiskey today.
John Jameson took over the management of the original distillery in Bow Street, Dublin in 1780.
Production quickly increased as Jameson built an international reputation for making a smooth whiskey from the finest quality ingredients.
The move to Midleton was a logical one that saw the Jameson distillery move closer to the barley farms they bought from and allowed for increased production.
Then in the 1970s, a state of the art facility was built next to the old Midleton distillery and all production was moved there.
The Midleton whiskey tour doesn’t include the modern facility but it’s clearly visible in the background as you walk around the grounds. An interesting contrast to the old Irish whisky distillery next door.
Jameson Distillery Tour Cork
The Craft Distillery Room
The craft distillery room is a newly developed addition to the complex. It’s a bit like a science lab where the Midleton whiskey distillery boffins try out exciting new recipes.
They also test out varieties of old recipes that were hand written by John Jameson himself all those years ago. To produce small batches that will no doubt become collectors items of the future.
It’s an exact replica of a traditional Irish whisky distillery, just in miniature.
The Still House
This is where the magic used to happen and the distillation process itself would take place.
Inside the still house, three of the original pot stills from the 1800s remain. They’re basically huge copper vessels that capture the alcoholic vapour produced when you heat up the fermented liquid you’re going to purify.
One of them is actually the largest still in the whole world, capable of holding over 140,000 litres! That would keep me going for a while.
The Giant Water Wheel
The giant water wheel sits on the outside wall of one the Midleton distillery buildings and was at one stage used to produce most of the power required.
Amazingly it’s still turning! And although it’s no longer a power source, gives you an idea of just how advanced the brewery was for its time.
The Cooperage
One of the really interesting things about the whiskey making process is just how much attention to detail that go into making a great one.
Once the liquid has been distilled, it must then be aged in barrels. The type of barrel used has a definitive impact on what the end product tastes like.
Using barrels that have been used to age other spirits imparts certain characteristics into the whiskey. For example the sweetness from a sherry barrel.
Jameson don’t actually produce any of the barrels they use, but they buy them in from various different sources. Rather than construct the barrels, the cooper ensures they are fit for purpose and repairs them when necessary.
The barrels get retired after 20 years, at which stage they go on sale to anyone who wishes to own one. A single barrel will set you back a cool £75,000.
And remember, they’re empty…
The Head Distiller’s Cottage
Though we didn’t go inside, it was fascinating to learn about the long line of head distillers who were given the use of this cottage for the duration of their employment.
From the front it looks like a small bungalow, but when you see it from side on you realise it is in fact huge and goes back much further than you’d imagine.
The Jameson Bar
At the end of the Jameson whiskey tour your ticket entitles you to a free sample of Jameson’s! Yes free!
You get the option of having it straight up, on the rocks or in a cocktail mixed with ginger beer and a squeeze of lime.
It’s a generous serving of whiskey as well and almost the perfect way to finish off the tour.
Jameson Premium Whiskey Tasting
Now this is officially the perfect way to finish off the Jameson tour Cork, particularly if you’re a whisky lover like me.
This premium whiskey tasting allows you to sample four of the many varieties that Jameson produce, while a connoisseur talks you through each one.
Whiskey Tasting Experience Info
- The whiskey tasting experience lasts 20 minutes.
- During which you’ll taste and compare four of the Midleton Distilleries’ premium whiskeys
- With a with a whiskey expert to talk you through the tastings.
- The Whiskey Tasting Experience is for over 18’s only.
The Jameson Shop
The Jameson shop has everything from rare whiskeys to Jameson branded clothing. It’s the perfect place to round off your Jameson Experience Midleton and pick up some souvenirs or gifts for whiskey lovers.
You can also hand bottle your own cask strength bottle of Jameson whiskey straight from the barrel. And then produce a unique label to stick on it with your name on which is really cool.
I’ve been a big fan of whisky for over 10 years now and over that period built up quite a nice collection of aged single malt scotch whiskies.
But I must confess, I’d never taken a great deal of notice of Irish whiskey, apart from the odd drop of Jameson from time to time.
There is a bit of a misconception that scotch is in some way superior to Irish whiskey, but actually that’s really not true.
Yes, there are definitely differences in the characteristics of the spirits produced in each country, but Ireland produces some of the finest whiskeys in the world.
Yet to be convinced? Book onto the Jameson Experience Midleton and see for yourself!
How To Get To The Midleton Distillery
If you haven’t hired a car in Ireland, or even if you have but aren’t taking to the Midleton distillery tour, because…you know alcohol, there’s a few different ways to get to the Jameson distillery Cork.
By Train
There are a regular trains throughout the day departing from Cork’s Kent Station to Midleton.
By Public Bus
There are numerous local bus services running everyday. The nearest bus stop to the Jameson factory Midleton is at the end of Distillery Walk.
By Cork Hopper
If you’re after doing more in Cork than just the Midleton distillery tour grab yourself a pass for the Cork Hop-on-Hop-off Sightseeing Bus.
The tour starts at 9:30am and you’ll first visit Blarney Castle and Cobh with lots of free time included before heading over to the Jameson Distillery in the afternoon, then back to Cork city centre.
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Travel lover, professional writer and football (soccer) obsessive, James loves nothing more than getting outside and exploring little known corners of the globe. He’s also very partial to a drop of Guinness.
