Glendalough vs Jameson: Which Wins?

Discover the differences between Glendalough vs Jameson in this in-depth comparison and decide which Irish Whiskey is better for You!

Glendalough Double Barrel

Nose	Vanilla, malt, fudge
Palate	Apple, caramel, ripe fruit
Finish	Caramel, oak spice
Alcohol content	84 proof (42% ABV)
How to drink	Rocks
Similar to	Redbreast 12

The nose is sweet, as it provides a rich vanilla hint, followed by malt and a fudge note.

On the palate, Glendalough has a decent body that making it feel better than the average Irish Whiskey. Flavor is smooth and sweet, with caramelized apple hitting first, giving way to a ripe fruit hint.

The finish has a medium length, with just a bit of warmth, but nothing terrible. The oak spice lingers along a caramel note.

Adding water tunes the oak spice making it easier to drink and more enjoyable.

Glendalough is a smooth and sweet easy drinking whiskey, not the most complex but provides good value for the money making a good sipper that can serve as an “everyday whiskey”.

There are a few facts worth knowing about Glendalough:

• Aged for three and a half years in American oak first-fill Bourbon barrels before being finished for six months in Spanish Oloroso sherry casks.

• Made from a mash bill of malted barley and corn distilled in Coffey stills, which is the same as column still.

• Glendalough Distillery was founded by Barry Gallagher & Brian Fagan in 2011.

• In 2019 it was acquired by Vancouver-based Mark Anthony Group of Companies.

Jameson

Nose	Floral, marmalade, caramel
Palate	Ripe fruit, vanilla
Finish	Medium, caramel, spice
Alcohol content	80 proof (40% ABV)
How to drink	Cocktails
Similar to	J&B, Glenlivet, Bushmills

Jameson Whiskey sells over 4 million cases per year making the best-selling Irish whiskey across the globe for two reasons: It is smooth and affordable offering good value for the money; solid option for casual drinking or something not too pricey and still decent.

Nose is floral with sweet notes of orange marmalade and caramel with a bit of alcohol coming behind but nothing too severe.

On the palate the Jameson shows a good body, is sweet and fruity, with a high vanilla note. There is a pesky metallic note coming late to the party, not something terrible but weird.

The finish has a medium length, mostly sweet with a dash of black pepper on the tail.

It is a smooth and versatile whiskey that mixes nicely in any cocktail with no bad bite, well rounded and gets better when adding a splash of water, ginger ale or ice.

In fact, Jameson might well be the best whiskey for mixing in cocktails as it blends incredibly well with everything.

A few drops of water are enough to tune down alcoholic, peppery notes and that annoying metallic note.

There are a few facts worth knowing about Jameson Whiskey:

• Jameson is a blend of malted and unmalted barley aged for at least 4 years in ex-bourbon casks from Kentucky and ex-sherry casks from Spain.

• This whiskey is triple-distilled which is the norm in the Irish whiskey industry. Most spirits are double-distilled but the Irish add a distillation as they like smooth liquors.

• Jameson is owned by Paris-based Pernod-Ricard.

Glendalough vs Jameson: Price comparison

Prices are approximate and stated in USD:

Whiskey	Price
Glendalough	$35
Jameson	$31

Glendalough vs Jameson: Which is better?

Glendalough is a nicer drinker

Whiskey	Glendalough	Jameson
Nose	✅	✅
Body	✅
Palate	✅
Finish	✅
Value	✅	✅

• Glendalough is smooth and sweet, bottled at a higher proof that doesn’t feel, making a more enjoyable sip than the Jameson.

• Not a memorable or earth-shattering whiskey but drinks nicely over ice providing good value for the money.

• I still prefer the good old Jameson as mixer to make cocktails or Irish Coffee, though. This might well be the best whiskey to make cocktails as it has the right price and tasting notes to deliver good mixed drinks.