Roe & Co Blended Irish Whiskey Review

Last Updated on: 29th April 2024, 04:22 pm

Discover everything about the Roe & Co Blended Irish Whiskey in this in-depth review that answers all your related questions!

Reviewed by: J Highland

Roe & Co.: A Spicy Irish Whiskey with Unfiltered Character

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

Roe & Co. stands out as a unique and flavorful Irish whiskey. Here’s what you need to know:

• Distinct Character: Roe & Co. offers a spicier taste profile compared to most Irish whiskeys, thanks to its time spent maturing in bourbon barrels.
• Flavorful and Lively: This whiskey boasts a higher proof, adding a touch of zest to the drinking experience.
• Unfiltered for Richness: Unlike many whiskeys in its price range, Roe & Co. is unfiltered, resulting in a richer and more full-bodied flavor.
• Great Value: Considering its unique character and unfiltered process, Roe & Co. offers a good value for the price.
• Availability: It tends to be limited outside Ireland so you have to do your homework.

Overall, Roe & Co. is a solid choice for those seeking a flavorful and spicy Irish whiskey with a bit of a kick. If you’re looking for something different from the typical Irish profile, Roe & Co. is worth exploring, states whiskey expert Neil Coleman.

• Related: Best Irish Whiskey Selections under $50
• Learn more: Roe & Co Website

What’s unique about it?

• This is a blended Irish whiskey made from grain and malt whiskeys.
• Aged in bourbon casks, using a high proportion of first-fill barrels.
•  Bottled at 90 proof (45% ABV) which is substantially higher than the average Irish Whiskey which is typically bottled at 80 proof.
• This is a non-chill-filtered release.
• Crafted by Caroline Martin one of the few women distilling whiskeys in Ireland.
• It honors George Roe, a true pioneer of Irish Whiskey.

How does it taste?

• Nose: Honey, pear, brown sugar
• Palate: Honey, baking spice, vanilla, caramel
• Finish: Baking spice, oak spice, citrus
• Alcohol content: 90 proof (45% ABV)
• How to drink: Rocks
• Similar to: Glendalough Double Barrel

The nose of Roe & Co is richly sweet, immediately presenting honey notes, followed by a subtle touch of pear and brown sugar.

Upon tasting, it showcases a satisfying texture with its medium body.

The palate offers sweet notes and smoothness akin to bourbon, with prominent flavors of honey, baking spice, vanilla, and caramel.

As the experience concludes, the finish is of decent length, revealing more baking spice, a hint of citrus, and a subtle late appearance of oak spice.

This whiskey provides a pleasant drinking experience, with a spiciness that sets it apart from the average Irish whiskey, allowing you to truly sense the influence of aging in bourbon barrels.

Is it smoky?

On a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest, Roe & Co receives a perfect score of 0, signifying its absolute lack of smoke.

How does it rank?

These are my rankings:

Whiskey	Rank
Slane Triple Cask	76
Writers’ Tear Copper Pot	76
Bushmills Peaky Blinders	72
Roe & Co	71
Bushmills Black Bush	68
Jameson Black Barrel	68
Powers	66
Glendalough	65
Sexton Single Malt	64
Paddy	64
Bushmills Red Bush	64
Jameson	63
Bushmills Original	60
Tullamore DEW	59

Roe & Co surpasses the likes of renowned Irish Whiskeys like Jameson, Bushmills, and Tullamore DEW, and it stands among the top-ranking whiskeys in its price range.

FAQ: Roe & Co Whiskey

A quick FAQ to address your doubts:

How to drink it?

• Add water: Just a few drops of water are enough to release caramel and oak flavors, enhancing the overall experience.
• It can also be used as a mixer: The price point of Roe & Co makes it comfortable to use as a mixer, particularly enjoyable when mixed with ginger ale.

Alternatives

• Writers’ Tears Copper Pot: Offers a traditional Irish Whiskey flavor profile that is well-rounded and satisfying, though at a higher price point.

Price

• United States: $35
• Canada: $50
• Britain: £32
• Australia: $80

Alcohol content

• It has an alcohol content of 90 proof (45% ABV), which is higher than the typical 80 proof of most Irish whiskey.

Aging

• It does not provide an age statement (NAS), but it is assumed to be aged for at least 3 years in bourbon barrels.

Where is it made?

• It is made in Dublin at its distillery located on Thomas Street, near the Guinness’ St. James’ Gate brewery.

Who owns it?

• The brand is owned by London-based Diageo (Johnnie Walker), who also owns the Guinness brand.

Does it expire?

• No, alcohol doesn’t expire. It will last for years as long as you store it in a cool place away from sunlight.
• However, it’s recommended to drink it once the content is down to 25% as liquors may develop awkward notes beyond this level.

How to store it?

• Store it in a cool place away from sunlight and keep the bottle upright without coming into contact with the stopper.

How did I review Roe & Co Irish Whiskey?

I run a pub and a liquor store, granting me extensive access to various spirits, in addition, I moonlight as a spirits distiller.

My evaluations include my insights and feedback from customers and patrons and whiskey expert opinions from Neil Coleman who has been for decades in the liquor business.

I also corroborate my views with online research to ensure accuracy.

Our ratings are determined primarily by four key factors: aroma, taste, finish, and value for money. While we do consider packaging, it is of lesser importance to us, as we prioritize the quality of the liquid inside over the aesthetics of the bottle.

⭐ – Poor, ⭐⭐ – Average, ⭐⭐⭐ – Good, ⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Very Good, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Excellent.

Roe & Co Irish Whiskey: Specs

Type of Whisky	Blend
Age statement	No
Proof	90
ABV	45%
Is it good?	Yes
Is it top-shelf?	No
Does it expire?	No
Sweet?	Yes
Warm?	No
Peaty?	No
Good for beginners?	Not the best
Good for cocktails?	Yes
Good with Coke?	Not the best
Calories per shot	108
Gluten-free	Yes
Keto-friendly	Yes
Kosher	Yes