Guess the Whiskeys - IWSA 15th Anniversary Contest

Irish Whiskey Society America celebrated its 15th Anniversary on October 19th with a Live Virtual Event. Leading up, we counted down the 15 Favorite Irish Whiskeys from members and conducted 3 rounds of clues in our Guess the Whiskeys contest. A clue was revealed for 8 mystery Irish Whiskeys each month ahead of our October Live reveal. During our event, the winners were also announced and prizes awarded. Below is a recap of each whiskey's clues and explanation.

The first clue really tripped people up as most guesses referred to color named whiskeys like Green Spot or Redbreast. Clue #1 was a reference to the family responsible for creating the Cooley, Great Northern, and Teeling Distilleries. The reference was for the color teal. Clue #2 was a description of the area the Teeling Distillery in Dublin resides. The tanning industry thrived in the Liberties area of Dublin, specifically known as Blackpitts. Clue #3 provided a final descriptor for the smoky flavor of the peated Blackpitts single malt from Teeling Distillery.

Whiskey #2 could have been guessed by Clue #1 as it referenced something groundbreaking. Clue #2 was a synonym for the famous brand name. Clue #3 was a reference to the IWSA event which launched the whiskey in February 2023 in the USA. In combination, the clues reveal Powers Irish Rye, the only whiskey made with 100% Irish rye.

Whiskey #3 is one of the most popular Irish Whiskeys. Clue #1 was reference to the brand's new owner, Sazerac Company, which is also a famous whiskey cocktail originated in New Orleans. Clue #2 was a play on words reference. Every year in March, inaccurate references are made to Saint Patrick's Day as Patty's Day instead of the proper Paddy's Day. When corrected, the reference is that Paddy is the proper name for Patrick, not your aunt Patty. Finally, Clue #3 was a reference to the famous salesman that the brand is named for, Patrick O'Flaherty. 

Whiskey #4 was one of the most guessed correctly, many on the first clue. Clue #1 was a reference to Davy Crockett. Clue #2 was a reference to Barry's tea, a popular Irish brand. Clue #3 was the most difficult. Shepherd's Pie is made with lamb. When made with beef, it is called Cottage Pie. This was a reference to Barry Crockett, who was born in the cottage on the property of Midleton Distillery. 

Whiskey #5 surprisingly proved to be one of the more difficult. Clue #1 was a reference to popular fictional book/movie character Jack Ryan. This established the brand in the first clue as an expression from Jack Ryan Whiskey Company. Clue #2 revealed the expression name which is also a famous Irish poem. Clue #3 provided a further detail that the whiskey was beer cask finished. Jack Ryan Raglan Road is a stout finished whiskey named for the Dublin location which is also referenced in Patrick Kavanagh's "On Raglan Road".  Many guessed the brand but not the expression. Others focused too much on the beer reference and guessed non-Jack Ryan whiskeys. 

Clues for whiskey #6 got easier with each round. Clue #1 was a reference to marriage involving 3. Clue #2 was a reference to Pablo Picasso who was born in Malaga, Spain. These clues indicate a whiskey using the sweet dessert wine finish as part of 3 components. The final clue #3 was a giveaway. Yellow Spot is the result of a mustard stain as well as the marriage of three distinct 12 year old casks, bourbon, sherry, and Malaga. 

Whiskey #7 was meant to be the most difficult, a way to ensure that the contest would endure for the three rounds without anyone guessing all 8 whiskeys too early. Clue #1 cryptically identified the brand name. Clue #2 alluded to a Cooley Distillery product while Clue #3 identified it as a blend that is no longer produced. These references proved too difficult as nobody guessed the correct answer. Clue #1 was a reference to one of America's most popular beers. Miller High Life, the Champagne of beers, was a reference for Millars, a revived blend by Cooley that is no longer in active production.

Whiskey #8 was meant to be easy. Clue #1 was a reference to the popular song "Crying". This was meant to lead people to the brand Writers' Tears. Clue #2 identified which expression as there is only one that is aged entirely in sherry casks. If these two clues did not provide the answer, Clue #3 was meant as a giveaway. While a bald lifeguard with no sunscreen would also have a red head, this is not the origin of the name. Writers' Tears Red Head is a single malt matured exclusively in sherry casks, which is how it got its name.

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Winners were revealed during our Live Virtual 15th Anniversary Celebration event. Prizes were awarded to the top 5 guessers. Prizes included: