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While on a trip to the UK, I was told that in Northern Ireland, if you drink Jameson’s, it means you’re a Catholic, and if you drink Bushmill’s, it means you’re a Protestant.
Checking on the web, I find that this is dismissed as an American myth, but a real live Irishman told me that it’s because Jameson’s is made in Cork (in the Republic) and Bushmill’s is made in Northern Ireland. Both companies are owned by huge international conglomerates, so I don’t suppose it matters which one you buy, in terms of professing a religion.
That said, I was amused to find that I’ve been a devout Papist all these years. Now, what does it mean if you prefer poitín?
Linnet Moss 
Hehe, I had never heard that, but I immediately knew why that might be said… For the record, I personally prefer Bushmills (if possible the Black Label). Incidentally, that fits my religious background. BTW, after many years when all you could get in Ireland were 6 brands of whiskey (Jameson, Tullamore Dew, Paddy’s and Power’s, as well as Bushmills) the Irish whiskey industry has really picked up and there are new players on the market, notably Teeling’s.
As for poitín, the simplistic argument would be, that it was a Catholic drink (because it was predominantly made in rural areas and by a section of the populace that was predominantly Catholic). But I am sure cheap alcohol transcended all boundaries of religion 😉
Yes, I was thinking that moonshine must be made by working-class people everywhere 🙂 And it doesn’t have a label, although I see that there are some commercial versions being made now.
That is interesting about the six brands of whiskey and the new players. I like the one called “Poet’s Tears”!
I’ve tried Writer’s Tears. Delicious, mild. A great consolation when you are on Block Island…
In my experience, the Irish whiskies are milder than most Scotches. That’s one reason I like them 🙂
Yup. And no smoke taste.
Isn’t the Jameson’s distillery in Dublin? There’s a tour and stuff you can go on and you get a shot of whiskey at the end or something, but we didn’t go because we’re not whiskey drinkers – we went to see Guinness instead! 😉
I looked this up. The place in Dublin was the Jameson’s distillery until 1971, when it was moved to Cork. But it’s open as a tourist attraction. We went to the Guinness place too. I liked the room at the top with the wonderful 360-degree view of Dublin!
Ahaa! That makes sense. Thanks for clearing that up! The 360° view was grand … like the beer. 😉
My Dad is a Scottish whisky drinker and whilst I don’t drink whiskey I have tasted Jameson and do prefer the milder taste of the Irish stuff. I do love Baileys, does that count?
Bailey’s is delicious–I used to keep a forbidden bottle of it in my college dorm for a late night tipple 🙂
I used to drink Bushmill’s at a dive bar in Oklahoma, but that was really just a substitute for what I really wanted—a good Islay scotch. I wonder what religion that would tie me to? 🙂
Presbyterianism, I should think 🙂 The outer Hebrides are a stronghold of Catholicism in Scotland, but not Islay.
Would lover to go to Ireland!
I have been there once, to Dublin, and have the ambition to return!
I hope to take a ferry to Ireland next time I go to Tenby
Yes, it looks like you’d be close and could go to Wexford. Sounds like fun, as long as the weather is good!
I am told there is a lot of rain there, but it goes with the landscape I suppose
Jameson’s here. tried teeling — not impressed (but heck, there’s lotsa stuff which “won me over” after repetition. and ain’t never heard o’ poitìn — so thanx 4 the introduxion !
It’s true, some beverages are an acquired taste!
I think I was born on the wrong side of the Atlantic. I’ve never tried Bushmills or Jameson, but I do have a weakness for Kentucky Bourbon!
Oh, yes, I am fond of bourbon too. It has a sweetness that is similar (for me anyway) to some Irish whiskeys.