Summer In Every Sip
Most people don't think of whiskey in summer — they picture cold evenings and warm fires. But with the right pairing, whiskey becomes the perfect companion to a perfect summer evening. The grill is lit. Let's find your pour.
For us, summer comes down to two moments
The Barbecue and The Gathering — and for each one, there's a perfect pour. First, we're firing up the grill.
No.1 — Fire & Flavour
The Barbecue
Barbecue is all about balance. Smoke rises, fat hits the flame, and everything comes together. The same goes for what's in your glass — the right Irish whiskey doesn't just match the moment, it elevates it. Here are three, from boldest to lightest.
The bold one — for the big plates
Boann Single Pot Still PX Cask
"It doesn't fight the flavour. It rounds it, deepens it, and carries it further."
Why it works with barbecue
Big, bold flavours need a whiskey with weight — and this delivers. Matured in Oloroso and finished in rare PX casks, it's layered with dark fruit, treacle, raisin and warming spice. As the meat caramelises and chars, the syrupy, almost wine-like sweetness of the PX softens those charred edges while the spice and full body cut cleanly through the fat.
- Oloroso + rare PX finish
- Dark fruit
- Treacle & raisin
- Warming spice
The all-rounder — for the whole spread
Achill Island Single Pot Still
"Smooth, layered and refined — suited to the varied flavours of the grill."
Why it works with barbecue
Crafted on the edge of the Atlantic, this elegant pour is all about balance. Bourbon and Oloroso sherry maturation captures both sides of the grill — soft vanilla, toasted oak and a hint of smoke set against dried fruit, light caramel and sweet sherry richness that echo glaze and char. Its creamy texture and gentle spice lift everything from glazed pork and sausages to grilled chicken and charred vegetables, without overpowering a thing.
- Bourbon + Oloroso sherry casks
- Vanilla & toasted oak
- Orchard fruit
- Sweet sherry
The light one — for the milder plates
The Dubliner — Bourbon Cask
"Not everything off the grill is heavy — and not every whiskey needs to be bold to make an impact."
Why it works with barbecue
Grilled chicken, corn on the cob, lightly charred vegetables — mild flavours that don't need overpowering. The vanilla and honey in the whiskey echo the natural sweetness in the food, while its smooth, clean finish cuts through the heat of the grill. It lifts the dish instead of weighing it down.
- Bourbon cask
- Vanilla & honey
- Smooth, clean finish
Coming next in the series
No.2 — The Gathering
The grill cools, the evening settles, and the conversation carries on. Next we turn from fire to friends — the perfect pours for a summer gathering at home. Keep an eye on your inbox.
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— The team at James J. Fox, Dublin