Pearse The Original 5 Year Old Irish Whiskey
Pearse The Original 5 Year Old Irish Whiskey is an 86 proof (43% ABV), 750mL blend of malt and grain Irish whiskey, aged a minimum of five years in ex-bourbon barrels — specifically Town Branch Kentucky bourbon barrels from the sister distillery in Lexington — and non-chill filtered. Notably, some of the malt whiskey in the blend comes from Pearse Lyons' own stills (Vendome copper stills imported from Kentucky) in Dublin. It won Gold for Blended Premium at the 2019 Irish Whiskey Masters and Gold for Blended Age Statement at the 2022 Irish Whiskey Awards. Light, smooth, and easy — citrus, honeyed fruit, spearmint, and creamy vanilla. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- ABV: 43% (86 proof)
- Size: 750mL
- Age/style: minimum 5 years; blended malt & grain
- Casks: ex-bourbon Town Branch Kentucky barrels; non-chill filtered
- Distillery: Pearse Lyons Distillery, Dublin — includes malt distilled in the distillery's own Vendome copper stills
- Awards: Gold, Blended Premium, Irish Whiskey Masters 2019; Gold, Blended Age Statement, 2022 Irish Whiskey Awards
The Everyday Pearse
Where Founder's Choice is the tribute bottle, The Original is the house pour — and it is the Pearse that actually contains whiskey distilled in Dublin. The blend combines malt and grain whiskey aged in Town Branch bourbon barrels, with a share of the malt run through the distillery's own Vendome copper pot stills, which came over from Kentucky with Alltech's brewing operation. A 2019 Irish Whiskey Masters writeup also mentioned stout-barrel finishing and 5-to-7-year aging; the distillery's current official line is all-bourbon barrels at a five-year minimum, which is what the copy follows.
Tasting Notes
Official distillery copy finds a nose with a slightly citrus note and a wisp of smoke, mellow malt tones, and light honeyed fruits with floral undertones; a palate that is light, smooth, and easy, with a hint of spearmint warming to semi-sweet chocolate, light oak wood, creamy vanilla, and light caramel; and a finish of mild malt character — well balanced, crisp, and smooth. Approachable without being simple.
How to Enjoy
Neat, with ice, or in highballs and whiskey sours — this is the versatile bottle in the Pearse lineup. The citrus-spearmint profile loves ginger ale. Taste it against the Founder's Choice 12 in the Pearse range to see what the extra years buy you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pearse The Original a single malt or a blend? A blend of malt and grain whiskey — with some of the malt distilled in Pearse Lyons' own stills.
What does Pearse Original taste like? Citrus and light honeyed fruit, spearmint, semi-sweet chocolate, creamy vanilla, and caramel.
How long is it aged? A minimum of five years in ex-bourbon barrels.
Pick up Pearse The Original 5 online at Del Mesa Liquor — San Diego's easy-drinking Dublin blend.
