A writer’s recent do-it-yourself tour covered four whiskey tasting centers in Ireland. Last on the list was the Old Jameson Distillery, built in 1780 in Dublin. Visitors interested in seeing the Jameson operation can tour facilities in Dublin or Midleton, Ireland. Here, a group of visitors poses in front of the entrance to the Dublin facility. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)
Jameson distillery tour guide Niall Stewart talks grains and fermented sugars. “We’re serious in whiskey making,” he said, “but not in whiskey drinking. You can drink it with water, cranberry juice, Coke, anyway you want it. Just make sure you buy Jameson, not something else.” (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)
Barley and malt are mashed in a mash tun at the Jameson distillery. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)
On display at the Midleton plant is a “pot still,” which was used in one of the stages of distillation. The pot still was made in 1825 and is reputed to be the largest in the world. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)
Tourists at the Midleton facility look at antique equipment. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)
A display at the Midleton plant shows how whiskey matures in casksAs the brew ages, it becomes darker and some of it evaporates. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)
Visitors enjoy a sample of whiskey at Midleton. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)
The final step in the whiskey-making process? Gazing at the shiny bottles. These bottles are displayed at the Midleton facility. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)
Here is a complete collection of Midleton Whiskey, seen here at the Jameson plant. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)
In the lobby of the Dublin facility, visitors can peer through the transparent floor at the walls that were the foundation for the part of the original distillery. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)
Before taking a tour of the Dublin plant, visitors can have a whiskey or a cup of Irish coffee. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)
The Dublin facility’s lobby combines old and new design touches. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)
Visitors test the goods at the whiskey-tasting table at the Dublin plant. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)
The tasting room at the Dublin facility is ready for visitors. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)
