Jim Murrays Top Rated Irish 2004-2009

[TheWhiskeyBro]

Jim Murray has published six editions of his famous whiskey bible so far, whatever you believe about subjective rating sytems in theory the cream should rise to the top. As he says himself he has tasted more casks of Cooley that anyone else other than Cooley's master blender Noel Sweeney and he has championed the rebirth/renewal of Irish Whiskey. Jim's scoring system says any whiskey rated 90 or above is 'Brlliant' and anything rated 94 or above as a 'Superstar'. To date a total of 63 whiskies fell into the first category, of which 17 were 'Superstars'. So I here you ask which ones are the Jim's superstars? Anyway here is what Jim thinks are the best ever irish whiskies:

Jim Murray's Top Rated Irish Whiskies 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Jameson Rarest Vintage Reserve (2008) nr nr nr nr nr 96
Bushmills Rare Aged 21 Year Old (2006-07) nr nr 93 96 96 95
Jameson nas (2003-2008) 95 95 95 95 95 95
Midleton 1973 Pure Pot Still nr 95 95 95 95 95
Knappogue Castle 1994 (1st Bottling) nr nr 95 95 95 95
Bushmills Carribbean Rum Cask (2005-08) nr nr 95 95 95 95
Tyrconnell Madeira Finish (2007-08) nr nr nr nr 95 95
Knappogue Castle 1992 94 94 94 94 94 94
Jameson Gold (Old Label) 94 94 94 94 94 nr
Jameson 1780 Matured 12 Years 94 94 94 94 94 nr
Connemara Cask Strength (2005-08) nr nr 94 94 94 94
Redbreast 15 Year Old nr nr nr 94 94 94
Clontarf Single Malt (2006-07) nr nr nr 94 94 90.5
Jameson 12YO (2005-06) nr nr 94 94 88 88
Cadenheads Cooley 15YO nr nr nr nr 94 94
Bushmills 1608 400th Anniv nr nr nr nr nr 94
Green Spot nas (2005) 92 92 94 93 93 93

The year(s) in bracket refer to the approximate year of bottling that were rated.
nr = not rated in that edition.

Source: Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 & 2009

[JohnM]

He had a hand in the Knappogue Castles, so I think the ratings there can be taken with a pinch of salt. I think he's done great things for Irish whiskey, though.