John L. Sullivan Irish Whiskey Review

By Douglas Fraser

Rating: C+

John L. Sullivan Irish Whiskey is named after the “Boston Strong Boy,” the Irish-American and Boston icon who was the first heavyweight champion of the gloved era, reigning from 1882 to 1892. As such, he was among the highest paid athletes of the late 19th Century.

The whiskey is said to bridge the gap between American Bourbon and Irish Whiskey at a low price point; even lover than Jameson in some areas. It’s a blended Irish whiskey, drawn from stocks of malt and grain whiskeys aged in ex-bourbon barrels. It is bottled at 40% ABV/80 Proof. Some confusion exists online about the sourcing of this whiskey, because the label clearly indicates it is triple distilled, but some think the whiskey comes from Cooley. That distillery double distills, not triple, and Cooley took a step back from being the main provider of sourced whiskey in Ireland after its acquisition by what is now Suntory Global in 2012.

The brand is currently owned by New England importer M.S. Walker, having been acquired from Georgetown Trading (owners of James E. Pepper Bourbon) in 2018.

The Whiskey
John L. Sullivan hits hard when tasted. The whiskey certainly lives up to the story behind it. The whiskey lacks refinement and depth, but hits your senses hard and packs a distinct flavor profile. It tastes like a young whiskey with nothing special to it other than the interesting back story. Triple distilled in copper pot stills, the whiskey encompasses local Irish ingredients.

Color: Straw

This tough Irish whiskey starts off with a punch of spices – then giving way to subtle notes of vanilla, leather, green apple, and some lemon citrus. The palate is similar that it is another punch to the tongue with notes of oak, leather, citrus fruits, and vanilla. The finish is long and lasting with mild notes of oak, leather, and lingering spices.

The Price
John L. Sullivan can be found for around $20.