The great Irish whiskey renaissance

Bar Jackalope’s manager Andrew Abrahamson and spirit guide Pedro Shanahan.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Bar Jackalope spirit guide Pedro Shanahan pours a little Bushmills Single Malt 16 Year.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Just arrived in the U.S., Green Spot Single Pot Still has citrus and orange peel aromas and tastes slightly yeasty, nutty and of tropical fruit.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Full-bodied, smooth Powers Gold Label Reserve 12 Year “is a lunchtime whiskey,” said Bar Jackalope spirit guide Pedro Shanahan.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

“There’s not a bad thing about this” Bushmills Single Malt 16 Year, said Andrew Abrahamson, general manager of Bar Jackalope.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Jameson Select Reserve Single Distillery Black Barrel is sweet, spicy and bourbon-like.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Double-distilled and made with single peated malt, Connemara Peated Single Malt is big, smoky, sweet and sippable.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)