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| Hello, that is considered one of our (virtually) day by day tastings. Santé! |
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March 17, 2025
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Some Irish whiskies to have fun
St Patrick’s Day
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I do know, it’s not precisely authentic, however generally we quiet down a bit with out even which means to. We’ll attempt to have a little bit of every little thing, with out going overboard—in any case, there are zillions of latest Irish manufacturers, and we gave up attempting to maintain observe of all of them a very long time in the past. Fingers crossed for Midleton as effectively, celebrating its 2 hundredth anniversary, although it appears manufacturing will likely be paused from April to summer season.
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(Grok) |
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That appears to be the pattern in every single place, and what’s taking place within the USA in all probability isn’t serving to issues. In any case, assist for all distillers, all around the world. That mentioned, the Irish too appear more and more eager on seasoning their whiskies with wines and different assorted drinks…
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Tullamore Dew ‘Cider Cask End’ (40%, OB, Irish mix, 50cl, +/-2024?) 
A small bottle for €20 in retailers, so maybe not the glory of glories… Color: gold. Nostril: frankly, that is all about very ripe apples, with only a trace of damp cardboard, shortbread, and a contact of vanillin within the background. Completely inoffensive, which is already one thing. Mouth: apple compote, somewhat white pepper, then inexperienced tea and a dusting of cinnamon. End: brief, with a slight bitterness and an aftertaste paying homage to sure artisanal meads. A metallic contact, as usually present in some entry-level Irish. Feedback: fairly acceptable should you take pleasure in well-ripened, even barely wrinkled apples. Very chilled glowing water or a number of ice cubes ought to do it some good.
SGP:330 – 75 factors. |
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Inexperienced Spot ‘Completed in Zinfandel Château Montelena’ (46%, OB, Irish single pot nonetheless, +/-2023) 
Right here we’re in Midleton, with a Inexperienced Spot completed in Zinfandel (purple) from Napa, California, and never Cabernet Sauvignon as many web sites appear to counsel. As we write this, one may wonder if the proportion of American wine on this whiskey (10%? 15%?) must be deducted from any potential tariffs imposed by D. Trump, ought to they ever apply to EU whiskies. By the way, we relatively loved its cousin, the model completed in Léoville Barton (WF 84). Color: apricot. Nostril: little question, that is effectively accomplished, the purple fruits don’t come speeding in like a canine in a bowling alley however relatively categorical themselves by way of bay leaf, peonies, and hints of grenadine and apricot liqueur. Danish pastries, cassata… Mouth: however after all, that is good. Nonetheless very a lot a whiskey, the Zin brings fruitiness and softness relatively than any pronounced spice—regardless of it apparently being French oak. Ripe apple reappears, together with muesli and even a contact of mustard oil. Good. End: pretty lengthy, changing into barely extra bitter at this stage however nonetheless very gratifying. Peach leaves. Feedback: we don’t have the Léoville and this Montelena facet by facet, however we’d say they’re on the same degree.
SGP:541 – 84 factors. |
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Bushmills 10 yo ‘Vino Dulce Reserve’ (43%, OB, Irish single malt, 2024) 
They name it ‘Reserve’ nevertheless it’s solely a ending. Vino dulce means candy wine, and we don’t have any additional particulars, besides that it was in all probability Spanish candy wine, given the spelling. Color: straw. Nostril: cane and agave syrups, then very ripe plums and tinned fruit cocktail. So sure, very, very ‘dulce’, compadre. Mouth: identical impression, tinned fruit cocktail with a drizzle of molasses honey. Extremely-soft, feeling nearer to 37.5% vol. than 43%. End: brief, barely syrupy, virtually ointment-like. Feedback: excellent for pouring over your… tinned fruit cocktail. Truly, not dangerous, nevertheless it lacks the unique edge discovered in lots of Bushmills malts.
SGP:640 – 79 factors. |
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Gold Spot 13 yo (46%, OB, Irish single pot nonetheless, Generations Version, 2024) 
This one’s been partially aged—not simply completed—in Recioto della Valpolicella, a really wealthy Italian wine made out of dried grapes, considerably like passito or sure vins de paille. Not too positive the way it differs from Amarone, however let’s transfer on—our Italian buddies will appropriate us. Proper, let’s dive in… Color: gold with pink hues. Nostril: not too removed from its inexperienced cousin completed in Zinfandel. Tender, fruity, removed from the excesses one may count on, extra on dried figs, correct meadow honey, then the tropical fruits we have been hoping for—ripe banana and tinned pineapple drizzled with butterscotch. Pretty touches of damp plaster and chalk within the background, preserving it from feeling flabby. Mouth: let’s overlook how they put this collectively—it simply works. Chocolate with rum-soaked raisins, then dates and figs, earlier than a burst of very, very expressive maple syrup. Value noting: whereas it does lean candy, at no level do you’re feeling the thick purple wine itself. End: lengthy, extra caramelised and spiced. Fruitcake. Feedback: I believe this can be a success.
SGP:751 – 85 factors. |
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Waterford ‘Micro Cuvée Racines’ (50%, OB, Irish single malt, Foundations, 2024) 
50% of this child was aged in ex-red Bordeaux casks, so this isn’t Waterford’s regular ‘cask invoice’. Not a lot information from Waterford these days, however we maintain praying to St Emilion and, above all, St Amour for them. Might their pause be non permanent! (as is the case with so many within the enterprise). Color: straw. Nostril: unimaginable, the freshness of the barley holds its floor masterfully in opposition to the Bordeaux. That is like getting into a correct bakery (one that really bakes its personal bread) at 5:30 within the morning. Brings again pupil days—after we weren’t even in mattress but at that hour. Now, we’re already up. Simply kidding! With water: nonetheless all about barley, barley, and extra barley. Mouth (neat): however the place’s Waldo? Certainly, the place’s the Bordeaux gone? Not that we’re complaining, thoughts you, as we’re nonetheless on fruity bread, with little bits of apricot, pear, and citrus zest. Wonderful. With water: little change, apart from a tiny saline contact, virtually maritime. End: identical. Pretty bitter notes within the aftertaste. Feedback: after all, it’s younger, and naturally, the Bordeaux cask was a priority—however not anymore. Nonetheless, that is to barley what Meursault is to Chardonnay. There.
SGP:551 – 89 factors. |
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Dingle 2015/2024 (59.4%, OB, Irish single malt, Kirsch Import, oloroso, 348 bottles)
Color: full gold. Nostril: loads of porridge, cocoa powder, tapioca, yeast, tobacco, toasted pecans… Doesn’t fairly really feel like a traditional oloroso. With water: coriander and juniper seeds, contemporary sawdust, freshly sawn pine wooden, sauna oils… Virtually like getting into an Ikea, although in a great way. Mouth (neat): wealthy, creamy, very spicy, closely marked by the wooden. Cedar, cherrywood, fir, ginger, turmeric… With water: it wakes as much as fruit, however the woody spices nonetheless rule the sport. End: stays excessive, nonetheless wood-heavy and for fairly some time. Feedback: not the simplest to know, this Dingle—very, very peculiar. However don’t overthink it, it’s in all probability simply me.
SGP:361 – 75 factors. |
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Dingle ‘Single Malt Small Batch 5’ (46.5%, OB, Irish single malt, bourbon, PX & Madeira, 30,000 bottles, 2020)
Color: pale gold. Nostril: there’s a noticeable woodiness, however the basis stays on oriental pastries, panettone, orange blossom, honey, sultanas, and contemporary barley… Very, very good! Mouth: sure, that is simpler, pretty tender, well-balanced, but with a deep fruity and pastry-like profile. Apple tart and crème brûlée, with hints of limoncello. Feels prefer it’s been no less than three weeks since we final talked about limoncello. End: relatively lengthy, fruity, extra on pear liqueur. Apples and a sure woody tannicity return within the aftertaste. Feedback: I discover this infant excellent, and above all, simpler than its extra imperious woody sibling.
SGP:551 – 83 factors. |
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Teeling 15 yo (50%, OB, Irish single grain, 2023) 
A one-year end in Sauvignon Blanc, and a bottle that appears very bourbon-like in presentation. Let’s hope nobody in Europe will get them blended up. And one has to marvel, at this level, whether or not Irish whisky can maintain its personal with out the widespread use of wine casks of every kind. Color: pale gold. Nostril: a stunning grain that reminds us of somewhat of previous Lochside ‘grain’, very citrusy and vanilla-forward, then now we have honeysuckle. You’ll say honeysuckle is plentiful in Sauvignon Blancs like Sancerre or Pouilly-Fumé, and also you’d be proper. With water: coconut water and vanillin. Dangerous information. Mouth (neat): actually lacks physique right here, like many grains, even the higher ones—until they’ve aged in top-tier sherry casks. Not my factor in any respect, this flabbiness and ‘empty’ really feel. With water: hey? A number of traces of wooden, very vanilla-heavy. End: very brief. Feedback: I owe Teeling an apology for choosing this poor grain to style on St Patrick’s Day, after we nonetheless have so many great Teeling malts left to attempt correctly. We’ll make up for it quickly, promise—cross my coronary heart…
SGP:520 – 65 factors. |
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Proper, let’s step it up…
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Knappogue Fortress 20 yo 2002/2022 (51.9%, LMDW Singapore, Ex-Libris, ‘Invisible Harps’, Irish single malt, cask #61910) 
Matured in French oak from the Tronçais forest and completed in a sherry butt. Sherry butts are okay, proper. It’s been ages since aficionados cut up into two camps—those that imagine these excellent Knappogue Castles are Bushmills, and people who assume they’re Cooley. Final we heard, they’re nonetheless arguing, however now we have our personal little thought. By the way in which, the title of this bottling refers to a serious work by Salvador Dalí… or so we think about. Color: deep gold. Nostril: a chic mango, banana, and pear cake, 50%/50%/50%, all drizzled with a honey and Sauternes sauce. Pure indulgence. With water: fresh-cut hay, chamomile, sunflower oil, chickpeas, and damp earth seem. Mouth (neat): Williams pear takes the lead. That often suggests youth, however not right here. Then come avocado, papaya, and guava, blended right into a contemporary purée over ice. Received a straw? With water: little change, apart from a contact of greenness layering on prime. Pear and peach skins. End: not very lengthy, however all the time on these knockout Williams pears. Feedback: not a lot so as to add.
SGP:651 – 90 factors. |
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By the way in which, can you will have an Irish session with out Redbreast?
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Redbreast 25 yo 1997/2024 (57.6%, OB for The Whisky Alternate, cream sherry butt end, cask #14143, 534 bottles)
This has been ‘hand chosen,’ you perceive—no AI required, not even some MS-Excel sheet. By the way in which, ‘cream’ sherries are what some used to name ‘candy oloroso,’ basically olorosos softened with PX. Some finos are additionally fortified with mosto/paxarette, however that’s in all probability not the case right here. Color: deep gold. Nostril: you possibly can inform immediately that water will likely be wanted—at this stage, it’s oddly leafy and relatively blocked. With water: there it’s—damp earth, mushrooms, walnuts, an previous wine cellar, historical casks, a contact of saltpetre, Maggi, lovage… all that. Mouth (neat): hints of gunpowder, black pepper from the pepper mill… Water feels important right here as effectively. With water: no kidding! The gunpowder observe stays, however now comes a procession of dried fruits and earthy notes. We’re deep into sherry territory right here, a lot nearer to Andalusia than to County Cork. End: Chinese language black mushrooms, espresso, and bitter chocolate. That gunpowder observe lingers within the aftertaste. Feedback: extra of a fighter than a civilised, easy-going Redbreast that strokes you the appropriate method. Adore it or hate it—we adore it.
SGP:462 – 89 factors. |
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Bushmills 32 yo 1991/2024 (43.4%, Fortunate Alternative & The Auld Alliance, barrel, cask #8393, 96 bottles)
Blimey, a 32-year-old Bushmills! Again then, it was nonetheless distilled by Irish Distillers/Pernod Ricard, I think about… Color: pale gold (!?). Nostril: that is Jamaican rum, maybe an especially previous Appleton. Banana and mango juice blended with olive oil, essence, and linseed oil. In brief, totally chic. Mouth: nice Scott, may you please summon each the anti-rumoporn battalion and the anti-maltoporn brigade instantly? To be clear, there’s a little bit of wooden in the beginning (black tea-ish), however then come waves of oils (rapeseed, olive) and, above all, stewed unique fruits, which carry every little thing away—particularly as we’re as soon as once more catapulted to Jamaica, with tar, black olives, a contact of solvent, and even seawater and clams. Bonkers. End: lengthy, more and more saline, maritime, and varnishy. Loopy. The aftertaste is extra bitter, however who cares. Feedback: with spirits like these, what occurs after 30 has little to do with what occurs earlier than. certainly, a gratuitous assertion, however aren’t we dwelling within the post-truth period anyway? In any case, as George Costanza rightly mentioned, it’s not a lie should you imagine it.
SGP:571 – 92 factors. |
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Nicely, glad St Pat’! Whereas we’ve loved some wonderful Irish whiskies as we speak, you’ll have additionally seen that, alongside the way in which, we’ve had cream sherry, PX, Madeira, oloroso, Valpolicella, vino dulce, zinfandel, cider, and… bourbon. That’s proper.
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