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| Hello, that is one among our (nearly) every day tastings. Santé! |
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July 20, 2022
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Could not we do just a few Irish?
Lengthy-time no Irish on WF. Let’s attempt to discover some form of logic, or perhaps not… So begin with one and observe any path…
(Image, at Midleton with some good buddies, fairly a very long time in the past)
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Redbreast 12 yo (40%, OB, Irish, single pot nonetheless, +/-2018) 
Some form of benchmark to begin with, if you’ll. Color: gold. Nostril: we used to search out this fairly larger than others, however by in the present day’s requirements, it is grow to be gentle whisky. Having stated that, it is nonetheless very seductive, fairly complicated, with these teas and softer waxes, butter cream, banana skins, honeys… We have tried a newer batch simply in March this 12 months, however this very one appears to be extra complicated, nearly assertive, and really ‘pure pot nonetheless’. Mouth: rooty, particularly with celeriac and chicory espresso. Undecided I’ve ever seen this, OBE already? Additionally huge notes of shredded carrot. Actually, whereas I really like shredded carrots (I am the President for Lifetime of the Shredded Carrots Appreciation Society (S.C.A.S). Additionally heather honey and beeswax. Effectively, this batch was notably fantastic – sorry, have not acquired any laser code. End: medium, superior, on teas and… carrot juice. Feedback: implausible batch certainly, even the 40% do not feel.
SGP:651 – 87 factors. |
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So, some form of logic, we stated…
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Inexperienced Spot (40%, OB, Irish, single pot nonetheless, +/-2018)
One other Midleton from across the identical time period. I’ve to admit I am fairly much less acquainted with these colored ‘Spots’. There is a Inexperienced Spot completed in Saint-Julien (Léoville Barton) however fortunately, this isn’t that one, it is the conventional Inexperienced Spot. Phew! Color: straw. Nostril: comparable type, however it is a little brisker, a little bit extra on damaged branches and, maybe, pipe tobacco. Just a few added bitter notes, French beans, tinned bamboo shoots and palm hearts… Mouth: identical household certainly, however as soon as once more it is a tad extra ‘whacky’, much less ‘apparent’, extra on grasses and greens, additionally a little bit extra fermentary (miso), then oily, sesame oil, sunflower, stewed peaches and apricots… That is fairly ‘pot nonetheless’ certainly. End: fairly lengthy regardless of the power, with a faint metallic contact, in any other case stewed fruits. Quince ‘tajine’. Feedback: I favored the Redbreast a little bit higher however as soon as once more, it was a very profitable batch.
SGP:651 – 85 factors. |
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So, some form of logic, we stated…
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Midleton ‘Very Uncommon Launch 1985’ (40%, OB, mix, Eire) 
The very first Midleton Very Uncommon ever, launched within the 12 months 1985, courtesy of Pernod Ricard. Normally, distillers would ship you their new stuff, which is completely regular, however this time they shipped a real wee verticale of their earlier expressions (together with their new Very Uncommon, naturally). That goes to indicate that they don’t seem to be afraid of any comparisons with their earlier makes, which isn’t at all times the case elsewhere. Effectively, Châteaux in Bordeaux would try this too. There, I stated it, allow us to proceed… Color: gentle gold. Nostril: it is at all times been a light-weight whiskey, and this isn’t exception. The grain would not shine by, which is nice, nevertheless it’s actually gentle, fairly on bananas and lightweight breakfast teas, plus the softest honeys and muffins. I am undecided it is a ‘nosing whiskey’, however in any case, nosing your whisky is a reasonably current factor. Beforehand, you’ll have simply gulped it down. Mouth: very mushy, whispering, with notes of banana cake as soon as extra, mushy teas, then maintain on, carrots, a little bit gingerbread, the softest toffees, Frappuccino (apologies) and cappuccino. The wee earthiness may be very nice. End: brief to medium, on strictly the identical flavours. Feedback: the 2022 would simply crush this superb and lightish oldie, proof that ‘whiskey was not at all times higher within the previous days’. Which will have been the entire level.
SGP:641 – 80 factors. |
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Some form of logic, we stated…
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Tomàsin 5 yo 2016 (49%, W.D. O’Connell, Irish, single pot nonetheless, cask #144104, 350 bottles, +/-2021)
It says ‘peat cask’, so maybe extra in-cask mixing, let’s watch out… This was distilled on the Nice Northern Distillery in Dundalk. Color: white wine. Nostril: asparagus, recent bark, sunflower oil, salsify, peanut butter, whiffs of woman’s evening cream and suntan lotion, shea butter… Effectively, the peat may be very discreet. Mouth: there it’s. It is superb, it is kind of of HP-levels, or say between gentle Ardmore and HP. Aside from that, and even when that is fairly good, I’d have most popular to discover a comparable profile after that nostril that I actually loved. Roots, smoke, charcoal, grapefruit… No, it is actually good and the peat is gaining traction. No, it is actually actually good. No, it is glorious, the smokiness being fairly tidal (I do know what I am attempting to say). End: typically you simply do not need to learn about how they make their whiskies, it is like wurst. Oh hell, it is glorious. Feedback: as I stated, whereas it feels fairly ten than 5.
SGP:554 – 87 factors. |
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Hinch 12 yo ‘Amarone Cask End’ (46%, OB, blended Irish, +/-2022) 
A mix of sourced grain and malt (properly, that is the definition of a mix certainly), completed for 2 years in that thickish (typically sensible) Italian crimson wine that is nice with steaks and concrete pizza, however perhaps not in our whiskies. Color: between straw and blush. Nostril: grass, leaves, tomato leaves, charcoal, cactus, eggplant… No fragrant bomb for certain, even that amarone remained terribly quiet. Was it first fill? Mouth: as they are saying in Hollywood, this goes down properly. Nice grenadine, poppy syrup, pear cake, moist cookies and macaroons, blood oranges… No quibbles, that is fairly nice. End: medium, maltier. I do not suppose there’s tons of grain whisky. Feedback: its predominant asset is that it would not be precisely ‘amarone-y’. Good drop.
SGP:551 – 79 factors. |
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Since we’re doing loopy (and typically pointless) finishes…
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Glendalough ‘French Oak Calvados XO End’ (42%, OB, Irish, +/-2021)
I’d suppose that is their very own whiskey; I am solely questioning if they don’t seem to be additionally making Irish applejack over there, therefore generate some ex-Irish applejack (or apple brandy) casks? As a result of between Irish whiskey and French calvados, there certain is an entire world… BTW, XO means ‘previous’ in whisky terminology, so ‘fairly younger’. Color: gold. Nostril: oh, baked apples, lined with maple syrup, caramel and honey, with a number of vanilla fudge in ambush. Love this, however as soon as once more we would need to fairly not understand how they made it. Simply love this. Mouth: it is a crossbreed between whiskey and apples. It isn’t precisely whiskey anymore, however they did this notably properly. Love this meta-spirit filled with stewed and baked apples, melted butter, correct caramel and caramelised popcorn. Excellent power. End: medium, fairly on candy artisan cider from Brittany (I am over there as we converse, by the best way). Feedback: success. We have had, for instance, some ex-calvados Caol Ila by a well-known home in Elgin that had been a lot much less convincing, however that was a really very long time in the past.
SGP:641 – 86 factors. |
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Yeah, the whisky world is filled with marketing-generated antonyms. Uncommon means frequent, previous means younger, collectable means higher drink it, completed means flavoured, etcetera. However let’s go on… Since we had been doing finishings…
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Dingle 8 yo 2014/2022 ‘PX Single Cask’ (59.7%, OB, Kirsch Import, 312 bottles) 
It’s triple-distilled and plainly it was not completed in PX, fairly absolutely matured. I’ve the impression that Kirsch are actually into un-boring sprits, in the beginning, fairly than into basic previous makes. You realize, Macallan, Dalmore, ‘livet usw. Color: full gold. Nostril: yeah certain, banana cake, gingerbread, previous balsamic vinegar, then big notes of brown ale and tamarind jam. Fermenting figs, or fig wine too. With water: fig wine, actually. To be sipped on the shore of the… Bosphorus. Mouth (neat): this can be very robust, with some black raisins that will make it falsely approachable. Cautious, it’s not, it will burn you. With water: there, extra fig wine, fruitcake, raisin rolls, dried litchis and rambutans, Chinese language almond jelly, and actually a number of figs. The factor is, I am fairly a fig addict. End: lengthy, identical, figs, Bosphorus, Turkish delights, maamoul (cookies full of dates), baklava… Feedback: some fairly oriental Irish whiskey chosen by a German firm; contrarily to widespread perception, the world goes properly. Nice use of PX, for as soon as.
SGP:751 – 88 factors. |
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Since we’re doing humorous Irish (and since we nonetheless want some form of logic…)
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Currach ‘Atlantic Wakame Seaweed Cask’ (57.2%, OB, wakame seaweed charred cask, for Belgium and The Netherlands, cask #286, 2021)
Proper, as if Belgium and The Netherlands would want much more seaweed than they have already got. Joking apart, we cherished different ‘seaweedy’ expressions by these unconventional whisky folks. It is true that every one we want is enjoyable, past love, no? Nah, peace is #1. Color: gold. Nostril: however sure, charcoal and lit cigars, whelks, new plywood from Ikea’s, pistachio oil (very vivid), inexperienced bananas and, properly, many unidentified inexperienced issues. New cloths too. With water: fresh-sawn pinewood and Woolite. Mouth (neat): they’re all extraordinary, actually. This one’s fairly medicinal, maybe a little bit ‘an excessive amount of’ at occasions, with a rubbery bitterness that actually sits close to the utter limits of Whiskydom. May very well be that this one went too far, it is that bizarre that you just can not even actually describe it utilizing frequent vocabulary. Whisky by and for aliens? With water: not too certain. Bitter lotions, chlorophyl, moshi, broad beans, salt… That is terra incognita, actually. End: lengthy, very medicinal, bitter, olive-y, with ‘concepts’ of Jamaican rum. Feedback: I do not know, I actually do not know. Effectively, what I do know is that this isn’t boring in any respect. Jogs my memory of the Edgar-Broughton band. Go determine…
SGP:383 – 85 factors. |
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Rapidly, and I imply in a short time…
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Currach ‘Atlantic Kombu Seaweed Cask’ (58.4%, OB, for Belgium and The Netherlands, 260 bottles, 2021)
I am misplaced, I do not know what this actually is, whereas there are extra urgent points round, there. What we’re really ready for is a ‘Shrimp Croquette Cask’, please try this. Color: wealthy gold. Nostril: much less seaweed affect, extra gingerbread, honey muffins, cigarette tobacco… With water: certainly, it’s much less excessive than the ‘wakame’. Plywood, new low cost furnishings, glues and varnishes, additionally rye bread and pumpernickel. That half is nicer for certain. Mouth (neat): big, large, flinty, rubbery, roasted… With water: again to breads and tobaccos. Molasses within the background. End: lengthy, thickish, with a number of gingerbread and a saltier aftertaste. Feedback: this time the therapy has been a little bit subtler, however it’s nonetheless a loopy heavyish concoction. It is simply that I consider they’ve discovered one thing, it isn’t unattainable that you could possibly use ‘new’ seaweed as an alternative of ‘previous’ peat. We’ll simply want to speak a little bit bit about nitrosamines… In any case, with whisky and whiskey, which is precisely the identical factor (vloggers!) far more enjoyable must be across the nook. By the best way, actually love this unapologetic little monster.
SGP:473 – 87 factors. |
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Good, maybe some very newly basic make earlier than we name this a tasting session…
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Cooley 11 yo 1992/2019 (53.4%, Cadenhead’s Open Day Massive Tasting, barrel) 
Afterglows of Cadenhead’s huge tastings and a fairly liberal view on arithmetic. Ought to we even belief the A.B.V. point out right here? Severely, solely time spent in Eire counts, in order this cask was moved to Scotland fairly some years in the past, the time depend was interrupted early. Color: gentle gold. Nostril: this actually has Meursault, mercurochrome and bandages. Hints of recent plastics too (dolphins will not thank us). With water: too far in the direction of plastics and acetic, bacterial fermentations. Mouth (neat): weirdo briney smoke, tinned olives from Peru, bitter and salty gums. Robust, actually robust. With water: nope, actually. Smoked pear, no thanks. End: lengthy, burnt, fairly troublesome, with some muddy smokiness and a saltier aftertaste. Feedback: I do know many buddies juts cherished this one and nearly constructed a statue to it, however I for one am discovering it simply too, say muddy and unsure.
SGP:363 – 75 factors. |
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Lets name this a correct Irish session? Ten, that is quantity.
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