Tastes

Light in body, but rich with flavor, this Irish has a darker character than the more familiar brands on the market. There's almost a flavor of woody mushroom or beef stock here, which we find peculiar. The Sherry cask adds a hint of sweetness, but not nearly as much much as we expected. Notes of tannin, dried leaves, roasted coffee bean, dark chocolate and pumpernickle keep things moving in a dark direction. A very different whiskey that leans toward the opposite end of the Irish Single Malt spectrum. 

Often the flavor of cherry when combined with a distilled spirit can be medicinal. Not so, here. The flavor is natural and juicy with a lot of ripe fruit character. The whiskey itself, supports and enhances the cherry flavor by giving it the spice inherent in the rye. The body is medium, but the finish is quite long with a dark cherry and slight nutty finality. We really like this whiskey and would love to see it made widely available.

Who would have thought that a 100% wheat whiskey would taste so good? This is like fresh baked and buttered whole wheat bread in a glass. Exceptionally smooth and flavorful with notes of pecans, red apple, cinnamon roll, toffee and butterscotch, the flavors are all self assured and work cohesively. A genuine treat and one that we could enjoy on a regular basis.

This is remarkable considering the grain bill is comprised exclusively of rye. It is indeed full of spice, but there is almost a nuttiness and chewiness that comes through more so than the barrel character. A fairly heavy mouthfeel makes you take a moment to reflect on the gift of distilling and just how skilled master distiller Victoria Eady Butler is at her craft. Of the three releases last year, this just may be their best. Despite the high proof (121 ABV), it goes down exceptionally smoothly. A nice long finish adds the final touch with a mischevious cooling sensation. Keep them coming Ms. Butler!

Spicy rye right out of the gate with a slightly sweet tint adding a soft low end to the affair. Bright, high notes of oak stave with just a hint of wood smoke. The body is mild and light, whereas the flavor is extensive and the finish is extra long. Notes of baking spice, toasted nuts, leather and young tobacco ending with a touch of spearmint. A really nice whiskey and one that has a lot of character. Well worth seeking out.

A darker flavor than a typical Irish. You can almost taste the soil. There is a soft salinity along with some tannic, bitterness on the finish, creating a dry mouthfeel. The body is light and elegant. Overall, there are some soft baking spices here including cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg, but these really only come out towards the end. We find it interesting that one of the agings used casks previously resting French sweet wine. It doesn’t come through like you might expect, but rather lightens the barley character. Overall, a very unique and successful release.

The rum character is there, but at a much lower level than how the sherry expression fared. The effect adds some bass notes to the whisky, along with spice and some tingling heat. Somehow the peat fights with the rum and creeates a tension that while not unpleasant, doesn’t add to the whisky’s appeal.

Initially sweet with a sherry forward character, the peaty smoke and briny sea flavors kick in after a second, and rein in the high notes. Smooth, easy to drink and unusual, this an an outlier on the Scotch spectrum that adds a cheery note. It makes me want to try adding a drop of saline solution to my next glass of sherry. Fun and a succesful experiment.