Tastes

Rye dominated nose but includes the strong influence of the barley as well. Digging deeper I get a light sweet cinnamon and then barrel. I drink and get popped with a strong spice right off the bat that is enforced by the proof (100 BIB) - this lingers and spreads as the alcohol evaporates and has nice viscosity. The flavor is kind of empty after that, almost too subtle to hold up to the initial punch? Somehow falling into smooth because of that with sparks of lingering spice on the tongue. I wouldn't buy again but I'm glad I tried it.

TLDR: I think it's very good without being special. A strong whiff of peat, lighter fruit (grape/apple/pear), and straw. I'm about half the bottle in and I've struggled to describe the flavors to this point and don't think I'll do a good job now either but wanted to write something. I think the problem for me is how light each of the flavors are- the blend makes an overall impression that the individual notes do not... FOR ME. Light oak - sweet barley - mild peat and excellent water? The mouthfeel is silky and the flavor balance with the proof (90) creates a very easy drinker that disappears quickly each time I pour one. Also: Not good enough to reflect the current price in my local market. Once a bottle starts to approach $100 it better be something special because there are too many excellent choices that cost way less.

I have no idea if this whiskey is a good example of Irish whiskey. I have no idea if this Whiskey meets the needs of everyone. I do know that if there was a bottle sitting around for me on the regular, I would be happy. The bright nose and sweeet easy drinking pears apples and shortbread meet MY needs. It's not my favorite (currently Bushmills 16) but I really love it and it's half the price. Start to look for a second bottle.

I've been loving this bottle. The nose is wildly distinct and I quickly pick it out amongst small blinds of Irish. It's bright like flowers but speaks perhaps more to apples or pears than traditional floral scents. I could, and have, nosed it for longer periods of time while lightly sipping. The flavor is it's own reward featuring far more oak punch than a regular Irish which brings a lot more complexity to the table than many drams. It's got a full rich body and tight sweetness that doesn't linger too long. It's a touch dry at the end but not overpoweringly so.

So the thing I'm learning is that the amount of char applied to bourbons really impacts my pallet and that flavor lingers in my mouth above most others. So here we are with a product that has been twice kissed by fresh charred new oak barrels! It's sweet and chocolate and a poke of interesting complex.. never mind everything is overwhelmed by oak char. That's what happens to me with this whiskey, a flash of flavor and a hard char barrel finish with equally unappealing mouth drying effect.

100% barley gives this a strong malty nose that I really like and is uncommon amongst all the American bourbons filing the shelves. Seems like the brand is selling the water and the methodology, and honestly can think of worse things! I think the solera casking employed here brings a softer and smoother experience than their regular bottle. Sometimes the water matters too, there is just something bright in all of their whiskies that I want to attribute to that. Perhaps there is a small memory of growing up in the area that is invoked. Either way, would drink again. Wish it was a little bit less money when compared to malty scotches in same range.

It's light and sweet and easy. The used barrel treatment this gets leaves it much softer than your average bourbon and when combined with the relatively low ABV its very easy to drink. The only recent thing I can think to compare it to would be something like Jameson's black barrel, but with a bit more depth and sweetness.

Each glass I have of this draws me in a little more. If you are looking for a whiskey with a long finish, this is NOT your dram. It's crisp and clean with a face-full of bright malt like a lovely lowland scotch but perhaps more floral. There is a light fruit-filled aromatic nose. The remainder is a light warm richness and embracing subtle warmth. It's lovely with a rich creamy mouthfeel while not being particularly oily. It's really very very good, but as a non-aged statement whiskey going for $75 a bottle, you better like the notes it throws.

recovered notes from a few nights ago: omg soo hot - water! I need water Brown sugar, musk, sweetness and bitter wood. This is very strange and fire, so hot am I drunk already? It's too damn hot. Its confused even after water and has a bitterness (burnt wood?) strong on the finish.

I'm most of the way through a 'birthday bottle' and I've been enjoying learning about this whiskey. At 120 proof, I personally find it to be 'too much' neat but love how it blooms with a big ol' cube while still being thick enough to coat the mouth. This is how I'm drinking it now. It instantly invokes all the classic bourbon flavors cherry & brown vanilla with a heavy lean toward oak char and a punch of secondary 'mixed dark sugar' sweetness. Scored knowing that free whiskey is the best whiskey and I've have a lot more scotch than bourbon.