Tastes

I get a rough sulphury note on the nose and palate. I don’t know if it’s from a bad cork or from the casks themselves. I was very disappointed having paid $80usd for a 12 year old whisky this poor tasting. I honestly don’t get the hype for this brand especially considering the older higher quality juice that reinvigorated the brand has long since vanished.

Obviously this is no Redbreast or Spot whiskey. It is a value priced Irish. Yet, it is a far superior whiskey in both flavor profile and value when compared to the standard uber mass produced and grain whiskey heavy white label varieties from Jameson and Bushmills. Spend the extra $5, you won’t be disappointed.

Black Barrel contains a significant proportion of pot still whisky (75% from what I’ve heard). Although an NAS whiskey, it puts Bushmills 10 to shame. Beautiful notes of caramel and vanilla sweetness from the bourbon barrels combined with a juicy dark fruit aroma and flavors from the sherry casks. The mouthfeel is surprisingly chewy. My only complaint is from the low abv of 40%. I actually consider it to be my runner-up to Redbreast 12. Excellent value from a truly underrated Irish whiskey!