Tastes

Brown sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, and slight ripe banana on the nose. The palate brings a nice heft of barrel spice and more brown sugar, balanced by oak tannins and grainy notes. Having had this a while ago, I’m appreciating it more now as an Irish-style whiskey with features that a bourbon-drinker might enjoy: the heavy barrel impact, the warm flavour profile in general. Proud of Victoria for producing something like this!

Bright Granny Smith apple and luxurious maple syrup dominate the nose of this for me, with notes of aromatic coconut oil and vanilla. Green apple candy continues on the palate, followed by honeyed cereal sweetness and hints of cinnamon, finishing with an lime zest bitterness. This whiskey has routinely impressed me with its unique character and surprisingly complexity, despite its absolute basement proof (40% ABV). Its texture is light on the palate, but the bright fruity notes ring through with elegance and radiance. Though I often find myself reaching for something with a bit more heft – and I would love to try this at a higher proof – it’s a beloved Irish staple for a reason: what it does so well within those limitations.

Rich cherry candy/cough syrup on the nose, with acetone and floral notes and hints of vanilla. The palate opens with barrel tannins but quickly smoothes out with that cherry candy sweetness - combined with the dryness of the oak, it gives Rockets (Smarties for the Americans) candy vibes. Medium body here, quite a delight to sip neat. We were tempted to use it for eggnog (out of desperation), but I couldn’t waste an ounce of the pure goodness. Warehouse: HE Barrel: 11-3H

Solid daily drinker. Perfumy cherry cough syrup, wicker, and acetone on the nose. Brown sugar, baking spices, and black tea bitterness on the palate. Enjoying it neat while it’s also being put in a Crazy Prospector.

Butterscotch, marzipan, and plum on the nose. The palate has a honeyed sweetness pierced by near-metallic grain and oak bitterness. Orange zest lingers a bit but not much in the way of evolution here.

Cream cheese icing, acetone, and hints of warm orange zest on the nose. Marzipan and bitter orange zest on the palate with a dark-sweet raisiny finish. A darker, mustier cousin to the copper pot variant.