Rating: 14/23
I've never had Clonakilty before, but I've heard promising things, so I'm looking forward to giving this one a go!
N: Light and sweet with some alcohol showing through. Marshmallows with a light oaky vanilla. Some orange as I dig in, then some slightly vegetal grain that's just a tad toasted.
Not a very interesting or appealing nose, unfortunately. It smells too young.
P: Sweet, with that american oak vanilla really showing through. There's an Irish whiskey oiliness going on too, along with some grain. Not much in the way of fruit, but perhaps a bit of candied orange. Also, occasional hints of white pepper. Very light tannins coming out of the white pepper.
This isn't the most complex dram, nor is it particularly mature, but it's mostly clean and approachable with a nice sweetness and typical profile.
F: Oaky vanilla, showing a bit more bitterness coming off of dry grain. Faint remnants of the tannins and spice.
Not a very inspiring or memorable finish.
- Conclusion -
This is fine. It's a solid dram that's easy to sip, but it's nothing to write home about. I'm looking at a 13 or 14, most likely.
Coming back to this, I'm liking the nice sweet vanilla flavor. It's clean and a bit too light, but it's elegant and easy to sip. I'm finding it to be better than Dudognon Reserve (10/23), but weak and one-note when placed alongside Dudgnon Vieille Reserve (16/23). I think that a 14 is definitely the upper limit here. It could even be a 12.
This is less woody and bitter than Knappogue Castle 12 (15/23). The Knappogue Castle is fuller and more mature, with some additional nuttiness. I like the vanilla sweetness here, but there's more bite. I was about to give this a 13, but I'll let it have that 14. Honestly, this could still be a 13.
Coming back for the final couple of sips, I think that a 13 to 14 is still the right score here.
Thank you
@jdriip for sharing!