Dingle Single Malt Batch No. 4

Possibly the best young single malt on the market! I expect great things from this distillery as their products get more time in oak

Dingle’s artisan distillery is situated in the picturesque township for which it is named in southwest Ireland. Located on the Dingle Peninsula and its mesmerizing coastline, the area is abounding in natural beauty making it a popular tourist destination. We passed the distillery on our way to Ceann Sibéal (Dingle Golf Links) last September with a plan to stop there on our return. Unfortunately, a humble facility, described by their website as a “tin shed,” left us somewhat uninspired. This, coupled with bad timing, prompted a pass on an opportunity, which I now regret after tasting this superb creation. The distillery filled their first whiskey casks in December of 2012, and later bottled at the required 3 years and a day. This taste was their Small Batch No.4 Release, provided at a lofty 46.5% ABV. The single malt was triple distilled in “distinctively designed” stills incorporating a boil ball that promotes spirit refluxing. The company asserts this results in a spirit with “remarkable smoothness and purity.” This was found to be 100% true. The whiskey was matured in a multitude of cask types to include ex-bourbon, ex-sherry (Oloroso & PX), and ex-port. Appearing sherry-tinted amber, the whiskey noses slightly muted with hints of Oloroso. An extraordinarily smooth palate is rich in flavor and viscosity. Vanilla and malt are accompanied with sweet sherry components of dried fruits and nuts, then transitions into a delightful dry port finish. The collaboration of winey elements work tremendously well together resulting in a well crafted, high quality potable that I would rate at 4.5 stars.

Smooth, caramel and vanilla, craisins and oak. This whiskey will always have a special place in my heart, every time I have a dram it brings me back to visiting the distillery...the smell of the mash, the humidity inside and the rain outside. This whiskey is pure nostalgia for me.

Malty, lite smoke. Slightly earthy.