Glendalough Pot Still

From WhiskyFest

Nose is very unique, can’t quite place it. Almost soapy, iodine bit. It in a bad way just different and can’t place what it is. Nice drink but again flavor is unique. Easy to drink though. Not something I’d go for often unless I wanted to check trash for tasting and comparing others

N: Mineral water, coconut water, passion fruit, shredded coconut, green apple, cinnamon. Ethanol numbs you after a bit, but you never really smell it. Let it sit, rest the nose, come back: banana, vanilla, bread pudding - actually sort of has a Nilla Wafer thing going on, which is kind of amazing because I hadn't thought of those things in like a decade plus until just now. Oaky, sort of vague pot still spices finish it out. P: Oh, that's dry - first thought. Smooth, coating, rich mouthfeel, but not quite rising to oily. Bitter finish. Struggling to grab specific flavor notes - it's a lot of dry, bitter, and tannic pucker. A cinnamon Red Hots type heat settles in late in the finish, but it's only in spots, not the tongue tattoo you get from some bourbons. Late in the pour, starting to get some vanilla and cherry, faintly sweet bread pudding, and maybe some sour green apple. There's a chalky, mineral aftertaste that you notice basically after the finish has run its course (still some lingering tingle, but mostly done). This makes me go back and think more in that direction while tasting: fresh pour comes across earthy and a bit like a hoppy beer. Maybe there's some pine needle in it. I feel like what I wrote above is not a great review. And really this is not a great whiskey, best I can tell. But it is kinda interesting and, after 2.5 months with this bottle—which is now about one pour from empty—I never hated it, never really thought that I was struggling to get a flavor profile (until I tried to write it down). It is very untraditional - for pot still or for whiskey generally. It's an experiment, with the Irish oak and all.* I dig that - probably not enough to buy it again, but certainly enough to take a chance on the next Glendalough bottle, Irish oak and all, and to recommend others do the same. I'd like to think there are innovations to be made in distilling. Glendalough seems to be looking for them. *The line between experiment and gimmick can be pretty thin, but this seems to land on the right side of that line. Trying a new wood seems inherently risky rather than an attempt to create and/or cash in on a trend - kudos to Glendalough for taking a shot.

Has that clear nuttiness that you'd associate with a west cork distillate. Buttery, biscuits, spicy and nutty. Big oak flavours evident. Spicy on the finish.