Trader Joe's 15 Year Single Malt Irish Whiskey

Spicy

Solid flavor. Could use a higher proof but for $35, this is a great taste.

I’m long overdue to sample and review a grocery store chain, Irish whiskey. Thanks to a new trading partner from the southwest US, @dubz480, I’m able to do just that: Trader Joe’s 15 Year Irish whiskey is heavily rumored to be juice that’s sourced from Bushmills and rebranded under the discount grocery chain’s nameplate. I am unable to purchase any spirits from these stores because here in Virginia liquor is controlled by the state (Boooo). No Trader Joe’s, no Kirkland or Costco brands for me. I have to trade for samples if I hope to eventually try them. That brings me to this 15 year old whiskey from Trader Joe’s: it’s rumored to from Bushmills and diluted to 40% ABV. I’m sure it’s chill filtered and probably has added color, which is a light and shiny caramel. A spin in your favorite tasting vessel will leave heavy drops and watery legs in its wake. The nose is predominantly butterscotch candies and honey, with some grassy and dried hay notes mingling about. Some floral properties appear along with typical oak barrel notes of vanilla. There’s no bite or hint of the lowered ABV, but it’s not boring by any means. The palate offers up orchard fruit and hints of Juicy Fruit chewing gum and measured amounts of toffee. It starts to feel like a creamy, post-dinner dessert with a warm and creamy mouth coat before some citrus interrupts the finale- in a good way. It cuts the sweet tooth feel just in time. The finish remains luscious and smooth, though, with soft and lingering fruitiness. Overall, it nails down a traditional Irish whiskey identity. Smooth and creamy with soft, fruit notes. I think the 15 years in an ex-bourbon cask, although maybe not first fill, has played well here. I hear price points are in the low $30-range, which is a solid deal. What you lose in complexity you certainly make up for in value for your money. I think it could benefit in a slight boost in bottling strength, to say 43%, but it’s still pretty solid for what you get. 3.5-3.75 stars. Cheers.

Very pleasant classic Irish pot still taste, but a bit watery on the pallet.

Disclaimer: My only real metric these days is, 'Does a shot give me instant heartburn?' That said, it certainly passes that test. Very smooth. Not overly sweet - very mild hint of cinnamon.