Clarkebar
Knappogue Castle 12 Year Bourbon Cask Matured
Single Malt — Ireland
Reviewed
November 26, 2018 (edited October 22, 2023)
To start, let me say that I have yet to find any Irish Whisky (and I love the stuff, especially Midleton Very Rare) that is equal to the experience of much of the Scotch world, most especially anything Islay. I'm sure to be not alone in this opinion.
But still this is a fine Irish Whisky. Very drinkable anytime. A very sweet vanilla hit on the swallow, which does not linger and stems, no doubt, from the ex-bourbon oak casking. Unlike the Vanilla one gets from most American Bourbon, this is sweet and gone in a few seconds. It noses extraordinarily well but promises more than it delivers. But that really is no sin IMO and while lacking any deep complexity, I hold the liquid blameless. For it has many redeeming qualities which, for me at least, must be added into the equation of any whisky's worth.
This particular 12 year old Irish shows it's quality in several ways, starting with the exquisite Nose and after the swallow, checking the glass shows an amazing body of thick, syrupy leg structures returning to the bottom. The aftertaste is devoid of any overt woodiness and I tend to appreciate these things. Yet another in a long line, shall we say, of very decent, drinkable whiskys which excel at nothing but are nonetheless very easy to drink and appreciate. Some whiskys almost require me to find fault with them ... and not only due to price/value considerations. Thankfully this one does not. Let me have more time with this bottle and the rating may well rise.
$42.99 in PA but on sale now at Christmas for $40
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@Clarkebar Pappy or mortgage? Kids don’t need a roof over their heads. A bit of outdoors will do them good
Forgot to mention, though likely you already know... Pappy's are hitting the shelves and anyone who wants to pony up the money can find them at Saratoga Wine Exchange. Yikes!!!! https://www.saratogawine.com/Pappy-Van-Winkle?utm_source=Wine%20&Spirits=&utm_campaign=63c164d7bb-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2016_11_18_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_5acdada62a-63c164d7bb-237266065
@Clarkebar. Looking for to when I’m 66...20+ years to go, but by then kids will have been through college, no mortgage, and I can travel, garden, and drink whiskey
@PBMichiganWolverine - Ha! Even though I'm heading towards 66, as a relative newbie, I'm pretty sure you've been at this "Whisky appreciation" business a good bit longer than I have. Lol. Thanks again for the source.
@Clarkebar oh I think I’ve heard of them...I seem to recall having ordered a few things before from them. Prices were better than elsewhere
@PBMichiganWolverine - Many Thanks! If you need a good shop in the US, try Remedy Liquors online store in CA. All the surrounding areas in PA have ceased shipping here but Remedy's prices are generally so low that shipping makes sense. Was able to source 2 of @Whiskey_Hound's beloved Redbreast Cask Strength along with a ridiculously low price on Corryvreckan (at least by PA standards).
@Clarkebar Nichols and Perks https://www.nickollsandperks.co.uk has it for about $150, which might be cheaper than US, even with shipping
I see we all have a taste for the "good stuff". As to Midelton Very Rare , I ordered that and an 18 year Elijah Craig as the first purchases for my new retirement "hobby." I still have half the EC and am now considering opening the second '17 MVR. Probably will wait until my B-Day rolls around end of January. Smoothest Whisky I have yet tasted and the most expensive drink I've ever paid for at dinner. Love it but the price is quite high for a blended 80 proof. Worth it to me though. Will have to take @PBMichiganWolverine's advice and order from across the pond for the Legacy. FYI, just put an ice cube into a finger or two of the Knappogue Castle and it actually brought out more taste complexity with the amazing sweetness and greatly extended the finish.
@clarkebar @1901 I've yet to try any variation of Midleton. And judging by your comments I'm missing out. I'll have to get on that. For now, I'll offer up Redbreast 12 CS as my personal favorite. It's just damn fine and really sets itself apart from every other Irish whiskey I've ever tried.
@Clarkebar it’s actually cheaper from overseas, even factoring the shipping
@1901-tried Special Ordering the Crockett Legacy earlier this year and the PLCB couldn't source it then. Haven't tried again yet but it's definitely a Whisky on my list, along with a few others
@1901 I’ve heard the same—-it’s either Barry Crockett or Middleton Very Rare as best of the bunch. For those lucky ( and wealthy enough), there was a 25 yr old Redbreast matured in sherry that was supposedly amazing ( and sold out in seconds)
@Clarkebar @Clarkebar great review. I like this 12yo too, and as you say it's very drinkable. You and @Whiskey_Hound list some other fine pot still whiskeys (especially Powers John's Lane). Wondering if you ever tried Midleton Barry Crockett's Legacy? I think it may be the best Irish I've had.
Thanks for the tip ... one of the wonderful things coming from hanging around this place! I agree wholeheartedly with your other Irish favorites. Just replenished a Yellow Spot in the collection. Need to get another Green. Also a huge fan of Powers John's Lane. But Midleton Rare has my heart I'm almost ashamed to say at the price.
Nice review! I'm a big fan of this distillery. They are one of three Irish that I've tried that I consider to be on par with their Scotch counterparts (at their respective price points). The other two are Redbreast and the Spots. They make Knappogue 12 Special Reserve. It's normally a store select, bottled at 46% for around $45. Great value if you can get your hands on one.