Irish Whiskies For St. Patrick's Day

Finished in ex-Californian Cabernet Sauvignon casks Tasted: Mar 2015 Crisp and floral grain on the nose with hints of dried fruit and winey red berries. The aromas become quite herbal with time and a light vanilla sweetness emerges.

The palate is softer than the nose and displays more oak character. Creamy vanilla and hints of dried red fruit. The crisp grain comes through on the middle, fighting its way through the oak to add balance. Long and herbal with the grain biting against the sweetness.

A vatting of malts up to 23 years old matured in ex- Sherry, Port, Madeira, White Burgundy and Cabernet Sauvignon casks Re-Tasted: Jan 2017 Aromas of mature-ish barley and perfumed barley with melon, apricot and violets. Hints of toasty and toffee'd oak, red fruits, lemon balm and spice. Initially the nose is quite vibrant but it settles down into homogeneity though.

The palate is pleasantly soft with lemon, barley, apricot, banana and toffee. Some soft red berry fruit sits below along with some dusty, tannic, slightly bitter spice. Like the nose it is a little homogeneous but the finish is well spiced but again a little bitter.

A Blend of Cooley malt and grain aged in first fill American oak and finished for 4 months in ex Flor de Cana Rum Casks selected by Dr Jim Swann.

Re-Tasted: Oct 2014 The aromas lead off with the slightly high toned neutral grain spirit and a touch of citrus, but the thick, sweetish barley, honey, toffee coated banana and a touch of rumy dried fruit comes through. With time the honey really comes to the fore, as does the banana along with a touch of oak and digestive buscuits.

The palate is full and soft opening with plenty of herbal honey and sweet digestive biscuit notes. Very fruity on the middle with barley, dried fruit, banana and apricot. The grain gives a gentle balancing nip. Long with a beautiful floral and spicy finish.