Description: This single malt was produced using barley grown by John Tynan in County Laois on a westerly-facing, lowland terroir by an ancient medieval fort (for what that’s worth). It was aged just under four years in four different cask types: first-fill American (33%), virgin American (18%), premium French (25%), and vin doux naturel (24%). While the barley in this one was grown farther north, there’s not a lot of cask type difference from the Rathclogh. Still, the aromas are very different. This whisky has a more classically malt-forward nose with sweet cereals, ginger, and Honey Grahams dominating. On the palate, it drinks more classic, too, nicely rounded and rich with a doughy sweetness and lots of orchard fruit notes — pears and apples all stewed and heavily spiced. It’s mouth-coating and oily into the generous finish, accented by a lingering bit of lemon curd.
