Single Malt Whisky, Ireland

The second part of the triptych dedicated to Knappogue Castle, this outstanding sherry cask bottling left its native Ireland long ago, instead taking up residence in the south of Spain. With extraordinary concentration and expressive power, its palette of flavors and aromas is seeped in the elements more commonly found in the fortified wines of its adopted land. With a mature expression marked by wonderfully oxidative sequences, the infinitely delicate mouthfeel transcends this prestigious Irish whiskey.

TASTING NOTES

Nose : rich, concentrated. Delicately earthy and rooty (gentian), deliciously fruity (quince, persimmon), subtly vegetal (Havana cigar), preciously woody (beeswax, wood varnish) and softly powdery (cocoa, coffee bean), the first nose reveals unending depth. Allowed to breathe, very seductive and refined notes of rubber and tarmac add a sunny dimension to the aroma palette. Rose petal, juicy melon and candied apricot than elegantly punctuate this magnificent sequence of fragrances.

Palate : full-bodied, generous. In complete harmony with the nose, the attack deploys beautiful creamy tannins that softly envelop the taste buds. The sherry cask’s influence reaches its zenith. Flavors of praline, iris butter, grilled almond, Corinthian raisin, walnut and date flood the taste buds. At the end of the palate, a delicious orange liqueur and noble spices (ginger, clove, nutmeg) appear alongside exotic fruits (guava, mango).

Overall : long, silky. Like a raspberry brandy, the start of the finish reveals an incredible fresh expression. At the end of the finish, the flavor palette then changes track completely, taking us deep into a field of vines to pick desiccated grapes. The divinely syrupy retro-nasal olfaction is composed of abundant dried fruit and nuts (raisin, fig, date, hazelnut, chestnut). Then, just when we thought the tasting was over, a magnificent apricot rancio and heady florals (iris, mimosa) draws it out even further. The empty glass is characterized by notes of polish (wax, pine resin) and tobacco.