Here's a bottle I picked up a few years back and waited quite a while to open - can't seem to recall if there was any special occasion for opening it. This bottle is one that I picked up while in Ireland and it held a little sentimentality for me as my dad was with me when I bought it. At the time I was looking to bring some nice stuff back to Melbourne with me and had been looking for this in all the local shops near where my sister lives. We found it at the right price in probably the sixth shop. Dad was a great man for shopping around to find the best value. Any way as it happens I've recently finished the bottle and really took my time enjoying it and maybe following my dad's advice from some years ago as I was a little selfish with this one, hiding it away and keeping it for myself to enjoy on quiet moments.
So this whiskey is triple distilled single pot still Irish Whiskey which is or was the quintessential style of Irish Whiskey or one of them anyway depending on what history or story you listen to. It's made in the Middleton distillery in Cork where Jameson comes from and at the moment is also where the majority of Irish whiskey is produced. I believe it is one of the largest distilleries in the world and that it also has the largest pot still in the world too! the whiskey is made in giant pot stills from a mash of malted and unmalted barley and who knows possibly some other secret grains like oats too?!
Price: €60 in ireland and $100 in oz it's consistent. Its a unique style of whiskey and is very good - 5/6
Availability: This sells fast down here, they can't seem to keep it in stock for very long! This stuff is available in good bottle shops, online, in good bars and also in whiskey bars and sometimes in duty free - 4/6
Label/ bottle: Nice looking green glass bottle with an attractive label. No mention of colorant added or not or chill filtration anywhere. 12 years old, 40% ABV, triple distilled. Pot still blurb - 4/6
Marketing: This is a well marketed dram. They sponsor or support "whiskeycast" at the time of writing which is listened to by whisky nuts all over the world. The website is nicely put together and serves to introduce Middleton's range of pot still whiskey. There are some well produced videos going into the history of Irish pot still whiskey and the available brands, tasting notes, historic timelines, reviews and awards and loads of other info too. links are below and are worth checking out - 6/6
http://www.singlepotstill.com/
https://youtu.be/Ei-J8v8k3n8
Looks: Amber gold, thick legs forming evenly spaced, not too close together - 6/6
Nose: Lovely and rich, sweet, almond paste, sherry notes, something sour like cherries on a black forrest gateaux, cereal notes, oak wood, vanilla and caramel. Cereal becomes stronger over time with some spice coming in too. Something oily in there also - 17/20
Taste on entry: Sweetness from the sherry some light spiciness - 15/20
Mouthfeel/ body: lovely velvety creamy, no burn or harshness - 10/10
Finish long honey sweetness with some some spice and some citrus - 17/20
I must point out that these notes are based on the last 2 drams from the bottle which has been open for a good while and thoroughly enjoyed.
Total score: 84/100
Cheers,
Kev
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