Rating: 13/23 It says "distiller's edition", so I'm expecting added sherry. I'm also optimistic about the slightly higher proof. N: Disappointingly, this is less rich and complex than that of the regular Connemara. It really takes some digging to get much detail out. I mainly get some savory meat with some smoke and a tiny bit of strawberry. P: I've said a lot about Connemara (the regular) already. This has the same starting profile, but with some added sherry (strawberry, orange, and faint cherry, with a little bit of a tropical note) that makes it fruitier, sweeter, a tad tarter, and lighter. It also is 43% ABV instead of 40% and I do notice more alcohol here, which at first makes this taste younger, but when compared with other drams makes it taste just a bit more aggressive. I have trouble getting all of the complexity of the regular Connemara though. The cereal still comes out along with the light smokiness and some hay. There's something a bit herbal as well like a light layer of tobacco, but it's very faint. The pepper is there too, though this is a bit harsher, so I'm not sure I'm as happy with it here. It's a tasty profile, but it has a bit too much burn and is kind of light, yet it's not terribly complex and also tastes a bit young. Some of these sherry influences though are what I wish I had been able to dig out of Redbreast 12 CS. F: The waft of smoke and red fruit stay through into the finish, along with a kind of bitter note that suggests alcohol. It's fine, but not that exciting. Surprisingly, I think I prefer the regular Connemara. This is quite sippable, but it's nothing amazing. The stronger alcohol here doesn't actually bring out more flavor and it and the increased fruitiness mask quite a bit of the delightful complexity of the regular version. This one seems like more of a 12 to 14. It's solid for sure, but not the upgrade I was hoping for. All told, this seems not quite up to the level of Macallan 12 - which I think I gave a 14 - so a 13 it is.
About this bottle
There was a time when peated whiskeys in Ireland were common, particularly on the Atlantic coast where peat bogs are plentiful. That changed in the 19th century when coal arrived. The Cooley Distillery launched Connemara in the 1990's, reviving a once fine tradition of peating barley. Connemara Distillers Edition was matured in bourbon casks and finished in Oloroso sherry casks. Note: This is not currently available in the U.S.
How it tastes
Measured across 14 flavor axes. Tap a note to find other bottles that lead with it.
Reviews
Showing the most detailed of 12 parsed reviews.
N- medicinal and malty, opening up into a citrus and eucalyptus note that fades into honeysuckle and orange blossom with hints of iodine campfire. P- medicinal cough syrup with light smoke, citrus and fruit mid palate F- soft short malty finish with very subtle peppery. Overall an acceptable pour but nothing special. This is an average daily drinker if peaty Irish is your thing.
Nose: smoke, faint sherry notes (berries), herbal notes, chocolate, vanilla, citrus Palate: chocolate, vanilla, smoke and hernal notes Finish: smoke, tobacco, dark chocolate, ginger
Smokey and spicy...an absolute deviation from the Irish whiskey norm. Add two drops of water to thoroughly release the aroma in the glass. Definitely one to add to your collection!
Drank it in Volos with bro and cousins in June 2020. Good one but nothing special. Maybe should give it a second try.
Very good irish whiskey. Not at the level of a Red Breast which is definitely my reference for that kind of whiskey.
6 more reviews were collected for this bottle. The longest ones are shown first.
Tastes like this
Closest flavor profiles across the whole catalog.
