Glendalough 13 Year Single Malt

The first Irish whiskey release to be finished in Mizunara Japanese oak barrels. The initial maturation period was spent in American oak Bourbon barrel and the result is a citrus, honeycomb, apricot and spice flavour laden whiskey with a touch of creaminess and vanilla from the Japanese oak. No. 18 in the World's Top 20 Whiskeys by Whisky Advocate in 2018. Nose: Vanilla ice cream, toffee, orange, pine. Taste: Quite nutty and chocolate, floral. Finish: Notes of coffee bean and honey linger. (credit to published reviews - on which I built mine)

All a little soft but quite pleasant. It can take lots of water and it’s worth stretching out. Takes a long time to open up. 15-20min Nose: Pretty candy barley Background musk sticks Light tropical fruit Tinned pineapple Arrival: Woody vanilla Apple mint Fine white pepper Fresh cut grass Development: White tea Dried mango Juniper berry Spiced mead Finish: Light menthol Horse radish Herbal aniseed leaf I got this one on special for around $80 aus, very much worth getting at that price but there’s a lot of better malts for $150.

Had trouble identifying much on the nose. Maybe a bit of raisin. On the palate, I get more raisin, green apples, and a citrusy finish. I do agree that the finish is bitter. I’m liking the 46% Irish trend that’s been happening.

Grainy, some fruit with a nutty and oaky flavor that lingers too long. With water it balances out a bit with earlier nuttiness and adding some more of a butter cookie note.

Light in flavor, with string vanilla and oak. Some sweet caramel too. Darker clove and pepper notes too. A little too boozy tasting compared to some of its comparables.

At first I thought by the nose I would not like this but I was wrong. It is delightful but it does require some dilution to open it.