Lambay Single Malt Finished in Cognac Casks

My wife came across this and bought it because of the puffin on the label, which is as good a reason as any to try something new! I had never heard of this whiskey before, but am generally a fan of Irish whiskey, so why not! Nose Typical Irish fruitiness and malt is prominent to start, followed by the presence of the cognac influence adding a layer of complexity. Pear with a note of grassiness. Lastly a hint of vanilla and oak, but a minor player. Overall somewhat light on the nose, but bottled at 40% so not overly surprising. I am suspecting a gentle whiskey that will be an easy drinking companion. Palate Strong Irish malt flavors up front and much bolder with more body then the nose let on. The fruits evident on the nose are muted here, and the grainy bitterness that I enjoy in some of my favorite Irish whiskies (think redbreast 15 or 21) is spotlighted. I get a slight hint of the cognac barrels but again, it isn't overpowering like some wine barrel finishes. Following sips still ramp up to a surprising large flavour and more of the fruits come forward with a stronger vanilla presence. Finish Medium and lingering in my mid hard palate. It leaves a nice feel and a residual flavor that sticks around very pleasantly. I'm having trouble quantifying more flavours on the finish other than it is what I have come to expect with many Irish whiskies. In summary this is a nice find. Full flavored, but maybe lacks some complexity of some other similar priced Irish. Nonetheless, an interesting find and buy and one in happy to own, enjoy, and share!

WhiskeyLive Dublin 2018 This single malt is a sourced spirit aged in bourbon casks and then finished in Camus cognac barrels. The finishing is done in a warehouse on the island and try as I might I could not detect the maritime waft that the rep tried to convince me was there. I did register apples, pears, and floral notes though. The taste was typical but tasty - vanilla, shortbread, and lightly fruity. Lambay island is a privately owned island 3 miles off the coast of County Dublin, passed down through generations of Barings barons (they of banking fame). It is known as a home for a vast amount of seabirds including a circus of puffins, which feature on the label. But it is also, more peculiarly, home to a mob of wild wallabies introduced in the 50s and added to by a donation of surplus wallabies from Dublin Zoo over 30 years ago.

Summerton Virtual Whisky Festival sample. This is a bit of a mongrel due to the time in the cognac. A very light, fruity dram. Apparently, the spirit spends around 6-months in the cognac casks and the whisky itself is around the 5.5 year mark. There is some saline as it develops, but overall I get the plummy sweetness from the cognac more than anything. The aftertaste is quite long and warm. I’d certainly come back to this one. (Like the small batch, I had a bit of an allergic reaction to this one and couldn’t stop sneezing)!

Fabulous balance throughout the entire sip and swallow. On par with Redbreast 12 and 15 for me. Far smoother on the finish, thought more mellow on the nose with oak and slight tannins.

Sweet, caramel, smooth with a harsher aftertaste, creamy and a little floral, definite Cognac flavor.

- cantaloupe - honeydew - oak - green grape - baked green apple - almond - floral - vanilla - salt