Tyrconnell 16 Year Oloroso & Moscatel Cask Finish

Rating: 18/23 I generally enjoy the Tyrconnell 15 Madeira Cask Finish, but it doesn't blow my away. I like its sweetness, richness, and smoothness, but it isn't terribly interesting to dig into. I'm hoping that with some Oloroso in this and an extra year of age this will be a little more compelling. N: Rich malt with some wood and barrel spice gives way to guava, some pecan, vanilla, a touch of orange, and a little bit of ethanol. It doesn't smell super complex, but it sure does smell decadent. P: I definitely get some spice and tannins helping to build the maturity. They're quite nice flavors and really add a layer that I think the Tyrconnell 15 Madeira is missing. It's still sweet and fruity, but balanced against the tannins. It tastes fairly mature and mellow, though the flavors aren't tremendously sophisticated with elegant depth and balance as they blend into each other seamlessly. Here, they're a bit more distinct, but bold, rich, full, and decadent. I get that guava from the nose with a bit of oil and pecan. Some tangerine comes out as well, and some vanilla later on. The spice (clove, ginger, cinnamon) burns a little bit, but not at all unreasonably and it isn't harsh. F: Guava, vanilla, a little tangerine. Some barrel in the background, but not so much in the way of tannins. - Conclusion - This is nicely done; a very enjoyable sipper. That said, it certainly isn't blowing me away. I'm leaning in favor of it slightly over Tyrconnell 15 Madeira Cask Finish (17/23), but not by a large margin. This seems a bit more complete, but not as much more as I'd hoped. Still, I won't be too down on it since it's quite tasty. In terms of a score, this is certainly no lower than a 16. Sure, it's not the most complex and mature, but it definitely is decadent. I'm thinking a 17 or 18. I see how some can really love these Tyrconnell finished releases. They aren't blowing my mind, but boy are they hedonistic. This is highly competitive with Highland Park 16 Wings Of The Eagle (17/23). There's more complexity coming out of the Highland Park (a bit surprising for this particular Highland Park release), but there's some sulphur as well (also surprising). I'm thinking that the Highland Park is a touch better than the Tyrconnell 15 Madeira and that this is a touch better than the Highland Park. A De Fussigny XO (18/23) burns a bit more than this, but it's also more complex and vibrant. Compared to it, this is richer and even has a hint of a peanut flavor. Considering that this seems on par to better than the Highland Park and competes with the A De Fussigny, I'm going to give this an 18. The value here is honestly not great, but I definitely don't regret this purchase. This might even be competitive with my bottle of Cadenhead's Tullibardine 25 (1993), but that's a hard call to make seeing as this is more fruity and slightly rough, whereas the Tullibardine shows more fruit and honey with greater maturity and possibly subtlety. Considering how close these two are, I'm feeling confident now about giving this an 18. I've actually been considering upping the Tyrconnell 15 Madeira to an 18 as well. I don't think that it's quite on the level of the Tullibardine, but its complexity has really improved with a year of air and its hedonism hasn't been sacrificed. I don't think that it matches the Tullibardine, but it's better than I remembered it to be. I don't quite think that this is on the level of the Tullibardine because this isn't quite as mature, but they're pretty close (though stylistically very different). I'm sticking with my 18 here. Great hedonism, but not as mature as I'd like. I'd love to try a 21 year old version of this. There isn't a ton of alcohol flavor in the Tyrconnell 15 Madeira, but there's a bit less in this. This is more traditional (and perhaps bland) in its profile, but it's tasty. This isn't the most deep, complex, or mature, but it's hedonistic and interesting enough without being challenging. My bottle of That Boutique-y Whisky Company Auchroisk 19 (18/23) has some nice milkiness with somewhat more mature grain than this has. This has a bolder, more interesting flavor though. It's a kind of touch call between the two, but I'd lean toward this. The Auchroisk may be fuller with its slightly higher proof (49.4%), but this really has some nice nuance. The Auchroisk is fuller and might taste a little older, but the two are competitive. The Tyrconnell 15 Madeira seems competitive with the Auchroisk based on its (surprising) complexity, but it isn't as full and there's a touch of a cough syrup flavor holding it back. The two are competitive, though I think I'd choose the Auchroisk if I had to. Although it isn't initially all that complex, the depth really builds with it and the solid richness and awesome fullness really do stand out. This hold up better against it because it shows complexity without getting more than a finger into cough syrup territory. Look, this isn't the defining comparison, but this was an 18 before and it's competitive in the 18 category now, so it's staying an 18.

Didn't get the reg. finish 16yr some months ago when it was available on sale at the PLCB but did grab this one when it went on sale just now for the same $20 off. Like many here, all of my tastings are done neat unless specified in the review. Excellent noser with sweet fruit and mildish proof vapor. The slightest sip of the stuff on tasting brings an amazing assortment of flavors. The proof mist is just right and the strength of spice burn seems well balanced and really very good. For the $80 I paid this is a real treat, similar in experience to Midleton Yellow Spot but not quite on par. The salt with this one is a nice feature and I generally haven't experienced it elsewhere, with many candidates now under the belt. Bringing in some air and swooshing it a bit brings a deadening sensation to the tongue after finish similar to many whiskeys I've tried. Most of those generally result in wood or Menthol/Mint aftertaste. But this one is different in it's own peculiar way and, as with the Midleton Spots, I very much like it. For reference I consider the Red Spot to be one of the finest whisky experiences I have ever encountered at a non-stratospheric price and worth every damn penny. Don't know if the normal asking price for these 16 year Tyrconnells here in PA is worth the $100 tag when the Yellow Spot is not far away on the shelf for that same price ... but at $80 I can certainly "suffer", as only a good-natured Irishman can, through at least one bottle. $100 in Pa, current sale for $80 Edit 5/9/21 --- okay, so make that two bottles :) Raised the rating a bit because, you know, it's whisky drinking.

Nose - underripe banana, sour apple, pineapple, sweet floral notes, honey, mint, tangerine, caramel, vanilla, lemon, cinnamon, cocoa, clove, dry oak, apricot, fig, grape, mild to moderate ethanol burn. Taste - tangerine, lemon, sour apple, sweet floral notes, caramel, vanilla, honey, allspice, clove, mint, ginger, chili pepper, pineapple, underripe banana, leather, cocoa, peach, apricot, moderate alcohol bite, finishing medium length with tangerine, baking spice, chili pepper, and underripe banana flavors. The second and final Tyrconnell I’m tasting is this 16 Year expression finished in Oloroso and Moscatel casks. The nose is sweet, sour, and decadent. It’s not quite as syrupy as the 15 Year I tried yesterday, but there’s tangerine, dried fruit, a strong floral quality, and some nice underripe banana aromas a la Green Spot. The palate is very sour, but not in a totally unpleasant way. More tangerine, pineapple, juicy peach, and some leathery tannins. This is really good, but I find some of the same issues I did with the 15 Year. It’s extremely sweet and probably too sour as well. If I had to choose, I’d pick this one over its counterpart, because it’s less syrupy and cloying, and there’s a bit more oomph here with the leather and green banana notes. And another huge thank you to @ContemplativeFox for the generous sample! I enjoyed my Tyrconnell experiences and will keep them on my radar in the future. These aren’t your average, boring Irish whiskies.

The nose is herbal summer, with champagne minerality, and something flowery. As it airs out, you can discern aromas of pear and melon. The palate is honeyed, like mead, with orchard and tropical fruits following. Then a citrus note integrates well as a finish of grapefruit and sandalwood. The moscatel cask influence is the highlight of the show, while the oloroso cask influence is imperceptible to my untrained palate. Still, it's amazing, I could sip this all day! Being as it is double, rather than triple distilled (as are the majority of Irish whiskies), a very satisfactory mouthfeel is apparent. As a summer dram, this Irish whiskey performs marvelously, offering complexity equal to, or better than, Diageo 'classic' scotches like the Dalwhinnie 15 or Cragganmore 12. This a limited edition release, however, and I'll probably have a tantrum with it's eventual absence. Kilbeggan Distillery, are you reading this?! For the sake of Jesus, Mary & Joseph: go with this as a standard offering. My Rating Glossary: Two Stars: "I'd rather be drinking lite beer." Two 1/2 Stars: "Posh rubbish." Three Stars: "I love whisk(e)y. This is average love." Three 1/2 Stars: "May buy again." Four Stars: "I've got to get you into my life." Four 1/2 Stars: "Better than drugs." Five Stars: "Life is good. Whisky makes it better."

The nose is gentle and fruity with notes of creamy vanilla, hints of brine and smoke, and ripe stone fruit. It is very full and rich, and while almost simplistic, everything is distinct and inviting. The palate is also gentle with vanilla, oak and stone fruit all in wonderful balance. Not as intense as you might expect for its age, but part of what makes this so good is how it doesn't overwhelm. It is a great example of Irish whiskey, perfectly smooth and drinkable, with distinct flavor without being too much. The wine finish adds distinct sweetness, but in a complimentary way. A little stronger might add, but as is, without breaking the bank this is a great whiskey with some age to it. The finish is medium long with the slightest bit of lingering black pepper while fruit, vanilla and oak slowly fade.

On the nose, green apple, toasted caramel, vanilla, honey, lemon peel, something tropical. The palate is honey, chocolate, dark fruit, and brings some nice oak with a little spice on the finish. I quite enjoyed this. More full-flavored and balanced than the 15-year Madeira finished. Thanks much to @ContemplativeFox for the sample. Quite a treat!