The Data

Category   Whiskey

Sub-Category   Blended Irish Whiskey

Origin   West Cork

Retail Price   $26.99

ABV   40%

Score   4 Stars/Exceptional!

In the Glass

Brilliant, crystal clear.

The nose is quite refreshing and complex with scents of toasted grain mingling with honey, heather, tangerine zest, caramel, and baked apples.

The palate echoes the nose offering a dense and chewy grain and malt core with loads of support with rich honey and caramel notes foiled by a generous dose of acidity and fine wood tannins.

Moderately intense on entry the round and mildly viscous core elongates the palate leading to a spicy, peppery, wood laced finish.

Cool Factor

An independent distiller in Ireland is surely a cool thing as more distillers ae needed to offer diversity to the category and meet the need of a world with an ever-growing thirst for Irish Whiskey.

Value Grade

The West Cork Blended is a reasonable value as compared to its counterparts but I wonder if it could gain traction in an established set with a better price.

Analysis

The Whiskies from West Cork are beyond promising, I believe they have arrived. Born in the rugged lands of West Cork this independent distiller is making spirits that deserve wide acclaim and attention. They use local spring water, they process their own grains and even malt their own barley, which sets them apart from their fellow Irish distillers. The recent addition of Whiskey guru Frank McHardy (formerly of Springbank and Bushmills) further declares their intent.

How to Enjoy

Enjoy this lovely blended neat, on ice or in any number of contemporary or classic cocktails. I like mine with a splash of water but while sipping I find it to have a rich core inspiring many cocktail ideas.