The Data

Category   Whiskey

Sub-Category   Single Malt Irish Whiskey

Origin   County Cork

Retail Price   $64.99

ABV   43%

Score   4 Stars/Exceptional!

In the Glass

Brilliant, deep bronze color.

The nose is filled with toasted grains soaked in honey with waves of marzipan, sweet floral notes, toffee, toasted coconut, and unmistakable Rum accents with dried fruits.

The palate is in full agreement with the nose delivering a fruit-driven core with loads of nutmeg, black pepper, and citrus zest to add interest while finishing with a sweet marriage of honey and malt.

Medium to full-bodied with a lush, nearly chewy core while offering enough vibrant citrus notes to maintain balance.

Cool Factor

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

Value Grade

Considering Irish single malt prices and the fact that this cask finished line is a limited edition the asking price is certainly in line with its peers.

Analysis

The Whiskies from West Cork have impressed for some time now and their latest releases are up to their standards. They use local spring water, process their own grains, and even malt their own barley, which sets them apart from many of their fellow Irish distillers. The West Cork Rum Cask Single Malt is aged for 12 years in ex-Bourbon casks and then finished in Caribbean Rum casks for a period of three to four months. The Rum notes are fully integrated into the complex tapestry of fruit and malt. Like all West Cork single malts this lovely Whiskey is bottled without chill-filtration and no caramel is ever added.

How to Enjoy

I recommend skipping ice with this one as this will simply mute many of the subtle flavors. I like this Whiskey served in a Glencairn Whisky glass with a splash of water.