Irish whiskeys are so distinct from those produced in Kentucky, or Scotland. They're lighter, brighter both in hue and taste, with characteristic herbaceous 'green' flavors, and an almost thirst-quenching quality unmatched by whisk(e)y from anywhere else. Thinking of this, and looking in my cabinet, I realized that I needed an Irish, and lawksamussy did I find one! Serendipity and an often-misplaced penchant for improvisation led this time to fine fruits. This nondescript bottle had crouched in my periphery for long enough... my hand wavered over the Jamie's 12 (a favorite), and moved to the left. A sheaf of great online reviews nudged it on its way. I was not disappointed. A must-try for aficionados of that island's golden whiskey, this is a dangerously drinkable single malt, bottled at
cask-strength (two or three drops of cool water per dram help it uncoil a bit). Subtle, feminine,
beguiling. Yummy!
Nose: immediately reminds of fresh-baked bread, and muscat, high-toned, verdant,
and tropical: banana, papaya, passionfruit; grassy and floral
Palate: briny pine needles, raw almonds, and Meyer lemon, unctuous white tea
and juniperskin, heather and chamomile, with a maritime finish; and just at the end, fading, fading, a breath of mossy smoke...sneakily compelling, with an almost haunting aftertaste like a gloaming echo in a steep valley, the bright blood in your mouth as you trudge up its side
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