Glendalough Irish Whiskey surprises and delights. It breaks the rules of Irish whiskey, from double distillation to barrel aging. It's a fine lineup to have your expectation of Irish whiskey unpended!
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Sometimes I feel that I'm playing catch-up when I go to a tasting, that everyone there has a leg up on me.
They know about scotch and bourbon and rye and how they're made, know what the difference between a pot still and a Coffey still is. You get the picture.
However, I've been learning a lot, trying to pay attention when I go to a tasting, keeping my eye, ears, and taste buds open. Trying Glendalough Irish whiskey tested that notion, and then some!
Irish Whiskey misconceptions
I thought I knew a thing or two about Irish whiskey from tastings I've attended previously.
For instance, I thought that one of the characteristics of Irish whiskey was that it's triple distilled, yielding a softer, delicate spirit. When I tasted the expressions from the Midleton Distillery and Tullamore D.E.W., that's exactly the impression I got. I had only had single malt scotches and bourbons up to that point, so the Irish whiskies definitely had a lighter tone to them.
If scotch is the liquid version of wool, and bourbon is the liquid burlap, then Irish whiskey is liquid lace. That is something to sip on a porch swing as a summer's day slipped into evening.
I've since tried whisky from other parts of the world (like Japan, India, and Taiwan), but Irish whiskey still held that initial impression for me. So you can imagine my surprise when I went to a Glendalough Irish Whiskey tasting.
A different kind of Irish whiskey
First, I was surprised that these expressions from Glendalough had lots of body to them, not light or delicate at all. There were many layers of flavor, a chewiness to them that reminded me of the single malts I have grown to appreciate.
Then I asked about whether these whiskies are triple distilled, and the answer was no, they are double distilled. And here I thought that triple distillation was the hallmark of Irish whiskey.
Another illusion shattered.
I think I'll just stop babbling on and let you read my tasting notes now.
My Tasting Notes
Glendalough Irish Whiskey
At Gordon's DTX, May 24, 2017
Glendalough Double Barrel Single Grain
42%ABV, Coffey still, single grain malted barley and corn aged in New American Oak and Oloroso sherry
Type: Irish
Keywords: Bourbon Cask Finish, Irish Whiskey, Oloroso Cask Finish, Single Grain, Whiskey
Tasting Notes
- Nose: Green apples, cream (milk), pine
- Taste: Medium body, chewy, lightly sweet, greenish, light fruit, raisins
- Finish: Ginger rises, trails off
Comments
I was surprised at the body. I had expected something light, but instead got a mouthful with lots of interesting flavors. My previous ideas about Irish Whiskey upended just then!
Glendalough 7 year Single Malt
46%ABV, Single malt barley, double distilled, pot still
Type: Irish
Keywords: Irish Whiskey, Single Malt, Single Pot Still, Whiskey
Tasting Notes
- Nose: Caramel and fruit, apricot, butter
- Taste: Oily and thick, butterscotch, pine at the end, chewy
- Finish: Pine lasts, finish fades slowly
Comments
The "green" flavor, quite interesting - this was a close second for me.
Glendalough 13 year Single Malt
46%ABV
Type: Irish
Keywords: Bourbon Cask Finish, Irish Whiskey, Single Malt, Whiskey
Tasting Notes
- Nose: Pineapple, brown sugar
- Taste: Lot of body, roses(!), green grass and trees, complex, lots of layers
- Finish: Menthol at the end, thick until the end, wood influences
Comments
Very good - I liked the best of the lot!
Glendalough Mountain Strength Poitin
60%ABV
Type: Irish
Keywords: Irish Whiskey, Whiskey
Tasting Notes
- Nose: Light rubber
- Taste: Tastes faintly like rubber, thick, not to sip, some green notes, doesn't taste like "lace" - more like oaked Irish whiskey. It's bare, unornamented with flavors
- Finish: Fades fast
Comments
Pronounced "po-cheen", made since 584AD, no oak aging. Made with malted barley & sugar beets, it's described as Irish "moonshine." Probably good as a mixer, but not really to sip in my option.
Final thoughts
Okay, so one thing I've taken away from this tasting is that I like oak aging. The Poitin was like the vodka or aquavit of the lot, clear and mostly tasteless. It definitely packs a punch, but it's not something I would sip.
The rest of the lineup are quite good, surprising, and satisfying. They're good for anytime sipping (especially the 13-year),and you can also use them in mixed drinks, like in this Luck of the Irish Cocktail.
What a great way to have my expectations upended!
I hope you like this review! If you've tried any of the expressions and have your own tasting notes, please leave a comment. Thanks!
Slainté! L'chaim! Cheers!
- Tammy
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