The Tyrconnell 16 Year Old Oloroso & Moscatel Cask Finish Single Malt Irish Whiskey
46% ABV
$100
Website
We would like to thank Savona Communications for sending us a sample to review.
What the Distillery Says
The Tyrconnell® emerges victorious once again with the debut of its oldest and most unique cask-finished expression to date, The Tyrconnell® 16 Year Old Oloroso & Moscatel Cask Finish Single Malt Irish Whiskey. Available globally in six countries, it will be released to select U.S. markets in June with a suggested retail price of $100.00 (750ml). Only a limited quantity has been produced due to its age and unique finish.
“We are thrilled to release The Tyrconnell 16 Year Old Oloroso & Moscatel Cask Finish, as the elegant expression demonstrates our commitment to innovation and quality,” said John Cashman, Global Irish Whiskey Ambassador for the Kilbeggan Distilling Company. “Building on the success of our award-winning 2017 and 2018 Tyrconnell limited releases, we continued to experiment with different aging techniques and we’re intrigued by these distinctively seasoned Spanish casks. The result is a completely unique – and delicious – Irish whiskey unlike any other.”
The only Irish whiskey of its kind on the market, this expression was aged for 16 years in American White Oak ex-bourbon barrels before an additional maturation in wine casks from the Andalucia region of Southern Spain, which were initially seasoned with Oloroso sherry before a second seasoning with Moscatel wine. The result has a distinctive sweetness and roundness – honeysuckle, champagne and jasmine notes, with a nutty and caramelized taste that precedes a warm and dry finish with hints of grapefruit.
The Tyrconnell is made of just three ingredients – the finest Irish barley, yeast and pure Irish spring water. Produced in traditional pot stills, it is one of a rare few Irish whiskeys that utilizes double distillation, allowing more of the rich and natural flavors to remain. This creates a whiskey that carries a delicate flavor atop a creamier, more viscous presence.
The Tyrconnell distilling team began experimenting with different finishing techniques after discovering how amenable their light, soft and fruity whiskey was to a cask finish. In 2007, they released its first trio of cask-finished expressions: The Tyrconnell 10 Year Old Madeira Cask Finish, The Tyrconnell 10 Year Old Port Cask Finish and The Tyrconnell 10 Year Old Sherry Cask Finish, all permanent expressions in the brand’s portfolio (as well as The Tyrconnell Original which is aged in ex-bourbon casks only). In March 2018, The Tyrconnell 15 Year Old Madeira Cask Finish debuted as a special limited-edition.
TASTING NOTES
AROMA: An effervescent combination of honeysuckle, jasmine and brazil nut envelop the malty peach and ripe red apple skin aromas, with minerality reminiscent of Champagne
TASTE: Minerality continues with a medley of nuts and gooey dark chocolate – caramelized sugars and honeycomb combine with the malt spice for added complexity
FINISH: Dry and tannic as the oak becomes more prevalent but not before citrus and grapefruit leave a distinctive zest at the back of the mouth
The best way to enjoy this whiskey is on the rocks or neat to showcase the fruity aromas on the nose, its sweet, nutty flavor and spicy finish.
What Gary Says
Nose: Floral perfume notes, fresh apples, ripe peaches with raw honey, German Riesling with lingering tobacco smoke.
Palate: Thick mouthfeel, fruity with grapes, peaches, pears, kiwi; sharpens a bit with nutmeg, hint of ginger, caramel cremes and a note of sake.
Finish: Moderately long, drying with oak and . . . yep, hint of grapefruit.
Comments: I usually find the ‘tasting notes’ provided to be – ahem – ambitious. To be fair, there isn’t a right or wrong answer – different folks get different flavors! And I get that those responsible for coming up with tasting notes are trying to put the best spin on that product. All that said, while my notes differed a bit, what was provided was very well done. I’m not to proud to admit that I had just ‘dry citrus zest’ in my notes, but when I read theirs (which I try to avoid until after I make mines, to avoid the power of suggestion), I thought “Damn – that WAS grapefruit!” Enough about their notes – this is a delicious Irish single malt whiskey. I love that Tyrconnel only double-distills, as it lends to a richer mouthfeel, and in my opinion more dense flavor. This takes water well without thinning out, and it opens up some of the caramel notes (I could see someone getting chocolate). The Moscatel finishing leaves me with thinking of a Riesling or Sake (although Champagne would be right there), which is unique as those aren’t flavors or aromas I get often in whiskey. Fans of Irish whiskey, especially geeks who love to expand their horizons when it comes to special cask finishes, won’t be disappointed.