Knappogue Castle 12 Year Single Malt Irish Whiskey
Marsala Cask Finish
46% ABV
$62-$70
Website
What the Producer Says
The Knappogue Castle Cask Finish Series is a range of single malts finished in the finest wine casks. The Marco De Bartoli limited release is matured in bourbon barrels for a minimum of 12 years, then further aged in casks from the renowned Marsala Winery. Made exclusively from malted barley, distilled in copper pot stills, this expression is non-chill filtered and bottled at 92 proof.
Nose: Mix of dried fruit, mocha, and vanilla.
Taste: Juicy, savory and light, leading to fruity notes.
Finish: Hints of fruit and dry oak.
What Gary Says
Nose: Malted barley, raisins, dried apricots, marsala wine, honey, baked apples with caramel, vanilla, hints of leather, fresh cut hay and smoke.
Palate: Thick rich mouthfeel, raisins, marsala, bit of honey, notes of caramel and vanilla, canned pears, apricot, nutmeg and clove.
Finish: Moderately long, slightly drying with baking spices and marsala.
Comments: This was a first for me – a marsala cask finish (although I enjoy cooking with marsala wine). Maybe the cloudiest bottle I’ve ever bought, which I don’t mind (on the contrary!) The marsala influence is a bit strong; borderline too much. I prefer where the cask finish is a little lighter. I quite often get raisins with sherry cask finishes, but this was more ‘raisiny’ than anything else from recent memory.