Killeigh
Canadian Island Triple Distilled Potstill Whisky
Carefully crafted in premium Kentucky bourbon, European Moscatel & virgin American casks
46% ABV
$125
Website
We would like to thank Macaloney’s Island Distillery for sending us a sample to review.
What the Distillery Says
This island whisky is from our triple distilled single potstill range – triple distilled using only the best unmalted and malted barley available. The patient, yet purposeful, triple distillation produces a complex, layered and balanced new-make spirit. Dr. Swan described our original new-make which trickles off our copper pot stills as “the best that I have tasted in any distillery at this stage, super fruity.” This triple-distillate is even smoother and fruitier!
Killeigh is a salute to our distillers who love how Kentucky Bourbon wood allows our house style with its plethora of tropical fruits to shine through. Embellished by our Master Whiskymaker with Portuguese moscatel sweet white wine oak casks and virgin American oak casks, the result is a distillers delight.
The nose presents cream soda, soft vanilla and oak, with apricot, pear, hints of banana, sweet pea flowers, milled oats and honey. The white wine is delicate and layered with wet coastal forest and sea breeze. The palate is velvety-creamy with more tropical fruits including sweet lychees, mandarin orange, and delicate banana embellished with honey and barley water. Fresh rose petals and a potpourri of dried flowers and wood spice yield to vanilla, oak and coconut with a hint of linseed, nutmeg and cinnamon. The development includes light moscatel white wine, crème fraîche, toasted hazelnut, and sea salt, drying to a long, lingering oak finish. Superb!
Killeigh won Best Potstill Whisky in Canada at the prestigious 2022 World Whiskies Awards.
ABV: 46% | 750ml bottle | Natural Colour & Non-Chill Filtered
What Gary Says
Nose: Honey, vanilla, malt, fruity with canned pears and over-ripe bananas, subtle floral notes.
Palate: Creamy mouthfeel, sweet with honey, fruit notes of banana, pear, blackcurrant, bit of citrus, vanilla and a hint of nutmeg.
Finish: Moderately long, damp with fruit salad and a bit of pepper.
Comments: A really nice, balanced, fruity dram. Appreciate the ABV (although would love to see this higher) and the non-chill filtration. This is non-age stated, so not sure how old it is. Age isn’t everything, and while this seems like it might be a tad young – there aren’t any rough edges or objectionable notes. Of the first three Macaloney’s Island Distillery samples I’m reviewing, this was my least favorite (don’t be like that, there has to be a 3rd place) but if someone is offering to pour – I’m not turning it down. It does seem a bit pricey, but value is in the eye of the beholder.