Today, we remind our readers that Talking Bourbon likes to drink more than just Bourbon. Tequila and gin come to mind first, as does Irish Whiskey. So today, from the heart of the Wicklow Mountains, comes Glendalough Distillery, one of Ireland’s newer craft whiskey producers. Founded in 2011 and named after the nearby glacial valley and ancient monastic site. This distillery is known for its commitment to using local resources, including aging its whiskey in Irish oak casks made from trees harvested in the surrounding Wicklow area. From their website, “We hope these spirits evoke a sense of place through their depth of flavor as they are an expression of what we love about these mountains.” We are tasting their Pot Still.
Glendalough Irish Whiskey’s is aged first in used Bourbon barrels and then in Irish oak trees from around the distillery. Bottled at 84 proof, sells for around $48, is not the easiest bottle to find here in Indpls, and comes in a classy-looking corked bottle. The mash bill is 100% malted barley, and we couldn’t find an age statement. Though there seems to be a consensus that is around 3 years.
Strangely enough, this place also makes 4 to 5 different gins as well as the 4 to 5 Irish whiskeys. We have not come by a lot of whiskey distillers that also do another spirit. Hopefully they won’t come across as jacks of all trades and masters of none. We will see.
NOSE
Frank: A musty, nutty, cooked apple aroma with some oak and corn. Ice doesn’t change much.
Matt: Not a real complex nose with some green wood, malt, barley, and a touch of honey. Maybe a little pear. Ice brings out a bit of anise.
Todd: Strong scents of malt and barley remind me of scotch. Also, get a musty wood aroma along with a sweetness that kind of comes off as honey. Lesser scents are apricot, some kind of spice, and tobacco. Ice doesn’t do anything for me.
TASTE
Frank: A lot of grain with some apples and honey. Get a bit of anise as well. Ice, again, doesn’t change much.
Matt: It’s sweeter than the nose, with more honey. There’s a musty overtone, with malted barley and pears followed by pecans. Ice makes it a bit fruitier.
Todd: The malt and barley, like the nose, are the big players for me. After that is wood, a little honey, and a slight taste of tobacco. Ice makes the whole drink a little lighter.
FINISH
Frank: Medium with a tinge of oil and anise.
Matt: Short to medium with a bit more mustiness.
Todd: Medium with a sweet, scotch-type taste.
OVERALL
Frank: Easy drinker.
Matt: Not bad, I could go back and forth between this and Jameson. They have different tastes.
Todd: Decent drink, but I prefer Jameson, and it is cheaper.
Nose 3.75 out of 5
Taste 7 out of 10
Finish 3.25 out of 5
Total score 14 out of 20 barrels.
The luck o the Irish was with us. While not overly complex, Glendalough Irish Whiskey Pot Still is a smooth sipper that has a decent nose and a nice, unique taste. All coming at a decent price. While not as good as Jameson and costs more, it does offer a different take on Irish Whiskey. If you like Irish Whiskey, and you can find Glendalough, we recommend buying a bottle.