Origin: Cork (Ireland)
Type: Irish Single Grain Whiskey
Gradation: 46%ABV
Ageing casks: Ex-Bourbon First Fill, finished in ex-Pinot Noir Wine
Chillfiltered: No
Additional coloring: No
Owner: Hibernia Distillers
Average price: € 39.00
Official website: hydewhiskey.ie
Vote: 83/100
I return to the Irish distillery’s series dedicated to the history of their country, again with a single grain, which bears the year 1860 (the year Douglas Hyde was born) on the label.
At least six years in charred ex-Kentucky first-fill Bourbon casks, followed by six months of ageing in ex-Burgundy Pinot Noir casks, with triple-distilled whiskey from a single, undisclosed distillery.
Tasting notes
Gold with copper highlights in the glass.
Nutmeg and cedar wood emerge on the nose, accompanied by not very pronounced tones of walnuts, pistachio, blueberry, tamarind, lavender, acacia honey. Base of resin and pine needles. Intriguing, even if a little closed.
Again wood on the palate, almost like drinking from a humidor, with a pleasant thread of charred on yellow (apricot, apple, banana) and red (blueberry, sour cherry) fruit, liquorice, orange soft drink, vanilla, nuts and hazelnuts. Very spicy, with ginger, nutmeg and a hint of pepper.
Quite long and dry finish of orange, nutmeg, wood, red fruits.
If you don’t like woody influences, you’re better off staying away from it. Personally, I find it enjoyable because of the wood that acts as a common thread in a whiskey that is not very complex but lively, drinkable and comforting.
Reviews of Hyde whiskey in the blog:
Hyde Nº 3 Áras Cask ex-Bourbon
Hyde Nº 6 President’s Reserve
Hyde Nº 9 Iberian Cask