Origin: Drogheda (Ireland)
Typology: Irish Single Malt Whiskey
Strength: 59%ABV
Ageing casks: Ex-Bourbon and ex-Sherry Oloroso
Chillfiltered: No
Additional coloring: No
Owner: Boann Distillery
Average price: € 85.00
Official website: boanndistillery.ie
Vote: 87/100
Having tried Boann distillery’s seven-year-old, I took the opportunity to get my hands on the cask strength version, just to see how it may differ.
A limited version launched in 2016, it contains like Boann’s other bottlings a distillate from third parties, matured initially in ex-Bourbon casks before being finished in ex-Oloroso Sherry. The bottle in question is the seventh batch.
There aren’t many cask strength Irish single malts, I’m curious to see what the Cooney’s have come up with.
Tasting notes
A sherried kick on the face on first approach to the glass, so much so that initially it doesn’t even look like a whiskey. A thick blanket of sultanas, dried figs and prunes, spices (nutmeg, cinnamon), candied orange peel, chocolate and brioche jam. In crescendo, a touch of coffee, macadamia nut and sweet Haribo-type liquorice also emerge. The alcohol content is well hidden, just perceived with a slight tingle along the length.
On the palate it’s nicely compact and oily, still without a perceptible alcoholic hit, becoming dark and rough with brighter coffee and cocoa notes smeared on leather. Bitter orange marmalade, blueberries, liquorice, crème caramel… the sweet notes are contained by bitter and rough touches that maintain the balance of flavours. Slight saline impression on the length.
Fairly long finish of nuts, spices, orange, cocoa and coffee.
A cask strength dangerously hidden in an energetic dram with strong sherried connotations, without becoming cloying thanks to the interplay of sweet and bitter tones on a structure with shoulders broad enough to support such active casks on a young but decisive distillate.
Reviews of Boan Distillery whiskey