Origin: Kerry (Ireland)
Type: Irish Single Malt Whiskey
Strength: 46.5%ABV
Ageing casks: Ex-Port
Chillfiltered: No
Additional coloring: No
Owner: Dingle Distillery
Average price: € 70.00
Official website: dingledistillery.ie
Vote: 85/100
In June 2021, the young Irish distillery launched the first official single malt in its line (we tasted it here), preceded by several limited editions since 2016, equal in gradation but different in ageing, flanked by cask strength versions.
That series ended in October 2021 with this sixth bottling, matured entirely in ex-Tawny Port casks between six and seven years: 15,000 bottles at the usual 46.5%ABV strength and 1,000 cask strength.
Dingle is a small craft distillery that with this series, alongside the one dedicated to single pot stills, wanted to highlight the substantial differences in the processing of its distillate, the result of the experience of Master Distiller Graham Coull, who comes from the world of Scotch and arrived in Dingle in 2019 after fourteen years spent in Glen Moray, preceded by a decade at William Grant & Sons.
The sample for the tasting comes from the 13th release of Three Drams.
Tasting notes
A curious lactic scent emerges on the nose, almost of yoghurt in wood, which accompanies a compote of berries (currants, strawberries, blackberries), muscovado sugar, cinnamon, vanilla and a drop of lemon. Sweetly fresh and pleasant, balanced.
The opening on the palate is slightly spicy, ginger biscuits and cinnamon resume the berries wrapped in a warm blanket of vanilla and chocolate, with applications of tropical fruit (pineapple, unripe banana) and aniseed. Coffee veins on the length.
Fairly long and dry finish of ginger, currant, coffee candy, brown sugar.
A nice balance of casks, which affect the distillate without overdoing it, allowing its personality to emerge. Not particularly complex or layered but with good structure and excellent drinkability.