Origin: Clare (Ireland)
Type: Irish Blended Malt Whiskey
Strength: 46%ABV
Ageing casks: Ex-Bourbon and ex-Moscatel
Chillfiltered: No
Added colouring: No
Owner: Chapel Gate Irish Whiskey Company
Average price: € 110.00
Official website: www.jjcorry.com
Vote: 86/100
J.J. Corry has revived an ancient and well-established trade in the history of Irish whiskey, the bonders, i.e. those who buy whiskey and new make from different distilleries and then age them in their own casks in their own warehouse.
And so it was that in 2017 a warehouse was built on the McGuane family’s land in County Clare in which to age whiskey purchased from third parties. The idea came from Louise McGuane, who decided to use part of her father P.J.’s farm, which is still active today for growing and breeding.
Louise comes from a long background in the industry, having worked for Diageo, Pernod Ricard and Moet Hennessy, and chose the name on the label inspired by that of another bonder who had his own business three miles from the family’s land in the late 1800s.
A rather extensive whiskey portfolio, divided into five different lines: The Gael, The Hanson, The Battalion, The Banner County Blend and this one The Flintlock.
Composed only of single malts, i.e. casks from a single undisclosed distillery, this blended is made in a limited edition of only 1,200 bottles, with the age stated on the label.
The first batch, which won the award for best Irish Malt over 13 years, was composed of whiskies aged at least 16 years, the second at least 14 and this third at least 15 years (up to 19).
Released at the end of 2021, this bottling comes from ex-Bourbon casks, blended into a 500 litre ex-Moscatel cask for a couple of months’ finishing, presented in 50cl bottles.
Tasting notes
Aromas dominated by fruit (apricot, peach, pineapple, lychee) and citrus notes (tangerine, grapefruit), traversed by a mineral streak that combines with floral impressions (orange blossom, jasmine) giving a beautiful spring lightness to the nose. A background of vanilla and raspberries completes a very inviting and fresh picture.
On the palate, a slight push of black pepper and cinnamon enhances the citrus fruit, well grafted onto a still strongly fruity profile that echoes the olfactory tones, particularly enhancing peach and lychee. Always in the name of freshness, with a medium and soft body that flows pleasantly in the mouth, the mineral vein is subdued but still present, as are the floral notes that embrace the flavours. Honey and vanilla also peep through.
The finish is quite long and slightly spicy, mineral, of flowers, yellow fruit and vanilla.
A very pleasant and elegant dram, certainly not suitable for those who don’t like markedly fruity profiles, which here find balance thanks to the mineral note that softens the sweetness, with the Muscatel cask entering on tiptoe, giving just a hint of extra depth.