Glendalough Double Barrel Irish Whiskey (42%)
After taking Sunday off, we’re back to Irish whiskey reviews this week, beginning with the story of a saint, a blackbird, and a bucolic valley in County Wicklow.
Don’t forget that there is still time to get tickets to join me for a journey through Irish whiskey at Toronto’s Bar Hop on Thursday. Sample six whiskeys, a welcome cocktail, and delicious Bar Hop snacks, all for a measly $65!
As we close upon the day dedicated to a particular Irish saint – you know the one! – let us take pause and consider the story of another, Saint Kevin of Glendalough.
Born of nobility, St. Kevin is reputed to have been ordained in the early sixth century, after which he left civilization to live as a hermit in Glendalough. Legend has it that when he arrived in the valley, he stood in wonder with his arms extended and a blackbird landed on and built a nest in his hand, inspiring him to remain that way until the chicks had hatched and flown.
True or not – and I am a wee bit sceptical myself – St. Kevin is the symbol of the Glendalough Distillery, makers of gins flavoured by botanicals grown in the Wicklow mountains that surround the Glendalough Valley, and a range of five whiskeys. If you are unfamiliar with its products, I would encourage you to make their acquaintance.
The Double Barrel is Glendalough’s entry point whiskey, column distilled with its primary aging taking place in bourbon barrels and a six month finishing in Oloroso sherry casks. It is most definitely an Irish whiskey of a different stripe.
While the sherry finishing does show in the Double Barrel, I find that the bourbon barrels have an even greater impact, noted particularly in its very rich, vanilla-fuelled aroma with notes of nutmeg, plum pudding, and floral lemon zest. The mouthfeel is likewise full and rich, sweet and smooth, with butterscotch, shortbread, a touch of almond, and a hint of black cherry, ending with peppery spice and burnt citrus oil.
Impressive enough on its own, I find that the weight and complexity of this whiskey also suit it well to mixology.
91 ($42 - $50)