This West Cork blended Irish whiskey is ultra affordable at just $30 per bottle.
West Cork Irish Whiskey
The Nose
The nose is subtle. It hints at vanilla and spice but it is underwhelming. It is subtle and not at all “in your face”.
The Palate
That subtleness continues from the nose into the palate. This whiskey is smooth and goes down easy, but its also very light and simple. The flavor profile is relatively flat. It has a note of sweet that is easily overpowered with even a splash of water or a few ice cubes.
I enjoyed this bottle of West Cork and put it in my Everyday Whiskey category. If you enjoy Irish Whiskey and want to keep an affordable bottle on hand to enjoy with friends, this should be on your list.
The Score – West Cork Irish Whiskey
Overall it scored a 77/100, making it Sip Worthy. It’s positive and negatives are closely linked. It’s smooth, but simple, making it an easy sipper, especially if you are new to whiskey, but that simplicity also means it might leave you wanting more depth and complexity.
Glendalough Double Barrel Irish Whiskey has a lot of credentials. It won a Double Gold Medal at the 2015 San Francisco Spirits Competition, another Gold Model in 2017, and wasin the Wine Enthusiasts Top 100 Spirits in 2019.
Glendalough Double Barrel Irish Whiskey
This Glendalough was first aged in American oak barrels, then finished in Spanish oak Oloroso Sherry barrels.
With all those credentials I was excited to crack the bottle open.
The Nose
I poured a dram into a Glencairn Whisky Glass and swirled it for a moment before taking a whiff. The nose is burnt oak mellowed by sweet vanilla. It was hard to pick which one hit me first. Each time I breathed in this Glendalough I picked up different notes.
The Palate
The mouth feel was smooth and creamy that coats the back of your throat in spice as you swallow. Just like the nose, I found that each sip brought out a different aspect of this whiskey. At times the spice was almost overwhelming, with the oak and spice turning to black liquorice on the swallow.
Glendalough Double Barrel is stilled using a column still. From what I can find, they use a Coffey Still, which was on of the first commercially available continuous stills.
Why does that matter? This Glendalough Double Barrel is shooting for pot distilled flavors and notes, but you just can’t get there without using a pot still, which retain more flavors. Column stills tent to produce higher alcohol content, lighter flavored alcohols. Which is where this Glendalough Double Barrel comes in. It is trying to be a budget pot still in flavor, and actually does a decent job of getting there, but not all the way.
There are hints of deeper flavors from the time spent in the sherry casks, but the oak notes burn across a lot of the more subtle flavors.
The Score – Glendalough Double Barrel Irish Whiskey
For me this Glendalough Double Barrel Irish Whiskey scored a 74/100.
I will absolutely order a dram of this if I’m out and about, and it is clearly in the Sip Worthy category, but for me it didn’t make it into my Whiskey Safe which means I won’t be keeping an unopened bottle on hand to enjoy after the Zombie Apocalypse has started.
Color
Deep golden yellow.
Proof
42.0% ABV | 84 Proof
Pros:
The nose has depth and complexity.
Strong oak and toasted wood. If you like your whiskey on the stronger side of the flavor profiles, this might be for you.
Subtle sweetness that vies with the oak and sherry to be tasted.
Cons:
Never quite achieves the butter cookie notes I love in other Irish Whiskeys.
The toasted/burnt oak can really overpower the other tastes.
According to the Powers website, this Irish whiskey received its name from the Powers family coachmen. To keep warm in the harsh Irish winters, the three coachmen would each take a swallow from their hip flask. Thus was born Powers Three Swallow Whiskey.
Powers Three Swallow Irish Whiskey
Thank you coachmen, I’m sure you enjoyed the whiskey as much as I did. Poor a dram in a Glencairn Glass and enjoy!
This Whiskey has just about everything you want, and honestly can have at this price point. Like everything else in life, there is a diminishing return. Sure, you can spend more, but at $38 at my local mega liquor mart, your not going to find a better value. This Powers Three Swallow has the sweet honey I love in Irish Pot Still Whiskey that finishes with just a bit of spice.
Scoring – Powers Three Swallow Irish Whiskey
If you want a great Irish Whiskey, that is affordable, approachable, and deserves to be in every whiskey drinkers cabinet, you can’t go wrong with Powers Three Swallow, which is why this has earned a very respectable 87/100.
I love my Redbreast 12 Years but the prices vary so much. Sometimes I can find it for $70, but I’ve also seen it as high as $100. For $100 bucks I’d rather get two bottles of this Powers!
I was honestly a little nervous about this Kavanagh 16 Year Old Irish Whiskey after having to pour out a bottle of regular Kavanagh Whiskey for scoring 3/100. At the same time I was interested to see what 16 years of additional aging would do for this whiskey.
Kavanagh 16 Year Old Irish Whiskey
So how did it hold up?
I have to be honest and say that this is a budget whiskey and the 16 year age statement is very deceiving. Why? I feel like these are the rejected barrels for something else they are selling. Sure it has a 16 year age statement, but its still not as good as Tyrconnel Single Malt which is the same price (for me) and no where near being even close to Redbreast 12 Year.
The Score – Kavanagh 16 Year Irish Whiskey
I did finish the bottle, but I kept finding myself licking my lips and kind of “puckering up” against the strange aftertaste. I am ranking this at a 66/100, but there are much better options for the price, and this is not a bottle that I will be buying again.
Pros
Budget 16 Year Old Irish Whiskey. Where are are you going to get a 16 year old bottle for $50 bucks.
Nice honey and butter cookie notes. (At least until the funky aftertaste hits.)
Cons:
Doesn’t really hold up to other bottles at the same price points that don’t even have an age statement.
I picked up my bottle of Jameson Triple Triple Travel Exclusive in the airport in Jamaica. This would have been no problem when I had a direct flight home, but due to Covid, that flight was cancelled. So after paying for the whiskey and finding out I would need to exit security, check a bag with the whiskey in it, and then pick it up at my destination, I was seriously thinking about throwing the bottle out a window.
Frustrated
I never check luggage, and when I land I just want to get to my car and get home. So instead of my normal routine I took my backpack, wrapped my whiskey in a travel blanket and cushioned it with my neck pillow, and checked the backpack.
I figured I had a 50/50 chance of the bottle arriving intact.
Did I mention I hate checking luggage? I was honestly going to leave my backpack at the airport and go home, because my son’s girlfriend was flying in the next day, so I figured if it was still there, I’d just pick it up the next day.
But…
I’m an idiot who left his car keys zipped into the little pocket at the top of the backpack, so I had to wait at luggage pickup anyway.
I half expected my bag to be soaking wet when I got it off the belt. Thankfully it was dry, and when I got home the only damage was to the bottle cap:
Banged up Jameson Triple Triple cap.
Jameson Triple Triple Travel Exclusive is made in Midleton Distillery, County Cork, Irland. It is now on my bucket list to visit before I bite the big one.
Jameson Triple Triple is triple distilled and then blended from a selection of whiskey aged in bourbon and sherry casks. They then throw in a few hand-selected casks that have been seasoned with fortified wine from Malaga. This is what adds those hints of citrus, fruit, and that delectable sweet spiciness.
I am so glad my bottle of Triple Triple survived. I’m also sad that I’m going to have a hard time getting more. The nose will remind you of regular Jameson for obvious reasons, but it adds more depth and complexity. The time spent in the Malaga casts adds a nice dry spice to the finish that I find really enjoyable.
If I can find it, this is a bottle I will put in my Whiskey Safe. Jameson Triple Triple scored an 85/100, making it very Sip Worthy.
Color
Deep golden yellow.
Proof
40.0% ABV | 80 Proof
Pros:
Sweet nose ends in fruit and spice.
Incredibly smooth.
Takes regular Jameson and kicks it up a notch with more depth and complexity.
Cons:
Can you find it?
I’ve looked at several of my usual online stores, and none of them carry this. It appears that I really am going to have to buy an international ticket if I’m going to get another bottle anytime soon.
Tullamore D.E.W. is named after Daniel E. Williams. Williams was the distillery’s general manager, and is credited with crafting the brands distinctive flavor profile and characteristics. Mr. Williams sadly passed in 2007. I however lift a glass in appreciation every time I crack a bottle of Tullamore.
Tullamore D.E.W Irish Whiskey 12 Year
Tullamore D.E.W is a blended whiskey, created by combining pot still, malt, and grain whiskey.
The Nose
The moment I started to poor a dram into a Glencairn Glass I was hit with lovely notes. The nose is floral, sweet, and quite nice. I could spend all day appreciating the carefully created balance.
The Palate
The front of my tongue is awash with the sweetness and floral notes I love from the nose. I wish I could hold that initial touch for longer. As the whiskey moves to the mid tongue we get spice that quickly turns to wood char. That spice and wood char is nice, but it tends to overpower the sweetness on the finish. The aftertaste lingers, overpowering the sweetness and the softness of the initial sip. Don’t get me wrong. I really enjoy this dram. I just wish the finish was slightly more between the front of the tongue sweetness and the spice and char on the back of the tongue and swallow.
The Score – Tullamore D.E.W Irish Whiskey 12 Year
This Tullamore D.E.W 12 Year scores 73/100, making it Sip Worthy. What cost it some points? It was the shift between the initial notes to the finish. I really enjoy Tullamore D.E.W 12 Year and pick up a bottle whenever I see it below $45. I just wish that transition from start to the long finish was a tad bit smoother. My solution to that is to just have a few more glasses. Oddly enough that transition doesn’t bother me after three or four drams. Go figure.
Color
Light yellow and straw.
Proof
40.0% ABV | 80 Proof
Pros:
If you can find it around $40, that’s a buy.
Lovely, sweet floral nose.
Smooth and easily sipped.
Sweet, malty notes that swirl with spice.
Long spicy finish that lingers long after the swallow.
Readily available.
Cons:
This cost me $55 locally, which is too much for this bottle.
The sweet notes are quickly overpowered by the spice and oak.
The initial swallow is sweet but the aftertaste quickly wipes that out with spice and wood char.
McConnell’s Irish Whisky was apparently very popular before I was born. Up until 1958 it was known world wide as a solid Irish Whiskey choice. The dram that is available now in 2020 may not be what’s available in a few years. Why? Conecuh Brands is working with Great Northern Distillery until a new, dedicated facility is built, which will be the future source of these bottles.
The current dram is a blend of 5 year and younger whiskeys, or if you want to be true to the McConnell’s branding, whisky.
McConnell’s Irish Whisky
The Nose
I poured way too much into this Glencairn Whisky Glass! Oh well, I guess I’ll have to sip it down a little first. The nose is pleasant. It’s light and full of cereal and malt and is quite enjoyable on the nose.
The Palate
The first note on the pallet is sweet and malty but its quickly overpowered with a bit of alcohol burn that really shows this whiskeys rough edges on the finish.
The Score – McConnell’s Irish Whisky
Overall this is Sip Worthy, but only barely. McConnell’s Irish Whisky scored a 66/100
Color
Deep golden yellow.
Proof
42.0% ABV | 84 Proof
Pros:
Dirt cheap. I picked up this bottle for $25.
Great budget bottle if you want quantity over quality.
There are some sweet butter cookies under the rougher edges of the dram.
Cons:
The first note on the tongue is sweet followed by butter cookies, but instead of lingering, its quickly overpowered.
I really enjoyed Tyrconnel Single Malt without an age statement. It scored an 87/100 so I was excited to try this Tyrconnel 16 Year. My brain intrinsically equates age with quality, but if you look at how Kavanagh 16 Year scored, you also know that’s not always the case. Aging a whiskey can add depth, but there is also point where spending more time in the cask hurts the whiskey.
So how does Tyrconnel stand up to spending 16 years in a barrel? The time does add depth to this whiskey, but it also adds a few sharp edges. Don’t get me wrong, this is a very Sip Worthy dram.
The Nose
Tyrconnel 16 Year has a wonderful nose. It punches you in your olfactory senses with malt, floral notes, and spice. The 16 years really concentrated the nose in a delightful way. It was a struggle to decide whether to sip or smell this dram in a Glencairn Whisky Glass.
Tyrconnel Irish Whiskey 16 Year
The Palate
The first thing I appreciated was the dryness, and then the malt. The time spent in Oloroso Sherry Casks seasoned with Moscatel wine really shines through on the swallow. If you like dry, this will blow your socks off. The finish is deep and strong. There is malt, and spice, and sweetness that really hits you over the head with their flavors. Tyrconnel 16 year is not subtle. These are powerful, strong flavors, concentrated over 16 years.
The Score – Tyrconnel Irish Whiskey 16 Year
I really enjoyed this Tyrconnel 16 Year and will not turn down a dram if your putting it in my hand, which is why this Single Malt Irish Whiskey scored an 88/100. It is Sip Worthy, but…it didn’t make it into my Whiskey Safe. I’d drink it again, but I’m not going to buy it again. At least not until I try a lot of other Whiskeys. I’m not going to turn my nose up at a glass of Tyrconnel 16 Year, but for the price, I’ve got better options.
Color
Dark yellow with a little touch of murkiness.
Proof
46.0% ABV | 92 Proof
Pros:
Amazing nose.
Complex, layered malty-ness.
Just a hint of salt under a tidal wave of sweet, spice, and dry oak.
Hints at a dry white wine. If you like “dry” alcohol, this might be right up your alley.
Cons:
At $95 this is too rich for my blood. The cost to value just doesn’t add up.
Tyrconnel 16 Year has some surprising rough edges. If you equate age with smooth, you might be in for a little dissonance with this whiskey.
At just about half the price, Knappognue Castle 12 Year is going to give you a lot more bang for the buck.
This single malt Knappognue Castle 12 Year is finished in bourbon barrels. It was first produced in 1998, at the Cooley Distillery. In 2011, Beam Inc. purchased Cooley for $95,000,000, so someone walked away with just short of 100 million dollars. In my area, this Knappognue Castle 12 Year costs approximately $50, but prices vary every time I shop, so there could be big differences between my price and what you see at your local whiskey/bourbon reseller.
Knappogue Castle 12 Year – Empty Bottle
The Nose
The nose is pleasantly filled with sweet vanilla and butter cookies. I really enjoyed swirling this whiskey in a Glencairn Glass and just breathing in its lovely scent.
The Palate
The palate is sweet vanilla and spice that ends with a bit of pepper from the time the whiskey spent in the bourbon barrels.
The Score – Knappognue Castle Irish Whiskey 12 Year
I can’t help but compare this to Tyrconnel’s Single Malt. Tyrconnel doesn’t have an age statement, but they are within $5 of each other, and I honestly found the Tyrconnel and this Knappognue Castle 12 Years to be quite similar. I think I need to buy another bottle of each and do a blind tasting, because my memory is blurring the two together. Which means that this and Tyrconnel’s Single Malt are tied with an 87/100.
I may go back and update both the Tyrconnel’s Single Malt and this score, because I think a head to head is worth it for a tie breaker in the future.
Color
Light golden rays of sunshine.
Proof
40.0% ABV | 80 Proof
Pros:
Intoxicating vanilla and spice.
I love the buttery cookies this brings out on the tongue.
Cons:
The time spent in the bourbon barrels seems to have left a bit of pepper on the aftertaste that takes away from the rest of the experience.
Kilbrin 10 Year Single Malt is distilled in pot stills from 100% malted barley. It is produced at just one distillery, at least according to their website. What distillery? I can’t find that. There is a parish in County Cork by the name of Kilbrin, but there is no distillery there that I can find.
Based on the pieces I can put together from online research Kilbrin is a sourced whiskey. It’s not available in Ireland, and it sounds like its basically purchased from other vendors, and bottled as Kilbrin. Let’s see how it does!
The Nose
The nose is fruity and full of apples with just a hint of vanilla.
The Palate
The first sip is very approachable but the finish has a lot of alcohol in it. Enough that I feel it going up my sinuses and into the back of my throat. I feel like Kilbrin’s distiller deserves a shout out for how it opens. The whiskey is pleasant on the front of my tongue and has a decent body. It starts so strong. Sadly it doesn’t finish so strong. The finish is a bit rough, full of alcohol burn, and not nearly as smooth as I’d like from a bottle with a 10 Year age statement.
The Score – Kilbrin 10 Year Single Malt Irish Whiskey
Accordingly Kilbrin 10 Year Single Malt scores 52/100. Two things cost it points. The first is the rough finish. The second is the price. For a bottle in this price range that is combined with a 10 Year age statement I just need more.
Color
Dark yellow with a little touch of murkiness.
Proof
40.0% ABV | 80 Proof
Pros:
Entry level bottle with an entry level price.
Cons:
It is not sold in Ireland. If its not good enough for the Irish, its not good enough for me.
The opening hides a finish that hits with a bit of rough gravel on the swallow with strong notes of alcohol.
At a $50/55 price point, Knappognue Castle 12 Year is a much better option.
