Dick Mack’s Dingle Single Malt Marsala finish
Dick Mack’s Dingle Single Malt Marsala Finish is the first of future Dick Mack’s bottlings and is the only Dingle whiskey to have been aged in a Marsala cask. This 7 year old has been matured for 4 ½ years in a Bourbon cask before spending a further 3 years in a Florio Marsala cask. Bottled at the old 100° imperial proof which is 57.15% ABV. The small bird on the label is a wren, to honour the Wren Day in Dingle. Only 245 bottles were made available to three whiskey societies – Irish Whiskey Society, Dublin Fire Brigade 1875 club and the Aviators Whiskey Society. Price €200.
Omar Fitzell Notes
An instantly distinctive Dingle malty nose but one that is joined by a pleasant sweetness. I expected more from the ABV but it doesn’t nose sharply for something that’s 57% ABV.
Palate
This delivers a dance and battle between the spice, sweetness and the maltiness that Dingle spirit is known for. Clove and black pepper spice lead the charge and are quickly overtaken by the sweetness from the Marsala cask. Mango and liquorice are prominent for me.
Finish
Medium finish. The biscuity malt returns, leaning towards a Weetabix note.
Overall
I found this somewhat confused. A battle between the malt and the sweetness with neither really winning. Until I added water. The addition of water, for me, pulled back on the malty notes and allowed the Marsala cask to shine somewhat more with increased sweetness.
Al Higgins notes
Nose
Quite unusual, but good. The Marsala influence is definitely noticeable and adds aromas of milky coffee, toffee yoghurt, probiotic drinks, hazelnuts, ganache, almonds, stewed apples and sultanas.
Palate
Rich and mouth-filling. Some initial oak spice and tannins which evolve into warm nutty notes, milk chocolate, clotted cream, malted grains, vanilla, ginger and black pepper.
Finish
Oak tannins, more black pepper and red chillies.
Overall
An incredible Marsala cask finish. A wine that always seems to work well with Irish whiskey. Here it has added spadefuls of character, the relative youth is apparent on the finish but this is still great fun.
Omar Fitzell
Omar has been lurking in the background of the Irish Whiskey Industry since 2010 when he started his journey through tasting, enjoying and collecting whiskey. In January 2018 he launched the online blog “That’s Dram Good” which, in those few short months, has become one of the most popular whiskey blogs in Ireland.
You can find him on:
• Twitter – @thatsdramgood
• Facebook – ThatsDramGood
Al Higgins
Over 20 years of experience in drinks retail and a member of the team at the Celtic Whiskey Shop since 2003. Alastair is chief tester and taster at the shop and is also coordinator for the Irish Whiskey Awards. When he is not working he is either training for ultra-marathons, parenting or drumming with his band Le Galaxie.
You can find him on:
• Twitter – @mostlydrinking