Red Silkie Cask Strength
From the people at Sliabh Liag Distillers in Carrick, County Donegal, Red Silkie plays homage to a real-life legend, one of the last Chieftains of Donegal, Red Hugh
O’Donnell. This limited edition cask strength blend was limited to just 210 bottles (compared to their 46% ABV release of 1,100 bottles). The whiskey has been finished in casks from the Ribera del Duero and the Rioja regions of Spain. Bottled at a hefty 63.2% ABV this retailed on their website for €85.
Omar Fitzell Notes
Nose
Bursting with juicy grapes, apples, red berries and blackberry compote. Hint of pepper spice with chocolate, fudge and toffee sweetness.
Palate
Oily mouthfeel. Good punch from the high ABV but it is by no means overpowering the flavours. Again it’s bursting with fruits. Strawberries, grapes, apples and some raisins too. Leather, cinnamon spice and a whisp is smoke round the palate out nicely drawing back on the sweetness to balance it.
Finish
Medium to long. The smoke continues as it becomes dry and fades away.
Overall
I’m going to pin my colours to the mast here. This is a tremendous winner for me. I’m partial to wine finishes anyway but the combination of ABV and smoke make this a serious contender! Two drops of water benefits this greatly and enhances all the notes into the stratosphere.
Al Higgins notes
Charred oak, roasted nuts, golden rum, syrup, vanilla, baked apples, dates and dried figs.
Palate
Brittle and oaky with a distinct note of charred oak. Lots of spice with touches of ginger, allspice, clove and nutmeg. Then some rich fruit notes of strawberries, caramelised oranges, tangerine and red apples.
Finish
Big notes of spice and charred oak with some wood tannins. Good length.
Overall
A modern-styled, young whiskey that has seen some very active oak. The wine casks have added some apparent maturity without too much red fruit. Not my favourite in the Silkie family but worth a try.
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