Irishman Founders Reserve Caribbean Cask Finish
This limited release blend of single malt and single pot still (about 70:30) whiskeys has been triple distilled and after maturing in American oak bourbon barrels has been finished for 6 months in Chairman’s Reserve rum casks from St. Lucia. Bottled at 46% ABV and non-chill filtered. Limited to just 12 casks of about 380 bottles each. RRP €65.00.
Omar Fitzell Notes
Big hit of rum on the nose in the most pleasant of ways. Took me back to my honeymoon in the Dominican Republic where the all-inclusive rum selection was infinitely better than the whiskey selection! Malt comes in after the rum. Loads of apricots, red apple peel and pear. Addition of water dulls the rum unfortunately and enhances the malt for me.
Palate:
Soft silky mouth feel. Loads of tropical fruits such as pineapple, bananas and pears.
Finish:
Medium to long. The silky mouth feel gives way to a lovely prickly spice. Bit of melon and a honey sweetness in there. Very slight dryness towards the end but only very slight.
Overall:
A very well-balanced whiskey that allows both the whiskey and the rum finish to shine independently. I really enjoyed it but then again, who couldn’t with the base whiskey that is being used. The Irishman Founders Reserve is undoubtedly one of the best value whiskeys on the market at the moment in Ireland.
Al Higgins notes
Nose:
Very subtle and soft. White flowers, honey, marshmallow and a faint touch of golden rum.
Palate:
A wispy and delicate drop. Quite grain dominated and a little youthful tasting. Deliciously fruity and floral with touches of honey and citrus.
Finish:
It’s all over in a flash but I enjoyed the show while it lasted.
Overall:
A very sessionable whiskey with just a lick of rum cask influence.
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