Adare Manor Very Rare Single Cask
A collaboration between two powerhouse luxury brands, Midleton Very Rare and Adare Manor. The single cask single Pot Still Irish whiskey was laid down to mature in an American bourbon barrel in January 1995 making this a 23 year old. The cask yielded 192 bottles with an ABV of 52.5%. Price €2,000.
Omar Fitzell Notes
Oceans of fruit with an instant hit of pear drop sweets. It’s like I’ve opened the big tub of them and the scent is rushing at me! Nice sweetness that does mellow to reveal a light spicy note.
Palate:
Fruit notes, floral notes, sweet notes…it’s like an explosion of flavours and senses. Layer upon layer of apples, honey, vanilla, apricot and some oaky spice. Very very slight dryness in there but only slightly. There’s something else knocking about in the background that I just can’t put my finger on (and it’s killing me not to recognise it!). Addition of water give a cut grass note that I didn’t get before.
Finish:
Medium to long, but closer to long. Lovely pot still spiciness that lingers with a lovely sweetness towards the end. The drop of water dulls down that spice, but the sweetness still shines through.
Overall:
A beautiful drop as would be expected from a hand-picked MVR Single Cask. It’s complex yet balanced with some nuances very hard to pick up while others rush your senses in a joyful way. Preferred it without water.
Al Higgins notes
Nose:
Very delicate and wispy. Some lemon/citrus elements, estery pear droparomas. Freshly sliced pineapple, green apple and a faint touch of UHU glue.
Palate:
Very nice! The spicy touch is a surprise. Lots of fruit, then some peppery, vibrant ginger, cinnamon, and chilli pepper.
Finish:
Hugely spicy and gingery! Like the standard MVR on steroids.
Overall:
This is an excellent whiskey, however the price is beyond most drinkers.
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