Tyrconnell 16yo Oloroso and Moscatel Single Malt
A limited release from the Kilbeggan Distilling Company, this single malt has been aged for 16 years in American White Oak ex-bourbon barrels and then further matured in wine casks from the Andalucia region of Southern Spain, which were initially seasoned with Oloroso sherry before a second seasoning with Moscatel wine. Bottled at 46% ABV and retailing for around €95.
Omar Fitzell Notes
Simply wonderful. Only a slightly malty nose. Sweetness in there but also a floral burst mixed with citrus zest. Sherry notes are very subtle.
Palate:
Opens with great oily mouth coating that explodes on sweetness, fruitless and malt. Vanilla with some of the citrus from the nose carrying through in the form of grapefruit.
Finish:
Here the cereal malt notes take a back seat and the fruitiness takes over. Mango in abundance along with dried fruits such as raisins and sultanas.
Overall:
The original Tyrconnell 16 was a massive favourite of mine and this is a very close second. Many layers create a fairly complex malt that gives so much to your palate, so much to enjoy and savour.
Al Higgins notes
Nose:
Oh, this is very interesting already! Intensely fruity and candied. Like walking into a sweet shop or into an Asian fruit shop filled with pineapples, coriander and mangoes. Let’s see what follows…
Palate:
Love Moscatel matured whiskeys. This is a real fruit bomb. Boiled sweets, white grapes, lychees, rose water, tangerine and pineapple. Sweet, luscious and impeccably well balanced.
Finish:
Unfortunately, yes, it does, but what a ride! This whiskey is pure enjoyment.
Overall:
The full-on fruit flavours might be a bit of a one trick pony and might not be to everyone’s liking. However, it is one of my favourite whiskey of the last few years.
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