Hinch Peated Single Malt
This peated single malt whiskey from Hinch is triple distilled and matured in Bourbon casks. Hinch just announced plans to open a distillery near Belfast in summer 2020. Bottled at 43% ABV and RRP of approximately of €40.
Omar Fitzell Notes
Nose
Smokey and salty nose that shouts hickory smoked bacon.
Palate
Oily. Smoked salmon, sea salt and bacon fries with a black peppery note that gives a kick.
Finish
Herbal note arrives here that I didn’t get before. That slight peppery note lingers nicely in a finish that is slightly longer than what I would consider medium.
Overall
This is obviously a young malt but let’s not forget, Octomore is a young malt. Peated malts can get away with being younger and I think this has struck a nice balance. Now this ain’t no Octomore, but it’s a really good, easy to drink, peated single malt. I am partial to a good smokey peated dram and you know what? I’m buying a bottle of this.
Al Higgins notes
Nose
Somewhere between Campbeltown and Islay if you were to ask me to taste this blind. However, there is a fruitiness that hints at the island of Ireland. Some Springbank-esque marshmallow and exotic fruit with an ever present sweet peat smoke. Based on the nose this is very promising.
Palate
The smokiness vs fruit balance is perfect. Flavours of orchard fruits, green tropical fruits, marshmallows, orange oil and lemon meringue. Underneath it all there is that persistent peat smoke. There are some slight flaws (some rubber/astringency) but these are easy to ignore and are most likely related to the youthfulness of the whiskey.
Overall
For the smoke chasers this is really worth seeking out. This may be very young and sourced from another distillery, but it is hugely enjoyable. Hopefully the other releases from Hinch are of this standard.
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