Tasting Notes: Knappogue Castle 12 Year Old Irish Whiskey
Single malts don’t just come from Scotland
Historically, Knappogue Castle Irish whiskeys have been bottled according to the year of their distillation and labeled with a vintage date, similar to wine. But last year, in an effort to better reflect the age of their whiskeys, Knappogue Castle introduced an age statement –- in this case, a 12 year old bottling. While veteran Knappogue Castle drinkers might miss the subtle nuances between vintage bottles, this 12-year age statement promises consistency from bottle to bottle.
Most Irish whiskeys are blended, but Knappogue Castle 12 Year ($43) is a single malt, meaning that it’s composed of distillations from one producer at one site, and it’s made entirely from malted barley. Triple distilled in copper pot stills, the whiskey is a clean, pale gold color and incredibly smooth. Take a sip to taste lots of citrus fruit paired with rich malt, sweet honey and vanilla. The oak influences are very soft and mild on the palate, with just a hint of dryness and spice on the finish.
The Knappogue Castle is a great entry level whiskey for those new to the category. It’s bursting with flavor, but it’s a mild, everyday sipper devoid of any harsh grain notes or smokiness that may be off-putting to novice whiskey drinkers.
Buy Now: $43
