Celtic Cask Tríocha a Cúig (35) 1999 Oloroso Cask

This whiskey earned top honors at the 2021 Irish Whiskey Awards, not just in the best Single Cask category, but as the overall Irish Whiskey of the Year 2021, beating out 150 other whiskeys. The number 35 on the label doesn't signify a 35-year age statement; it was first aged in a bourbon cask for 18 years, then transferred in March 2018 to a solera sherry cask that previously held oloroso sherry for additional aging. The sherry's impact is quite pronounced, possibly too much so. The aroma presents a festive mix of mince pies, brandy, banana, fig, dark chocolate, and Christmas cake. The palate is heavily dominated by the sherry, offering dry, sweet, and tannic dark fruits reminiscent of tonic wine. At 53.25% abv, it's somewhat numbing and benefits significantly from a bit of water to temper its tannic and spirited character. As a judge at this year's Irish Whiskey Awards through a lottery, I tasted this whiskey blind alongside 34 others. My personal rating placed it 33rd out of the 35 I evaluated, which highlights how subjective taste can be or perhaps my own shortcomings in appreciating whiskey. It's likely a combination of both.

A potent and intense sherry bomb packed with dark fruits, spices, nuts, coffee, and a meaty character similar to Mortlach. However, I preferred the Celtic Cask 30. Aroma: Plums, raisins, dates, raspberries, blackberries, sour cherries, blood oranges, bananas, toffee, violets, milk chocolate, ginger, cinnamon, almond butter cookies, espresso. Flavor: Raisins, dark chocolate, espresso, dates, prunes, walnuts, hazelnuts, grilled pineapple, cloves, licorice, baking spices, figs, ginger, truffles, barbecue ribs. Finish: Raisins, dark chocolate, nutmeg, licorice, cinnamon, cloves, tobacco, leather, blood oranges, prunes, figs, mocha.

A good cask strength Irish whiskey. Some dilution is needed to fully appreciate the aroma. Flavorful.