Connemara 22 Year Peated Single Malt

Ireland's version of Islay. This 22-year-old comes from some of the initial barrels filled at Cooley Distillery and was aged solely in first-fill bourbon casks. It is the oldest in the Connemara lineup, known for its peatiness, which has mellowed over time in the cask to create a wonderfully balanced malt. It is currently the oldest age-stated core whiskey produced by any Irish distillery. Connemara 22 is unfiltered and uncolored. Nose: Light peaty smoke with prominent fruit notes – orange peel, pear, and pineapple. Taste: Full-bodied and smooth, featuring fresh fruit and vanilla, along with spicy elements. Finish: Fresh, with significant smoke from Connemara and fruit flavors derived from the ex-Bourbon barrels. (I based my review on published assessments.)

Nose: Honeydew, faint peat, a spritz of sea salt, hibiscus tea, honey, with baking spice notes noticeable. Palate: A surge of tropical fruits, honey, subtle yet aged wood, cinnamon, caramel. Finish: A long, oily finish with hints of faint peat, cinnamon spice, creamy caramel, and honey. The nose is quite subdued, though enjoyable. The peat is present, along with notes of honeydew and hibiscus, but other elements are difficult to detect. The palate is light and oily. It's not overly complex but is refined, offering the drinker waves of light peat, sweet honey notes, and cinnamon spice. The finish is surprisingly lengthy and is the standout aspect of the whiskey. It features lovely peat (still faint), sweet caramel and honey, and concludes with cinnamon spice and aged wood.

I typically find this type too thin to really taste, but this one is wonderfully composed. Gentle smoky peat and vanilla blend wonderfully. 4.

Enjoyed on June 28, 2022, at The Irish Times in Victoria, Canada. The whiskey was superb, with a peat level that wasn't overwhelming. I would certainly drink it again.

Very smoky, but in a good way. The mellow finish makes it easy to enjoy straight.

A great peaty whiskey from Ireland.