Glendalough 13 Year Single Malt

This is the first Irish whiskey to be finished in Japanese Mizunara oak casks. It first aged in American oak Bourbon barrels, creating a whiskey packed with citrus, honeycomb, apricot, and spice, with a bit of creaminess and vanilla from the Japanese oak. Ranked #18 in the World's Top 20 Whiskeys by Whisky Advocate in 2018. Smell: Vanilla ice cream, toffee, orange, pine. Taste: Quite nutty and chocolate, floral. Finish: Lingering notes of coffee bean and honey. (This review was built upon published notes.)

Overall quite pleasant, though a bit subdued. It can handle a good amount of water, which enhances its value. It takes a significant amount of time to open up, about 15-20 minutes. Nose: Sweet barley with a hint of musk sticks, light tropical fruit, and canned pineapple. Palate: Woody vanilla, apple mint, mild white pepper, and fresh cut grass. Development: White tea, dried mango, juniper berry, and spiced mead. Finish: Faint menthol, horseradish, herbal aniseed leaf. I acquired this for approximately $80 AUD on sale, making it a worthwhile purchase at that price, but there are superior malts available for $150.

Hard to pick out much on the nose, perhaps a hint of raisin. On the palate, I detect more raisin, green apples, and a citrusy finish. I do agree the finish is bitter. I do like the trend of 46% ABV Irish spirits.

Grainy with some fruit, plus a nutty and oaky taste that goes on too long. Adding water helps balance it slightly with earlier nuttiness and brings out more of a butter cookie flavor.

Mild in flavor, with distinct vanilla and oak. Also some sweet caramel. Darker notes of clove and pepper are present too. A bit too alcoholic tasting when compared to similar spirits.

Initially, the aroma suggested I wouldn't enjoy it, but I was mistaken. It's delightful, though it benefits from some water to reveal its full character.