Kilbeggan Single Grain

Rating: 6/23 Kilbeggan Traditional was awful, and this seems like a low-end single grain. I'm worried, but I get the impression this is meant to be a step up from the Traditional, so I have some hope. Nose: Faint musty wood with cinnamon, ginger, black pepper, and a hint of allspice. Maybe a touch of vanilla, but not much fruit or anything else. I get perhaps some light pear, peach, and apple. Palate: The flavor is clean and light, somewhat like spring water with added sweetness, but there are also hints of spice. I definitely get cinnamon and ginger, along with a bit of numbing clove that helps to slightly mask the harshness. The sweetness is akin to white peach, but not rich enough to be delightful. Overall, this is a passable but bland palate that doesn't have clear flaws, aside from being rather harsh. The alcohol doesn't really show through much, though. I do get some grain with the alcohol, alongside faint hints of hay and minerals. It's much better than the Traditional's palate, but still far from enjoyable. Finish: The spices linger with the grain, and the alcohol comes forward a bit more. It's bitter, but nowhere near as much as the Traditional. Some harshness lingers as well. It isn't a finish I desperately need to wash out of my mouth, but I do kind of want a sip of water to relieve the burn. This is an improvement over Kilbeggan Traditional, but it still isn't very good. This is more in the ballpark of Pure Scot. I think I prefer Pure Scot slightly, though. I'm torn between a 6 and 7 for this, but considering the immense harshness, I think a 6 is most justified. Perhaps I even overrated the Traditional with the 5 I gave it and it deserves more of a 4, but Pure Scot seems a fair bit better than this, tragically. I'm not sure what else I should have expected from a young single grain, though. Right now, I'm most inclined to say a 5 for the Traditional and a 6 for this is fair.

It’s cheap and it has a little more punch than Jameson (being 86 proof rather than 80). Other than that it’s hardly on par, if not below par, for an Irish whiskey, even for the price. The flavors do not linger and almost seem artificial. Perhaps it could be used as a nice drink to pair with your dessert because while the flavors don’t linger, the ones that come through are heavier on the creamy honey side but lacking in spice, barrel woods, smoke, and fruit. Bought it to try something new on the cheap end, but won’t be buying again. Just spend an extra $5 and you’re enjoying a much more authentic yet cheap Irish in the Tyrconnell.

Nose of apple and pear. On the second sniff, a faint hint of spilled black ink and the last, fleeting drips from a gas pump. The flavor features more tree fruits: pear, red apple skins, apricot. Floral spice notes dance on the palate. There's a surprising burn for 86 proof. The finish has tobacco smoke and more of that inky quality. Adding water droplets gradually reduces the burn and brings out the apple skins. A tannic, puckering tartness that complements the citrus and spice well. A rather solid, budget-friendly Irish option.

Nose: Pears and apples mix with caramel and some malt. There's also cut grass, subtle honey, and coconut. Palate: Tastes like buttered biscuit with honey, toasted almond, and a little spice at the end. Finish: Lingering notes of oak and malt, with vanilla coming through and a slightly spicier sensation. Overall Thoughts: A solid whiskey. It's not a typical flavor profile but is definitely intriguing and well-made. It offers great quality for its relatively low price. I'm eager to try other Kilbeggan whiskeys soon; they clearly know their craft!

A surprising whiskey. The nose presented abundant vanilla and a sweetness reminiscent of Bourbon. It wasn't until a friend mentioned the mash bill was 94% corn that it made sense. It lacked the caramel notes typical of bourbon, but it was enjoyable. The finish is medium, with additional sweet vanilla and nutty flavors like nutmeg. This could easily become a go-to daily drink.

The best word for this is 'pleasant.' It's full of butter, caramel, corn sweetness, and creme brûlée. It's quite similar to a Canadian whisky, but less cloyingly sweet, and I don't expect it to cause the same harshness the next day as a cheap Canadian. Yes, 'pleasant' is the word.