Killowen Dalriadan part 1

The Dalriadan is a blend of 40% double-distilled peated malt from the Caol Ila Distillery, aged entirely in ex-bourbon Hogsheads, and 60% 11-year-old malt from County Antrim, Northern Ireland (most likely Bushmills). It was then finished for three years in Oloroso butts before being bottled at 57.5%. The aroma starts with a mix of bacon-wrapped dates, soft powdered sugar-covered citrus fruits, and a light sea breeze, then a creamy vanilla pudding, followed by tangy barbecue-sauced short ribs, stewed apples, orange blossom, and champagne, transitioning to ginger, cloves, and charred sourdough bread with a high ethanol burn. The taste has a rich and creamy mouthfeel, starting with a mild bitter spice that quickly fades to a mix of grilled shrimp, soft powdered sugar-covered citrus fruits, and a light sea salt, then a creamy vanilla pudding and chocolate-covered figs, followed by tangy barbecue-sauced short ribs, apple tart, orange blossom, and brut champagne, transitioning to ginger, cloves, and charred sourdough bread with a high ethanol burn. The finish is long with tangy barbecue-sauced short ribs, baked stuffed clams, creamy orange gelato, dark chocolate-covered raisins, and charred sourdough bread. Wow, what an incredible combination of Islay and Ireland, bringing bold flavors of barbecued meats, seafood, citrus, and bready notes with near-perfect balance, but a slight bitterness and sourness from the younger spirit prevent it from being perfect. Still, this is a hell of a whisky that shows a lot of promise for what Killowen is capable of, and a huge thank you to a friend for sharing this treat with me.

This is genuinely good. And my enjoyment isn't just because I haven't had a drink in three weeks – a few recent orthodontic procedures required me to abstain from whiskey. I typically only have one pour per week anyway. I tried a small serving of this and was truly impressed. This is an 11-year-old Caol Ila, matured in a bourbon cask, blended with an 11-year-old Bushmills at a 40/60 ratio, and then rested further in an Oloroso cask (duration unknown). The nose offers fresh lemon and a hint of smoke. However, the palate bursts with smoke and sweet mangoes and apricots. The smoke has a cigar-like, ashy quality. But the balance between the sweet fruits and smoke is remarkable. I only had a small 3cl sample, but I will be searching for a bottle, although it seems difficult to find. Highly recommended if you can locate a bottle.