Knappogue Castle 14 Year Twin Wood

This has long been a favorite of mine and was one of the spirits that initiated my journey into sipping. In fact, it's one of the bottles that motivated me to begin the research that would subsequently lead me to creating these reviews. So, it feels appropriate that I evaluate this now. I'll attempt to set aside my personal affection, though I make no guarantees. Nose: Classic apple notes. Fig and green grape. Plum. Shortbread cookie, honey, vanilla, and toffee. Raisin. Walnut and almond. Pecan. Orange. Black pepper. Perfumed and floral scents. Irish soda bread. Coconut. White pepper, clove, nutmeg, and oak. Palate: Apple varieties. More of the fig, raisin, and grape. Almond, walnut, and cashew. Caramel, toffee, and vanilla. Black pepper, clove, nutmeg, and oak. Additional notes of Irish soda bread. Banana. Coffee-flavored ice cream. Clove, nutmeg, black pepper, orange peel, and oak. Finish: Almond. Vanilla, toffee, and caramel. Brown sugar and shortbread cookie. Raisin and apple. Black pepper, clove, nutmeg, and oak. A medium-long finish. It's precisely as good as I recall. The combination of bourbon barrel and Oloroso sherry cask maturation provides the nutty and woody characteristics that enhance the softer, fruit-forward profile that the 12-year expression lacked. This merges all those elements, boosted to a 46% ABV, and I'm certain those two additional years in the barrel were beneficial. This has remained resistant to inflation. At $53, its price has increased by only $3 in nearly a decade in my local market. Some of the subpar products available have nearly doubled in price in half that time. As if its sheer quality weren't enough, the value it offers is unmatched. A rating of 4.75 out of 5. Exceptional work.

If your experience with Irish whiskey extends beyond the usual choices from Jameson and Bushmills, you'll immediately notice this as a familiar spirit in both aroma and taste. It has notes of cut apples, mashed grapes, and a hint of bitter chocolate powder, creating an interesting scent, as long as you don't inhale too deeply and catch the ethanol. The palate is much the same, but the burn is unavoidable here; it's rich, full, sweet, and smooth, then suddenly, bam! A burn. It's not a cask-strength burn or anything similar, but it certainly impacts the entire experience, as if I'm offended that something so smooth and sweet could abruptly turn hot and bitter. To me, it's more of an unrefined heat rather than the expected burn from alcohol. It feels like 14 years wasn't quite enough and it could have used a few more. That burn persists through the finish, which briefly returns with orchard sweetness before becoming tart like green apples and fading into a clean numbing sensation that lasts for several minutes. Also, note that time and air don't do it favors, diminishing the good flavors and amplifying the burn. It's certainly not bad, but it's also a bit disappointing because at $70, it's not really distinct from most Irish whiskeys in the $40 and up range.

Bought this for St. Patrick's Day after hearing great things from a couple of reviewers on their Tuesday show. Let's dive in. Nose - Orchard fruits, bubble gum, light malt and bread notes, a touch of red fruits, almost chocolatey, perhaps white chocolate. There's a scent resembling glue and icing in the background, transitioning to light toasted oak. Taste - Juicy fruit bubble gum shifts to tropical fruits. Vanilla and oak are present, along with sugary notes like a fast-food bun, and possibly some berries and cream. Finish - Pleasant toasted oak and a mild spice. Overall, for $56, you can't beat this, unless you opt for a specific Irish whiskey. Rating: 1.5. A bit below my usual purchases, but the value for the price is good. Ultimately, it's a bit unexciting, and it will be my standard pour until it's gone. I don't want to dwell on it, but I'm enjoying every glass enough to finish it. Updated rating to 2.0. It's a better, more refined whiskey than I initially thought. The hype and the price point negatively influenced my perception. However, I'm content with this as an affordable, very tasty bottle.

Appearance: Medium amber/gold hue with thin to medium legs that descend slowly down the glass. Bouquet: Candied almonds, hazelnuts, and pecans are the initial aromas, followed by honey and cereal, reminiscent of Honey Nut Cheerios. Citrus zest and apple juice also appear. Fortunately, the sharp sourness I detected in the 12-year-old is entirely absent here. Taste: Sweet and nutty, mirroring the nose, with some grain and a hint of spice. I notice a subtle savory note, similar to what I found in the 12-year, particularly when exhaling through my nose. The sweetness is pleasant, not excessive. Aftertaste: I concur with others who experienced a dry, oaky finish. The dryness and slight bitterness are not unpleasant. The finish is of moderate length and provides warmth without being overly harsh. Leftover aroma: Faintly nutty. Overall, I find this significantly more appealing than its 12-year-old predecessor. The nose is particularly pleasing, and the entire experience surpasses the 12-year. I believe the 14-year benefits from being bottled at 46% ABV rather than 40%. I would definitely purchase a bottle of this. Four stars.

Recalling my time in Ireland years ago as a young man, I remember living there for three years, meeting my wife, sharing living space with many people, and drinking plenty of Guinness. Back then, I also discovered that whiskey wasn't as bad as I thought, though it was highly diluted, not neat. It took another decade to develop a taste for it straight. Now, back in New Zealand, I'm trying a sample from a brand that didn't exist when I was there. In those days, there were only a few distilleries and limited brands. The variety now is amazing. As for the whiskey itself... is it any good? It's decent, but not on par with Redbreast or Yellow Spot. The mild bitterness noted in the 12-year expression is present here, not overwhelmingly, but enough to slightly overshadow and detract from the rest of the dram. The pot still character comes through, with vanilla, a touch of pepper, and a very subtle sherry influence. I'd rate it a 3.5, but couldn't quite give it a 4. It's not a bad value at just over $80 USD.

The taste profile is somewhat altered, yet my perception mirrors that of a previous tasting of Powers 12 year. It presents a delightful aroma and finish, but the mid-palate disappoints. Here, the nose offers freshly picked Granny Smith apples, exotic fruit, sugar cookies, and a floral hint. The palate is mainly vanilla with a touch of grassiness, feeling a bit thin. However, the finish redeems itself with fruit, caramel, and a pleasant oaky spice. The higher-than-usual alcohol content for an Irish whiskey is most appreciated in the finish. Generally acceptable, though I wish the palate had more depth. The finish consistently suggests a better quality than it is, but another sip brings back the palate's letdown. Still, likely a reasonable purchase at $50 for a 14-year-old single malt Irish whiskey bottled at 46%. Update: As the bottle nears empty, I'm upgrading my rating. It was consumed quite rapidly. A good Irish whiskey and a solid value.