Knappogue Castle 16 Year Sherry Cask Finished

Amidst the abundance of excellent bourbon and scotch, Irish whiskey often occupies a secondary position in the spirits world. Even Japanese whiskey has gained more traction than Irish in recent times. Yet, certain Irish distilleries rival the finest producers in any category. Redbreast and the Spots are well-known. Knappogue Castle is their equal. Although not widely recognized, these producers continue to define the standard for single malt Irish whiskey. Their Special Barrel 12 was a key bottle in sparking my whiskey interest, so I was eager to explore their range and finally sample this 16 year old. A quick note: This and the standard 12 year have been increased from 40% to 43% ABV. This bottle is one of those. Nose: Strong sherry influence and nuttiness. It presents as walnut, plum, cranberry, strawberry jam, poundcake, dates, figs, and raisins. I also detect cereal, malt, apricot, and orange peel. A hint of shortbread cookie, but less pronounced than in many Irish whiskeys. There are some baking spices and black pepper, alongside the significant oak expected from KC. A robust aroma. Palate: Once again, a distinct sherry influence is present. The strawberry jam note is most prominent, accompanied by poundcake, fig, and date. Ripe plum and milk chocolate are now noticeable. The walnut note remains quite strong. I also perceive vanilla, apricot, cantaloupe, honeydew, green apple, malt, cereal, honey, and shortbread cookie. It's fruity and floral, and while the sherry is apparent, it doesn't dominate. Towards the end of the palate, bold oak and cinnamon spice emerge. Excellent. Finish: A classic sherry-cask conclusion. It's a blend of vanilla and chocolate cake, sweet red fruits, and orange citrus. As it fades, the oak and cinnamon reappear for a final impression. Moderately long, providing a superb closing for an outstanding whiskey. I remain consistently impressed by KC. While it might not offer the value of the 12, 12 SB, or 14, it is exceptional in its own right. I purchased this bottle when it was on sale for $80, down from $95. At the lower price, it's an obvious choice. At the higher price, I would hesitate, but it's still a reasonable purchase. My sole critique is that the aroma doesn't suggest a 16 year old. It's complex, but surprisingly youthful for its age. This minor issue is quickly resolved by the palate; this ranks among the top 5 best Irish whiskies I have sampled. Having now sampled the original core lineup (and the Special Barrel 12), I am considering either the 21 year old or the new wine cask releases. Regardless, I urge any admirer of Irish whiskey to try these. Another job well done by Knappogue Castle. A subsequent tasting revealed a couple of new notes (plum, etc.). I felt compelled to upgrade this to a 5/5 after comparing it with other elite Irish whiskies. It truly stands out for me. Simply magnificent.

Visual: Appears medium amber/gold. It's darker than the 12 and 14-year-olds, but given that they all use artificial coloring, I believe the distillery's coloring choices are more influential than the aging process. Thin to medium legs that slowly descend the glass. Nose: Exhibits nuttiness and graininess similar to the 14-year, but with added vanilla and spice. The additional two years in former bourbon casks seem to have had an impact (note that despite the name suggesting sherry cask, sherry casks are only used for the final six months of maturation). This certainly has a more bourbon-like aroma compared to its younger counterparts. Palate: Sweet and nutty, mirroring the nose, with undertones of grain and a touch of spice. The savory elements found in the 12 and 14-year-olds are less pronounced in the 16. Furthermore, all the flavors seem subdued compared to the 14-year (which I tasted concurrently), likely due to the lower 40% ABV. Like the 14-year, it offers a pleasant sweetness without being overwhelming. Finish: The finish is woody, slightly bitter, with a hint of almond. It has a medium length, and the warmth is surprisingly comparable to the 14-year despite the lower alcohol content. Empty glass: Smells of candied nuts. I prefer this over the 12-year-old, but it doesn't quite match the 14-year. It might be the superior spirit if it weren't diluted to 40% ABV, but I suppose that remains unknown. I'm awarding it four stars, similar to the 14-year, but it's a less intense four stars (perhaps an 84 compared to an 89).

This was the inaugural Irish whiskey I sampled at the festival, and it met expectations: it was smooth and creamy, yet possessed a pleasant flavor profile of vanilla, oak, and a touch of warmth. I'm grateful a friend recommended I get a taste before the VIP hour concluded. It's a quality malt, and I'm keen to explore more from this producer. Perhaps after our Scottish Distillery Tour, we can embark on an Irish one.

Review #7 of 12 from DC Whiskyfest 2018. My sampling was limited to 12 due to falling ill that afternoon, which affected my head and stomach significantly. I should have rested at the hotel but I wasn't going to waste the $350 I spent on VIP tickets by just trying my pillow! No scores will be assigned as I felt it wouldn't be fair. The aroma is dominated by heavy oak and bourbon characteristics, with notes of wine-like grapes, raisins, and dates. The palate is heavy on oak but enjoyable, with raisins and a rather dry profile. I was looking forward to tasting this but don't think I'll purchase a full bottle. It's good, though.

This is regrettably a step down from both the 12 and 14-year-old Twin Woods. It's simply not that impressive. The nose is particularly odd, as its peculiar mix of oak and raisins gives the misleading impression of a rye whiskey. The palate features more prominent notes of those raisins along with nuts. The body is dull and the finish disappointingly short. To sum up: mostly forgettable.

Unmatched smoothness, this ranks among the finest Irish whiskeys I've sampled. It's a bit expensive considering the Knappogue 14 is distinctive and excellent on its own for $30 less. The 16 is so enjoyable that you'll need self-control to make it last... try the Knap 12, then 14, then 16 to truly appreciate the progression or variation in Knappogue's respected line of Irish whiskeys.