Locke's 8 Year Single Malt

A Single Pot Still Irish whiskey from Cooley Distillery, Kilbeggan, Ireland. It's made from malted and unmalted barley, aged eight years in used ex-Bourbon barrels, and double distilled. Ten percent of the malt is peated. It begins with fruity barley malt, toasted oak, vanilla, and a touch of floral, citrus, and orange peel. Its mid-palate is sweet and woody, featuring barley, cereal, crisp oak, minerality, and citrus zest. The finish is brief and smooth, with notes of malt, oak, pepper, and honey. November 2018 / February 2019

I must confess I'd never even heard of this brand, but it's quite remarkable. It shares many similarities with another popular whisky, with honey being a dominant flavor. Sweet peach and ripe melon are also present. I don't detect peat, yet the finish is rich, though not as intense as the other mentioned whisky.

Pleasant peat aromas are prominent on the nose initially. This is followed by light citrus peel, caramel, oak notes, and a touch of vanilla. The peat continues through to the finish. Easily one of my preferred Irish Whiskeys to enjoy neat.

A strong blast of vanilla on the nose. Tasted with an ice cube, it presented significant spice first, followed by sweet notes and the faintest hint of smoke in the finish. While I wouldn't call it highly complex, it is very enjoyable.

On the initial taste, a hint of milk chocolate and peach, followed by peat. The sweetness doesn't harmonize well with the peat.

A solid Irish whiskey with a slight medicinal earthiness upfront. Likely won't pick up a bottle for myself.