Stone Breaker Blended Whiskey

This is quite good. It's a mix of Irish whiskey from John Teeling's inventory and a whiskey made in the Irish style by Michael Shannon (Restless Spirits, Kansas City, MO). The aroma presents honey, mature orchard fruit, vanilla, and a subtle floral hint. It feels exceptionally smooth on the palate, almost slick. The tastes suggested by the scent harmonize nicely on the tongue and leave a pleasant, lasting impression. A mild warmth appears upon swallowing, as expected for its alcohol content. Adding a few drops of water eliminates the warmth, but diminishes the flavor's intensity, though it remains quite pleasant and velvety. Michael Shannon expresses pride in his Irish ancestry, and Stone Breaker is dedicated to celebrating the diligent efforts of those who preceded him. Examine the label on the bottle shown here closely; enlarge it if possible. It replicates the immigration paper from 1853 belonging to Michael Shannon's great-great-great-grandfather. Purchasing a bottle of this delightful spirit is worthwhile solely for the opportunity to view that document. For context, the bottle I'm tasting was acquired more than two years ago and is from batch 7, bottle 41. I had hesitated to open this particular bottle because the Shannons had autographed it for me. I trust they would encourage me to savor it, and I can still retain the bottle. Additionally, Restless Spirits now offers their own single malt named Gullytown, which is youthful but very enjoyable. (Gullytown is an older moniker for Kansas City, derived from the fact that numerous early inhabitants resided in the ravines along the riverbanks, with some even excavating dwellings into the bluffs.)

The aroma is pure Maple, intensely sweet. On the tongue, water truly transforms this spirit. It begins with a syrupy sweetness, reminiscent of Maple Corn, then swiftly shifts to a potent peat flavor with a barely perceptible warmth. The conclusion is quite brief. Overall, a decent whiskey. It's straightforward, lacking significant depth.

Quite delightful... mellow, with a subtle vanilla and a maltier sweetness, likely from the American blend.

Excellent American whiskey. Reminiscent of Speyside Scotch. A little rough, but not in a negative way.

A welcome surprise. Corn and maple notes, resembling a bourbon, yet it's a very pleasant mixture.

I am thoroughly enjoying this. The aroma features maple syrup. It's sweet and smooth.