The Irishman 12 Year Single Malt

What a treat this whiskey is! I had to find it online because the Pennsylvania Liquor stores were out of stock (shout out to Remedy Liquors). I recently uncorked it after a seafood feast, of all coincidences, and we shared it for tasting alongside open bottles of Slaughter House and my personal favorite, Lagavulin Distillers Edition. I was aiming to offer some diversity, you know, for those who appreciate it. The sweetness and incredible drinkability of this spirit were a welcome surprise to my taste buds, and everyone who tried it enjoyed The Irishman 12. It's now another yearly favorite for my collection. Heaven help me! If I make it another 25 years, I'll be 90, and who knows what condition my liver will be in then? And frankly, who cares? marked 6000/2014 8/31/18 - I'm truly tasting this today for the first time since the crabs and Old Bay seasoning. I envy the refined senses of many esteemed individuals on this forum. But alas, I have my own. The aroma from the bottle suggests sweet American Bourbons more than anything else... but I detect no strong woody notes. The swirl in the glass produces thin, sparse legs, which upon tasting confirms my impression of a 'light' spirit with a less substantial mouthfeel. All the memorable character seems to emerge during the tasting, particularly if you let it linger on the tongue, which is mostly smooth and sweet with a distinct cedar wood quality. Some of this reminds me of I. W. Harper 15yr., which I find considerably more robust. For me, the finish isn't very long, prompting me to raise the glass again, which contributes to the easy drinking mentioned earlier. It's 86 proof, yet you feel like you could consume it all in a single day and remain steady on your feet. I don't think I'll lower the score because every whiskey possesses its own value for numerous reasons. Pure, effortless drinking is the standout feature for me with this one... and as we all know, there are moments when that satisfying quality is truly sought after.

A well-balanced Single Malt Irish Whiskey from Walsh Whiskey Distillery, triple distilled and aged for 12 years in a mix of ex-Bourbon and ex-Sherry casks, with an annual production of only 6,000 bottles. It begins delicately with notes of milk chocolate, fried banana, a soft cider funkiness, vanilla, cinnamon, autumn fruits, and granola; the mid-palate introduces black pepper, oatmeal, custard-filled doughnuts, subtle hints of tobacco, dates, and hazelnut cream; leading to a long finish with notes of fudge, cream, floral barley, black pepper, and apple chips. December 2018 / January / March 2019 / September 2022

This whisky's powerful fragrance was noticeable from a distance, with notes of ripe apple, honey, malted grain, and white pepper on the nose. The palate was full and round, offering a light sweetness with vanilla-tinged wort bread, Sauternes, lemon zest, apple, a hint of spice and salt, and a very slight bitterness at the end. A really pleasant and easygoing dram to finish the weekend.

The nose presents white chocolate with some leafy notes, very pleasant and not overpowering. The palate is a bit lighter than expected but continues the white chocolate impression, with distinct peach notes as well. Sweet toffee. The finish resolves into espresso with dark chocolate and a hint of smoke. I genuinely enjoy this, it functions as a perfect after-dinner drink, concluding a meal nicely with something smooth, slightly sweet, and coffee-like.

Nose: Well-rounded aromas of cocoa, maple, a bit of dark fruit and barrel char. Palate: Peaches and cream. Later there is mint, pepper, and some astringent fruit notes like honeydew melon. Like a bright vibrant summer salad but not overly sweet. Medium finish. The peach and pepper linger. This is the best Irish whisky I've encountered. One that defies Irish whisky's secondary status to Scotland's single malts. This will now have a permanent place on my shelf.

Nose: Aromas of fresh bourbon barrels, cinnamon, or cloves, and freshly baked cake. It becomes fresher, like a walk through apple orchards with juicy pears and fields of freshly cut hay. Taste: The fresh bourbon barrels continue. Fruity, with lots of vanilla and spices. Perhaps some fig and cassis. Darker notes like dark chocolate, fudge, and an oaky finish.