Trader Joe's 15 Year Single Malt Irish Whiskey

I've waited a long time to taste and review an Irish whiskey from a grocery store chain. A new trading acquaintance from the southwestern US provided this opportunity: Trader Joe’s 15 Year Irish whiskey is widely thought to be made by Bushmills and then rebranded by the discount grocery store. I cannot buy any alcohol from these stores because Virginia has state-controlled liquor sales (Terrible). I can't get Trader Joe's, or Kirkland or Costco brands. I must trade for samples if I ever want to try them. This leads me to this 15-year-old whiskey from Trader Joe’s: it's believed to be from Bushmills and diluted to 40% alcohol by volume. I'm certain it's chill-filtered and likely has added color, which appears as a light and shiny caramel. Swirling it in your glass will create heavy drops and watery streaks. The scent is mainly butterscotch candies and honey, with some grassy and dried hay notes mixed in. Some floral qualities emerge along with typical oak barrel notes of vanilla. There's no harshness or indication of the reduced alcohol content, but it's certainly not dull. The taste offers orchard fruit and hints of Juicy Fruit gum and moderate amounts of toffee. It begins to resemble a smooth, post-dinner dessert with a warm and creamy mouthfeel before some citrus cuts through the end—in a good way. It balances the sweetness just in time. The finish stays rich and smooth, however, with soft and lingering fruitiness. In summary, it accurately represents a traditional Irish whiskey character. Smooth and creamy with gentle, fruit flavors. I believe the 15 years in an ex-bourbon cask, though perhaps not first-fill, has worked well here. I understand the price is in the low $30s, which is a good value. What it lacks in complexity, it certainly compensates for with its price. I think it would be improved with a slight increase in bottling strength, perhaps to 43%, but it's still quite good for the cost. I'd rate it 3.5 to 3.75 stars. Enjoy.

A note: My primary measure currently is whether a shot causes immediate heartburn. With that said, it definitely passes that test. Very smooth. Not excessively sweet – just a mild hint of cinnamon.

A delightful classic Irish pot still character, but the mouthfeel is somewhat diluted.

The flavor is substantial. It could be a bit stronger in proof, but for $35, it offers a fantastic taste.

Piquant.