Waterford Micro Cuvée: Hearth

The nose begins with a blend of chocolate, fruitcake, and a grassy funk, followed by a freshly opened bag of raisins, toasted walnuts, and a mild white pepper spice. It then moves to lemon zest, orange slices, and ruby red grapefruit, transitioning into ginger, cloves, and sourdough bread with a moderate alcohol burn. The taste has a thin to medium mouthfeel, starting with a mild sour and bitter funk, then dark chocolate cocoa powder-dusted prunes, toasted walnuts, and a mild Szechuan pepper. This is followed by lemongrass, orange blossoms, and ruby red grapefruit, transitioning into ginger, cloves, and charred sourdough bread with a moderate alcohol burn. The finish is medium in length with a moderate farmyard funk, chocolate-covered raisins, sour apple candy, ginger, cloves, and light ashy oak. The nose didn't start out promising with moderately sour fruits, bread, and funky barnyard notes, which doesn't improve on the taste with a mild sour and bitter funky start that stays in the sour realm with some chocolate and grassy notes before finishing with farmy funk, sour fruits, and light spices. I was really anticipating trying this one as I've heard positive things about Waterford, but this particular one just didn't meet expectations for me. I'd still be interested in trying some of their other products, but likely at a bar before committing to a full bottle purchase. A big thank you to a friend for the generous sample.

A rich and malty entry that exhibits sweetness and roundness on the palate. Warming, slightly spicy, and exquisitely flavorful, this is an Irish whiskey that embodies a playful spirit of Ireland. Wood, grain, water, and time all contribute to this expression. As the flavor unfolds, different notes emerge. Hints of baking spice, softly tannic oak, chewy barley, baked pear, apple tart, blackberry, and even cream. This is an excellent spirit to pair with a rich dessert or a creamy cheese. We continue to be impressed with the Waterford releases. They capture the independent spirit of Ireland.