Waterford Organic Killone

Waterford Tasting, The Oak Barrel, Sydney, November 27th 2023, Whisky #3 Nose: Clean, crisp barley aromas with a buttery weight. A subtle fruity scent of pears and apples, along with the bready, yeasty notes typical of all Waterford whiskies. As expected from Waterford, the cask influence is understated and refined, almost imperceptible. Palate: The initial taste is dominated by creamy barley flavors that persist throughout, with only a hint of stone-fruits and orchard fruits appearing later. The texture is oily, rich, and satisfying. Similar to other Waterford whiskies, there's a chalky, peppery quality, but it's very subdued and gentle. Finish: Medium to long. Creamy cereals, baked rolls. This single-farm expression was produced in 2018 and bottled in 2023 for a special release during the distillery’s “Growers Gathering” event for their growers and suppliers. It was matured in new American and French oak. Production was limited to 600 bottles, none of which were intended for export. The tasting event I attended in Sydney on November 27th was led by the owner of Waterford, who was visiting Australia. I assume a few bottles were sent to Australia specifically for these tastings, or perhaps were acquired from local collectors. It is a very good whisky and a strong example of Waterford's philosophy – purity, production integrity, and innovation. It was my second favorite dram of the evening, rated just one percent lower than Knockroe Edition 1.1. I preferred the latter due to its slightly greater complexity and character derived from the wine cask influence. "Very Good": 87/100 (4.25 stars)