West Cork Black Cask

West Cork Black Cask

Official bottling 
Single malt - Munster
Dark bronze
40% ABV
Dram

Nose: Raisins, vanilla, molasses, orange peel, cocoa nibs, white pepper, honey. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, astringent, tingly. 
Tasting:  Bitter sour. Malted grains, brown paper, molasses, yoghurt, autumn leaves, cocoa nibs, sourdough bread, hints of green tea. 
Finish: Medium. Cocoa nibs, vanilla, molasses, white pepper, hints of autumn leaves. 

Comments: 

Earthy, bitter, with some yoghurty, lactic character. Slightly loose in body, could definitely have benefited from a higher ABV. It’s a blend, not a malt, so the flavours are a little softer.

Verdict:

I like this.

Glengarriff Series Peat Charred Cask Finish

Glengarriff Series Peat Charred Cask Finish

Official bottling
Single malt - Southern Ireland
Bright gold
43% ABV
Dram

Nose: Malted grains, oranges, raisins, tobacco leaf, hints of leather, hints of buttermilk. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, slippery, tingly.  
Tasting:  Sweet. Orange juice, tobacco leaf, menthol, fresh baked bread, leather. 
Finish: Medium. Menthol, fresh baked bread, buttermilk, vanilla. 

Comments: 

Irish whisky finished with wood harvested from Glengarriff forest - an interesting idea. This one is cereally, albeit light, with some interesting milky flavours and rather a lot of vanilla. The peat is very gentle, more leathery than anything else. 

Verdict:

I like this.

West Cork 12yo Rum Cask

West Cork 12yo Rum Cask

Official bottling
Single malt - Southern Ireland
Golden
43% ABV
Dram

Nose: Fresh baked bread, cream, marzipan, lemon juice, grass. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens slightly, slippery, tingly. 
Tasting:  Sour. Fresh baked bread, cream, lemon juice, vanilla, custard. 
Finish: Medium. Orange juice, cream, custard, hints of grass. 

Comments: 

This is strange, and reinforces that, to me, rum cask finishes can be a bit hit and miss. The underlying whisky is good, I've had a number of West Corks and enjoyed them. The rum cask has imparted notes of fresh baked bread and cream, which jars a bit on my palate.

Verdict:

Not bad.

West Cork 12yo Sherry Cask

West Cork 12yo Sherry Cask

Official bottling
Single malt - Southern Ireland
Pale lemon
43% ABV
Dram

Nose: Lemon juice, photocopy paper, strawberries, malted grains, hints of bananas. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, slippery, watery, airy. 
Tasting:  Sour sweet. Lemon juice, strawberries, malted grains, peaches, peanuts, hints of prunes. 
Finish: Short. Lemon juice, strawberries, limes, hints of peaches. 

Comments: 

This whisky didn't spend very long in that sherry cask! It's got lots of estery fruity notes, sure, even some red grapes, but it's tart, and fragrant, and light. It's not your usual Irish whisky, for sure.

Verdict:

I like this.

West Cork Single Malt Whiskey 10 yo

West Cork Single Malt Whiskey 10 yo

West Cork Distillers
Single malt - Southern Ireland
Golden
40% ABV
Dram

Nose: Raisins, blackcurrants, honey, dried apricots, cola nuts. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, thickens, slightly astringent, tingly. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Blackcurrants, honey, prunes, peanuts, chocolate, hints of pears. 
Finish: Short. Honey, dried apples, prunes, walnuts. 

Comments: 

A sourced single malt from the new(ish) West Cork Distillers, who hopefully will bottle their own spirit very soon. This flagship starter is fruity, jammy and sweet, with delicate honey notes that envelope everything. Thoroughly enjoyable.

Edit (17 April 2018): Well, this isn't sourced after all, it's made by West Cork themselves. Sorry.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Pogues Irish Whiskey

Pogues Irish Whiskey

Official bottling
Single blend - Southern Ireland
Amber
40% ABV
Dram

Nose: Brown paper, honey, orange peel, raisins, hints of bananas. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, loosens slightly, syrupy, slightly chewy. 
Tasting:  Sweet salty. Peanuts, honey, orange peel, olive oil, hints of lemon thyme. 
Finish: Short. Olive oil, lemon thyme, peanuts, hints of ginseng. 

Comments: 

A remarkable blend bottled for the Pogues, them of Rum, Sodomy and the Lash fame. It's honeyed, fruity and nutty, with a savoury tang on the tongue. Great mouthfeel too, heavy and unctuous. This is very, very drinkable indeed.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.