The Irishman

The Irishman single malt has a somewhat “Irish” history. Bottled by ‘Walsh Whiskey‘ – the companies founders made their money selling Irish coffee in the European snow fields. Finding it difficult to source a whisky with a flavour profile to match their coffee, they sought out the services of the Irish Distillers company. Irish Distillers, a subsidiary of the global giant, Pernod Ricard and producer of Jameson, produced a single malt whisky with ex bourbon and Olorosso barrels with the right flavour profile for the Walsh’s Irish Coffee. Ironically the single malt whiskey’s popularity soon out stripped the whisky/ coffee blend, and was released as a single malt alone.

Distilled under contract in the Bushmills Distillery, The Irishman has gone from strength to strength collecting Gold at the International Spirit Challenge in London, San Francisco and Germany. The Walsh’s have now opened their own distillery in just this year, at Royal Oak in County Carlow, with their first release expected in 2019.

A delicate, subtle nose of Olorosso (think Sunraysia Sultana box) and Vanilla with hint of musk stick, gives way to a punch in the mouth of flavour. Immediate intensity of charred caramel, pork crackling and toasted crumpets. There is a lifted marmalade mid pallet, with a smooth, soft and drying finish.
The intensity of the initial taste, followed by the subtlety of the finish, leaves you wanting another taste. And another. And another. The urge for a second dram is irresistible.