Whiskeys
Friend or Foe
Our second release ‘Friend or Foe’ is a single pot still whiskey. Launched to commemorate the centenary of Michael Collin’s death. A carefully selected first fill bourbon cask finished in blood tubs.
On the nose, there’s a blast of oak at the start but hidden behind it are waves of spices and fruit. Nutmeg and ground cloves and tart green apples or red berries which gives this drop an impressive profile. By adding a drop of water, the oak falls into the background allowing the fruit to come to the forefront. It’s sweetness flows up the nostrils, close your eyes and you’ll picture ripe juicy fruit freshly cut. The spice hasn’t left yet, but it’s altered slightly. Ground allspice and a hint of cinnamon.
On the palate, initially this flows over the mouth and tongue and coats the entirety with a warm syrup like texture. The flavour begins with oak and a vanilla background, where those first fill bourbon barrels show their colours. After a few seconds there’s a blast of intense spice that travels to the back of the throat, plenty of cloves and reminiscent of hot chilli’s. With a drop of water, the mouth feel is more subtle but still present.
The flavour profile changes, the blast of spice is replaced with fruit, apples and pears with a hint of green bell peppers. A bit unpleasant bitter quality as one finds in good dark chocolate. The spice lands later with the water, cinnamon and a kick of cayenne chilli. The finish, well to be honest it’s still going on. This whiskey leaves a lasting impression but more in sensation and texture than taste
Currently Stocked in : The Rob Roy Bar, Cook Street & The Joshua Tree, Blarney Street
Two Mayors
Two Mayors, our premier release is a commemorative collaboration to remember our fallen patriots Tomás MacCurtain & Terence McSwiney.
On the Nose: it’s rich and dense, there’s a butterscotch like sweetness similar to that of thick fresh shortbread biscuits. There’s sweet dried fruits like a mix soaked in booze to be baked in a Christmas cake. In the background there’s subtle malt notes along with a hint of nutmeg.
On the palate, on your first sip there’s a blast of intensity with overlapping flavours. Apricot, aniseed, toasted almonds, sultanas, raisins, malted barley, and cloves.
The mouth feel is subtle, it’s soft and gentle and barrelled out of the way by a blast of spice like a chilli pepper. A spice heat chases it’s way around the tongue and sits there well into the finish. A long lasting finish with flavours of bitter dark chocolate with a hint of orange peel. It’s pleasingly accompanied by that chilli pepper spice returning to blaze across the roof of your mouth for a few minutes.