Inish Turk Beg Maiden Voyage

Product of: Ireland (Eire)

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Inish Turk Beg means 'small island of the wild boar', and is a private island in Clew Bay, County Mayo, off the west coast of Ireland. Launched in November 2010, Maiden Voyage refers to the fact that this bottling of single malt whiskey, Distilled at Cooley on the mainland is aged on the island.

The whiskey is triple-distilled, initially matured for at least 10 years, mainly in ex bourbon barrels but blended with a small quantity of port- and sherry cask-matured whiskey before being finished in 13 Poitin casks for a undisclosed 'further period'. The whiskey is then reduced for bottling with local rainwater collected on the island.

This limited edition first bottling consists of 2,888 one-litre hand-blown bottles in the shape of mooring buoys, and each contains some island sand in the glass - as such, Inish Turk Beg claims to be deliberately subverting traditional whiskey presentations, and the look speaks volumes about its attempt to position this product as a contemporary liquor.

Review and Tasting

Sampled before 1st May 2011

Appearance:

Clear, pale gold and bright yellow flecks.

Aroma:

Nougat, almond and hazelnut shells, black cherry and warm apple pie complete with a dusting of cinnamon and a dollop of vanilla mascarpone.

Taste:

Huge but complex and well integrated, slightly honeyed palate with cinnamon spice, red apple and burnt salty butter.

Aftertaste:

Rich, brandy butter influenced lightly spicy finish.