The Tyrconnell Single Malt Irish Whiskey

Product of: Ireland (Eire)

See more Single malt Irish whiskey

A pot still single malt whiskey (3-4 year-old) launched by the then newly formed Cooley Distillery in 1993. Although a new whiskey from a new distillery, the brand was an old one, originally from the defunct Andrew A. Watt distillery in Derry which closed in 1925 after 163 years of distilling.

In the north-west of Ireland lies an ancient Gaelic kingdom called the Tyrconnell, a name that translates as ‘land of O’Donnell’. (The O’Donnells were, prior to colonisation, one of the most powerful Gaelic families.) It was here that the Andrew A. Watt distillery was established in 1762. This whiskeys name came about after members of the Watt family entered a horse named ‘The Tyrconnell’ into an Irish Classic horse race, ‘The Queen Victoria Plate’. The horse won at odds of 100 to one, a feat which entered racing folklore and led to the re-labelling of their flagship whiskey to celebrate the event.

Review and Tasting

Sampled on 04/08/2012

Appearance:

Clear, mid golden amber with polished golden glints.

Aroma:

Lemon zest, icing sugar and green apple skin with vanilla and buttery almond croissant.

Taste:

Honeyed yet robust and lightly spiced with lemony citrus, vanilla and plenty of spice.

Aftertaste:

Vanilla oak and enlivening spice.