Last month, Knappogue Castle announced the release of its new 14 Year Old Twin Wood Irish Whiskey. The new single malt whiskey derives its Twin Wood name from the fact that it’s a combination of whiskeys aged in bourbon barrels and Oloroso Sherry casks.
However, while previous Twin Wood expressions were initially aged in bourbon barrels before moving to sherry casks, the 14 Year version is a vatted blend. Meaning that it’s composed of whiskeys aged separately, and then blended before bottling. That said, we’ve obtained an investigative sample, so let’s crack it open to see what’s inside.
The Knappogue Castle 14 Year Twin Wood pours a straw-hued gold in the glass, and has aromas of vanilla, coconut and barley. Drink up and you’ll find lots of fruit — green apples, pears and citrus — plus a bit more vanilla and some caramel from those bourbon barrels. Spice notes and honey come through toward the end, and it finishes smooth and dry. All in all, it’s a flavorful Irish whiskey and one that offers far more flavor and complexity than some of the more ubiquitous Irish brands on store shelves.
It’s certainly worth sampling for yourself, but don’t delay. It’s a limited release, so it won’t be around for long. Currently, it’s available in about a dozen states and through several online retailers.
Stats:
– 46% Alcohol by Volume
– $60
CE Rating: ★★★★
