While Australia doesn’t have a public holiday to celebrate the ol’ St Patrick, we’re still allowed to celebrate it as best we can and there’s no better way than enjoying some of the finest Irish whiskeys.
Whisky Loot, premium whisky subscription service and distributor, sent ManSpace their limited-edition Irish Whiskey Tasting Pack, a collection which is outfitted with three incredible Irish-based spirits.
The first spirit was the Midleton Distillery Redbreast Lustau Edition, aged between nine and 12 years finished for one year in Oloroso sherry butts.
Heading into this drop, my Irish colleague (let’s call her the resident Irish expert) was most excited to see the Midleton Distillery included in the package. I now know why, the spirit was very interesting, nutty and fruity initially which evolved rich fruit cake notes.
As the handy included tasting notes from Whisky Loot describes it, it finishes with: “freshy baked apple crumble which envelopes the air in your mouth. Sweet sherry and cinnamon spice notes slowly dry out the tongue during the long finish.”
Amazing.
Next up is the Hibernia Distillers Hyde Six-Year-Old President’s Cask. With a limited run of only 5,000 bottles, I’m pleased to be part of the few who got a taste of this drop.
It comes out of a rum barrel with no chill filtration resulting in a complex, oily drop. Whisky Loot writes that you can recognise rich tropical fruits, vanilla cream and strong wood spices in this bottle.
Again, spot on there but one thing I missed completely from the tasting notes is the zesty lime and orange peel notes. If any of it escapes this wonderful Irish holiday, I’ll be sure to keep a look out for it.
One of the best parts about the collection is that it is a collection. To be honest, the Hibernia whiskey was my least favourite, but coming in a pack of three bespoke bottles, I get the luxury of trying out bits here or there, if something really hits, it finds a home on my shopping list for the week.
Speaking of really hitting, the third and final drop was the Kinahan’s Distillery Ten-Year-Old Single Malt, coming from Kinahan’s, one of he oldest Irish whiskey brands that has recently been revived.
Much clearer than its friends in the white and gold box, it has faint notes of allspice and dark chocolate to finish and as Whisky Loot put it, it’s one of the best single malts to come out of the Irish distilling revival.
However you’re celebrating St Paddy’s Day this year (or next), give Whisky Loot a look and while you’re there, check out their range of premium whisky’s in either one-off packs or through their tailored subscription service.
