Today we’re tackling an Irish Whiskey review, but not just any old Irish Whiskey: the Knappogue Castle Marchesi Di Barolo Cask. Which is the third release in Knappogue’s Cask Finish series. The first two being the Knappogue Château Pichon Baron release followed by the Knappogue Marco De Bartoli Marsala release, which was quite tasty.
It’s cool to see them trying new and different cask finishes we don’t see in the general market let alone the Irish Whiskey market. It’s also cool to see them name the actual source of the casks which is often, and oddly, a closely guarded secret by distilleries. It’s nice to be able to add some provenance to the casks and be able to track down some of the wine to try side-by-side if you’re so inspired.
Knappogue Castle Marchesi di Barolo Cask Review: Details and Tasting Notes
“…we look forward to presenting the Barolo cask, a very special whiskey. Given the tremendous feedback from the first two installments of our Cask Finish Series, we know Knappogue fans and whiskey enthusiasts alike will be very pleased with this release too.”
Details (price, mash bill, cask type, ABV, etc.)
Region: Ireland
Distiller: Undisclosed (Bushmills?)
Bottler: Knappogue Castle
Mash Bill: 100% Malted Barley
Cask: ex-Bourbon and ex-Marchesi di Barolo Cask
Age: 12 years
ABV: 46%
Non-Chill Filtered
Bottles: 1,200
Price: $80*
Tasting Notes
EYE
Amber
NOSE
Malt, toffee, woody sweetness, Smarties, Necco, tangerine-heavy complex fruit shifting from orchard to tropical to citrus, fresh-baked pastries, wine and a touch of nutmeg.
PALATE
Malt, tangerine-heavy complex fruit shifting from orchard to tropical to citrus, wine sweetness, Smarties, Necco, toffee, fresh-baked bread, oak and a touch of nutmeg.
FINISH
Medium -> Sunkist Fruit jellies, malt and spice.
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Good sense of balance, medium-full body and an oily feel.
Knappogue Castle Marchesi di Barolo Cask Review: Overall and Score
This is tasty stuff. Aroma is good, sweet and complex with baked goods and malty back notes adding depth and dimension; Palate carries more wine and tangerine qualities, but very similar to the Aroma; Finish is a quick but pleasant fade of fruit candy, malt and spice.
Lots to mull over as the Knappogue Castle Marchesi di Barolo Cask opens and rolls out. Each sip and sniff I find something new to enjoy and it had me scrambling to find a bottle locally. It’s going to be tough for anything to ever compete with that Knappogue Castle 1951, when it comes to being unique and interesting, but this makes a valiant delicious effort.
SCORE: 4.5/5
*Disclosure: The sample for this Irish Whiskey review was graciously sent to me by the company without obligation. The views, opinions, and tasting notes are 100% my own.
Knappogue Castle Marchesi di Barolo Cask $80
Overall
4.5- Nose (4.5)
- Palate (4.5)
- Finish (4.5)
- BBF (4.5)
User Review
0 (0 votes) Comments Rating 0 (0 reviews)Knappogue Castle Marchesi di Barolo Cask Review Summary
This is a FRUIT BOMB of a whiskey. It’s just wave after wave of elegant fruity note supported by more rustic baked goods and malty notes and sprinkled with some candy sweetness. Very nice sweet whiskey that steers clear of cloying and instead comes through as fresh and beautiful.
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