Lambay is an independent bottler located in Ireland who sources whiskey and finishes it in ex-Cognac casks from Maison Camus. But that's not all there is to the Lambay Cognac Finished Single Malt Irish Whiskey. Sourcing the whiskey and the casks is just part of the story.
Once they get the whiskey (guessing Bushmills from their clues) and put it in the Cognac casks the finishing whiskey is exposed to the air and wind whipping up the island of Lambay. It's another factor that adds to the uniqueness of this whiskey. But the question... just how unique is it? We'll answer that in the Single Malt Irish Whiskey review below.
Lambay Cognac Finished Single Malt Irish Whiskey Review: Details and Tasting Notes
Lambay Single Malt is a triple distilled malt whiskey crafted with Lambay Island Trinity Well water. It is finished in selected Cognac casks that have been exposed to the sea air on Lambay Island.
Lambay Cognac Finished Single Malt Irish Whiskey Review: Details (price, mash bill, cask type, ABV, etc.)
Region: Ireland
Distiller: Unknown (guessing Bushmills)
Bottler: Lambay Whiskey
Mash Bill: 100% Malted Barley
Cask: ex-Bourbon & ex-Cognac
Age: NAS (3+ years)
ABV: 40%
Price: $50
Lambay Cognac Finished Single Malt Irish Whiskey Review: Tasting Notes
NOSE
Honey, pears, Grape nuts, fruit leather, malt, honey and some grapey sweetness.
PALATE
Toffee, white chocolate, malt, honey, grain, orchard fruit and some dark fruit leather.
FINISH
Med-Long -> Soft and sweet candy, malt, vanilla, Cheerios and fruit.
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Good sense of balance, medium body and a slightly oily feel.
Lambay Cognac Finished Single Malt Irish Whiskey Review: Overall and Score
Lambay Cognac Finished Single Malt Irish Whiskey is a tasty whiskey with a lot to offer but isn't super deep or complex. It has a pleasantly fruity and malty aroma with some whiffs of grape sweetness. The palate moves along in the same fashion with a bit more maltiness to it. The finish is strangely complex and interesting.
This should be setting the standard for the base of single malt Irish. This is the minimum quality that should be looked to and leveraged. I know it's sourced and likely on the young side, but it comes across elegant and delicious. It's something I'm going to enjoy sipping over and over again.
SCORE: 83/100 (B)
