Like the Tipperary Watershead, the Tipperary Knockmealdowns 10 Year Single Malt is put out by GRC Imports and sourced from an unknown distillery in Ireland. However, unlike the Watershead this one carries an age-statement which can help us narrow down the most likely suspect.
10 years ago there were really only four active distilleries in Ireland. Bushmills, Midleton (Jameson), Cooley and West Cork. This doesn’t taste anything like West Cork and they bottle most of it themselves. Jameson doesn’t really let much out that isn’t under their own brands and Cooley cut off contracts when they got bought by Beam. But that doesn’t mean these barrels didn’t sit in a warehouse somewhere and bought before the sale.
In a nut-shell the most likely sources of the Tipperary Knockmealdowns 10 Year Single Malt are Bushmills and Cooley. To me it tastes more like Cooley than Bushmills which we’ll get into more in the Tipperary Knockmealdowns 10 Year Single Malt review below.
Whiskey Review: Tipperary Knockmealdowns 10 Year Single Malt
In GRC’s Words: Tipperary Knockmealdowns 10 Year Single Malt
“The first of our Limited Edition Mountain Range, “The Knockmealdowns” is created from only 6 casks, matured in Ireland for 10 years in ex-bourbon barrels. The whiskey is cut to 47% with water from Ballindoney farm in Tipperary, owned by our co-founding family, the Ahearns.”
Tipperary Knockmealdowns 10 Year Single Malt price, ABV, age and other details
Region: Ireland
Distiller: Unknown
Bottler: GRC
Mash Bill: 100% Malted Barley
Cask: ex-Bourbon
Age: 10 years
ABV: 97%
Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color
Price: $85*
Tipperary Knockmealdowns 10 Year Single Malt Tasting Notes
EYE
Honey
NOSE
Fruit, earthy malt, honey, graham, vanilla, citrus and a light spice.
PALATE
Banana heavy fruit, earthy malt, honey, graham, spice, vanilla, nuts, toffee, dried fruit and some caramel.
FINISH
Medium -> Malt, honey, graham, vanilla and toffee.
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Good balance, full body and a lightly oily feel.
Tipperary Knockmealdowns 10 Year Single Malt Review – OVERALL
Not too bad… not too bad at all. The Tipperary Knockmealdowns 10 Year Single Malt carries an aroma that’s warm, earthy, malty and fruity and delivers a palate that rides the same path but with a touch of dark sweets and a uniting finish. It’s pleasant as can be and after giving it run through I’m thinking it’s Cooley.
I don’t typically get as much crispness or earthy undertones from Bushmills, though to be fair the majority of Bushmills is bottled at 40% and chill-filtered so it’s possible these characteristics are there but get stripped out and watered down. Either way, Bushmills or Cooley, the Tipperary Knockmealdowns 10 Year Single Malt is a tasty malt that’s worth at least a taste.
SCORE: 87/100 (B+)
*Disclosure: This Tipperary Knockmealdowns 10 Year Single Malt sample was graciously sent to me by the company for the purposes of this review. The views, opinions, and tasting notes are 100% my own.
