West Cork Bourbon Cask Irish Whiskey hails from the massively interesting West Cork distillery. A young distillery that got its start almost 14 years ago and has been slowly putting out more and more impressive releases. They’re a home-grown operation that brings something a bit new to the Irish whiskey game… transparency.
In West Cork’s Words: West Cork Bourbon Cask Irish Whiskey
“West Cork Irish Whiskey – Bourbon cask (40% abv/80 proof) – is a blended Irish whiskey containing 75% grain Irish whiskey & 25% malt Irish whiskey. Patiently matured in first fill bourbon casks to deliver a smooth, subtle and quintessential Irish whiskey.”
Seriously, I love how much I can get about these guys on their website, press releases, etc. I hope they keep it up as they continue to grow and expand. Information is a beautiful thing and in the end it helps us all. Now, on to the West Cork Bourbon Cask Irish Whiskey review.
West Cork Bourbon Cask Irish Whiskey Info
Region: Ireland
Distiller: West Cork
Blend: 75% Irish Single Grain Whiskey, 25% Irish Single Malt Whiskey
Cask: ex-Bourbon
Age: NAS (3+ years)
ABV: 40%
Price: $27
West Cork Bourbon Cask Irish Whiskey Review
EYE
Light copper
NOSE
Dried fruit, caramel taffy, honey candy, spice, pie crust, grain and a touch floral with some notes of vanilla and oak drifting through.
PALATE
Honied orchard fruit, caramel frosting, toasted grain and an earthy undertone with some bits of malt, vanilla and citrus.
FINISH
Medium fade of grain, caramel, spice and dried fruit.
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Ok balance, medium body and a soft easy feel.
OVERALL
West Cork Bourbon Cask Irish Whiskey is interesting but light across the senses. The darker notes matched up nicely with the lighter fruitier notes but it never fully came together in a fully cohesive or deep whiskey. The grainy notes are quite prevalent and I wouldn’t be surprised if this was any more than three years and a day in age.
Still, it’s not a bad whiskey. It wouldn’t be my first choice on the shelf for drinking neat on a regular basis, but it would be something I might snag for cocktails. It’d probably do quite well in a Tipperary, I could see the West Cork Bourbon Cask Irish Whiskey acting as a nice foil to the sweetness of the vermouth.
SCORE: 83/100 (B)
