Editor’s Note: This whiskey was provided to us a free sample to review by the party behind it. The Whiskey Wash, while appreciative of this, did keep full independent editorial control over this article.
The Quiet Man is a pair of labels of Irish whiskey from St. Louis-based beverage producer, importer, and marketer Luxco. This review concerns their 4-year-old blended Irish whiskey. The Quiet Man is also available as an 8-year-old Irish single malt. Both were first bottled in June, 2015. As of January 2016, Derry, Northern Ireland’s Niche Drinks has partnered with Luxco in order to make this duo of Irish whiskies available in the United States in addition to previously established markets in Germany, South Africa, Canada, and, of course, Ireland.
The whiskey is named in tribute to John Mulgrew, father of Niche Drinks co-owner and managing director Ciaran Mulgrew. The elder Mulgrew was a bartender with a reputation for keeping a secret. Both the original Gaelic and English translations of Mr. Mulgrew’s nickname appear on the label: “An Fear Ciuin,” and “The Quiet Man.”
For their part, the bulk of The Quiet Man’s influence over their own flavor profile comes in the maturation process. Distillation for the whiskies used in the current incarnations occurs in traditional Irish pot stills, though Luxco does not detail precisely where this is done or by whom. The whiskey is matured in oak barrels before being recasked in first-fill bourbon barrels.
Though the label itself bears no age statement, accompanying literature from Luxco describes The Quiet Man blend as being “aged four years” and having a “high malt percentage, compared to most blends.” The Quiet Man proudly lays claim to being the first Irish whiskey bottled in Derry, Northern Ireland in over a century. There are plans to break ground for a distillery in 2016, which will provide whiskies from which to continue producing The Quiet Man in house, though any of those releases are obviously a number of years away from hitting the market.
Tasting Notes:
Vital Stats: 40% ABV (80 proof), aged 4 years, mash bill features a “high malt percentage,” priced at $39.99 per 750 ml bottle.
Appearance: Bright, golden straw, medium legs.
Nose: Malted barley, candied fruit, oak, light amount of solvent.
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Palate: Quite sweet, notes of honey, vanilla, banana, velvety mouthfeel.
Finish: Quick and light burn, with an aftertaste of toffee and butterscotch candy.
Conclusion:
I find myself able to appreciate The Quiet Man for being exactly what it aims to be. The experience of drinking this whiskey is on the nose for what one expects from a younger Irish whiskey. Unable to cite the actual sources of the whiskies involved makes the reasoning for that merely speculation, but I would not be surprised if there are some quite recognizable labels making up this particular blend.
It is quite sweet, not overly complex, easy (almost too easy) to drink, and comes in a very attractive bottle. This would be a good dram to use to introduce a newcomer to the world of Irish whiskey without risking overwhelming anyone. However, it can be a little too safe and seems to lack a real solid note of intrigue to send me back to the bottle for another taste.
FINAL SCORE: 74/100
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