Irish

Whiskey Review: Ballyhoo Irish Whiskey

We review Ballyhoo Irish Whiskey, a sourced Irish whiskey finished in ex-port casks that's been produced by a young distillery out of Ireland.

OVERALL RATING

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Tasting Notes

About:

This whiskey is 86 proof, with a mash bill of 93% French corn and 7% malted barley. It’s aged four years, with an additional three-to-six months in port casks. Available on the coasts and Illinois; expect to pay $30 for 750 mL.
Appearance:
Ballyhoo Irish Whiskey is very pale, the color of unoaked Chardonnay. It forms quick, medium legs on the glass. The bottle is a striking black with exclusively silver-foil print.
Nose:
The nose is restrained and subtle, with a first whiff of banana peel and heat. As it sits in the glass, a nutty, brown-sugar sweetness develops.
Palate:
This whiskey is very light bodied, and hotter than I would’ve expected given the ABV. The nose’s brown sugar comes across as grain sweetness. Both the mid-palate and the finish have a mushroom quality. It’s inoffensive yet unremarkable.
Finish:
Comments:
This whiskey would’ve benefitted from a bit longer in barrel – maybe in those port casks. I’m not sure what it tasted like before, but I don’t get a lot of port markers. It could be a good mixing workhorse though, for assertively flavored but straightforward cocktails like sours. rn

Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by The Whiskey Wash or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.

Cindy Capparelli

Cindy Capperelli is the visionary founder of Portland Bitters Project, established in 2014 with the ambition to craft the finest bitters available. Today, her bitters are savored across the United States and internationally, enhancing cocktails with expressive flavors. In addition to her entrepreneurial endeavors, Cindy shares her expertise as an instructor at two Portland colleges. She also engages with private groups, distilleries, and maker's spaces, advocating for the use of high-quality ingredients and time-honored techniques. Cindy empowers her students with the confidence and knowledge to create exceptional drinks at home, experiment with tinctures, and enrich their overall food and beverage experiences.

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