Editor’s Note: This whiskey was provided to us as a review sample by Dingle. This in no way, per our editorial policies, influenced the final outcome of this review.
What do you do after helping pioneer the craft beer brewing industry in Ireland? Craft whiskey? Absolutely! That’s what the founders of the Porterhouse Brewing Company decided to do, taking on the three large whiskey distillers left in Ireland at the time.
As Ireland was coming out of its greatest recession in modern memory, Oliver Hughes, Liam Hart, and Peter Mosley quietly started up their craft whiskey distillery. In a tin shed in the town of Dingle, County Kerry, Ireland, on December 18th of 2012, the first Dingle Whiskey Casks were filled. On December 19th, 2015, the first cask was released; cask no. 2. And the Dingle Whiskey Distillery was now official.
It was very important to the founders that the focus be on quality over quantity. They state that they “understand and respect the concept” of distilling enormous quantities of ‘bland whiskey,’ as they put it, but that their passion for a well-crafted and flavorsome spirit can only be done in small quantities.
This current batch is their 4th. Batch No 3 was voted the ‘Best New Irish Whiskey’ at the Irish Whiskey awards in 2018 (along with awards for ‘Best Irish Gin’ and ‘Best Irish Whiskey Barrel Aged Craft Beer’). Sadly, Hughes was not able to see this happen, as he passed away in July of 2016 from an apparent heart attack.
In their desire to create a smooth and flavorful Irish whiskey, the Dingle Distillery uses three hand-crafted copper pot stills. Batch No 4 is then aged in a mix of bourbon, sherry, and port casks.
Tasting Notes: Dingle Single Malt Whiskey Batch No 4
Vital Stats: 93 proof (46.5% ABV). Triple distilled and aged in bourbon, sherry, and port casks. About $70 for a 700ML bottle.
Appearance: Very light and clear, slightly golden color.
Nose: A slight hint of vanilla, with a hint of the sherry.
Palate: Very smooth. The smokiness from the oak bourbon barrels is very evident, followed by a mix of honey and vanilla, with a touch of apricot.