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Irish Whiskey Review: Natterjack 'The Mistake'

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Irish Whiskey Review: Natterjack ‘The Mistake’

Natterjack The Mistake came about when the whiskey makers at Natterjack left Irish whiskey in 46 virgin oak casks for an additional year.

by Phil Dwyer
April 24, 2025

Phil Dwyer is a whisky enthusiast, YouTuber, and manager of The Whisky Shop Manchester, UK.

Tasting Notes:

About:

An art in classic Irish whiskey distillations with a focus on ageing in an American way. Natterjack is named so after a type of toad. Distinctive and set apart by the yellow line that runs across its body, it is the only toad species that is native to Ireland and is a perfect way to represent a brand that also stands out from the crowd. This release of The Mistake comes about from the brand leaving their whiskey in 46 virgin oak casks for an additional year. As a result you’ve got this remarkably oak influenced spirit that still has markers of it’s easy drinking genesis.

Appearance:

Sherry

Nose:

Hot honey, BBQ sweetness of spiced meat rubs, candy floss, bubble-gum, lemon oil, a slight touch of liquorice/absinthe and some notes of hickory and mesquite wood.

Palate:

Vanilla cheesecake, orange jellies, hickory wood, fizzy spiciness, toffee sauce, that hint of liquorice again and some fresh mint.

Finish:

Toasty, warming and packed with all of the flavours of the best summer day out you can imagine. This is what I would call a perfect hipflask whisky.

Comments:

This honestly reminds me of the old Jameson Gold Reserve. That bottle was all cheesecake and super richness, how I miss it. This is the closest thing I’ve come across that even gets near.

Virgin oak influences can be too much at times. It certainty is that way in Scottish whisky, many brands have tried to succeed with virgin oak influences and it can just make things become too much. However, Irish whiskeys have been much more successful in integrating those more intense oak influences to their products. This is a great example of how, even accidentally, you can let this type of wood really impact the spirit in a positive way.

I’m unsure of the mash-bill that goes into this whiskey, we can assume it’s the same base as the No. 1 blend, 80% corn and 20% malted barley, and bottled at 46% rather than 40%. This is pushing though those sweet spirit notes, with the corn taking control. That then feeds into these virgin oak casks pushing powerful flavours of both sweet and spicy.

Phil Dwyer

Phil Dwyer's passion for whisky is undeniable. With a decade of experience in whisky retail and nearly as long running Whisky Wednesday on YouTube, Phil is dedicated to sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm with fellow whisky lovers. His goal is to make whisky accessible and enjoyable, dispelling the jargon and complexity that can sometimes surround the spirit. In addition to his online presence, Phil manages The Whisky Shop Manchester, where he curates an impressive selection of some of the finest drams available.

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