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.
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.
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.
Phil Dwyer is a freelance whisky writer and consultant. 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 managed The Whisky Shop Manchester, where he curated an impressive selection of some of the finest drams available.
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