West Cork Distillers, said to be one of only two independent distilleries in Ireland, seems to have seen some success among American whiskey drinkers with its first offerings which were released here in recent years. To this end it is now importing two new bottlings, including a cask strength expression, to try its luck again.
The new Black Reserve and Barrel Proof whiskies, according to the distillery, are limited edition in nature (4,800 bottles of each) and price at $40 and $55, respectively. As part of these new expressions West Cork is also overhauling the labeling, which will now sport a logo illustrating the fusion of fishing and science – a nod to the founders’ roots.
The West Cork Barrel Proof was bottled at a nice 124 proof and is made up of a blended ratio that’s 33% malt and 66% grain whiskies. This blend, before bottling, was further matured in ex-bourbon casks for upwards of half a year. Official tasting notes for this release are as follows:
Color: Oak Brown
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Aroma: Malt, dried fruit and balanced sweetness
Taste: Spiritous, malt, dried fruit and orange peel
Finish: Lengthy finish consisting of dried fruit, almond and cracked nuts with lingering malt
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West Cork Black Reserve, meanwhile, was bottled at a much more mellow 86 proof. It is also a blend of Irish malt and grain whiskies which were then “polish matured” in lightly toasted, heavily charred #4 bourbon first fill casks for a further half a year. Official tasting notes for it indicate:
Color: Dark Mahogany Brown
Aroma: Malt, vanilla with lingering sweetness
Taste: Malt, pleasant and deep woodiness, slight spiciness and sweetness with vanilla
Finish: Lengthy finish consisting of malt, cracked pepper, vanilla and sweetness
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