Glendalough Madeira Cask Irish Whiskey

The Glendalough Madeira Cask Finish is a single grain Irish whiskey from the Glendalough Distillery.

Key Features:

• Irish Origin: Produced by Glendalough Distillery in County Wicklow, Ireland.
• Style: Single Grain Irish Whiskey. This means it’s made primarily from malted barley and corn and distilled in a Coffey still.
• Initial Maturation: Aged for over three years in first-fill American oak ex-bourbon barrels.
• Cask Finish: Finished in Madeira wine casks that are “canteiro aged” from off the coast of Africa. These casks previously held Madeira fortified wine and are known to impart intense aromas and flavors due to the heat and tropical climate where they aged.
• ABV: Typically bottled at 42% ABV.
• Single Cask Releases: Often released as part of their Single Cask series, highlighting the unique characteristics imparted by individual Madeira casks.

Tasting Notes:

• Nose: Rich yet light and inviting with notes of sultanas, exotic fruit (mango, pineapple), orange zest, and marmalade.
• Palate: Complex yet light and lively with flavors of cooked fruit, raisins, dark cherry, and plum. You can also expect vanilla, sweet grains, and a peppercorn spice.
• Finish: Complex and sweet, with lingering notes of dark stone fruit and oak spices, sometimes with a slight nuttiness.

Overall Impression:

The Glendalough Madeira Cask Finish offers a unique and flavorful take on Irish single grain whiskey. The Madeira cask finish imparts a delightful layer of sweetness and rich fruit notes that complement the underlying character of the spirit. It’s considered a well-balanced and approachable whiskey that showcases the innovative cask finishes Glendalough is known for.

Awards:

• Gold Medal: Meiningers International Spirits Award (Whiskey) in 2023 (for the Single Grain Madeira Cask Finish).