Clontarf Reserve

[Jono]

Just opened this bottle...my limited note remarks:

80 Proof

Neat

Color...very light pee yellow.

Nose...light, typical Irish presentation...a bit of honey, nail polish - grain component.

Taste...yum...a nice smooth, mouth with sweetness on the finish.

Trying to detect "charcoal mellowing"....maybe the mild roundness in the mouth.

Finish...gentle as an Irish rain.

This is not to me a complex whisky...but it is a pleasant, very smooth drinking whiskey...somewhat reminiscent of some Canadian whiskeys except it does not have as much of that "formaldehyde" note I associate with Canadian.

Since Clontarf whiskies are geared at the 20-30 somethings it will be a nice gateway choice for Irish whiskey.

[The Boozer]

Juno

Most Irish whiskey tends to be "light" becaused there is no "peat smoke" drying of the malt grain. Also, most Irish whiskey is triple distilled further smoothing out the whiskey. Good tasting notes. I like Clontraf along with Powers Gold. Nice easying sipping whiskey

TJ

[Jono]

I know that about Irish, but I am still amazed with a 12 yeard old...such as Tullamore Dew that is still fairly light....I find the same with Canadians...the Alberta 25...all those years in the barrel and I don't find that much change in color and wood contribution...compared to bourbon...where after several years is definitely sporting the barrel notes....1st use issue maybe..vs used.

[The Boozer]

I know that about Irish, but I am still amazed with a 12 yeard old...such as Tullamore Dew that is still fairly light....I find the same with Canadians...the Alberta 25...all those years in the barrel and I don't find that much change in color and wood contribution...compared to bourbon...where after several years is definitely sporting the barrel notes....1st use issue maybe..vs used.

[boss302]

I know that about Irish, but I am still amazed with a 12 yeard old...such as Tullamore Dew that is still fairly light....I find the same with Canadians...the Alberta 25...all those years in the barrel and I don't find that much change in color and wood contribution...compared to bourbon...where after several years is definitely sporting the barrel notes....1st use issue maybe..vs used.

Hi Jono,

Thanks for the tasting notes. Sounds like a good, everyday, summertime "go to" dram.

Yeah, about the Celtic whiskies, they typically use oak barrels from Bourbon distillers that have been used at least once. There are a few exceptions, mostly whiskies that use the words "New Oak" on their label. Glenmorangie, for example, matures their spirit in both new oak and 1st refill bourbon casks.

Secondly, you also have to take into account that Ireland and Scotland (Scotland especially) have a much cooler climate than Kentucky, USA. Because of this, the pores of the barrels do not open as widely as they do in the bourbon warehouses.

Adding to that is the fact that the warehouses in Ireland and Scotland that are used to mature spirits are often single-story and built of stone, thus compounding the slower maturation. Most bourbon warehouses are multiple stories, with the spirits at the top aging very quickly.

[The Boozer]

Jono, enjoying a Clontrif Blend tonight. Very nice, lots of sweet but not sugary.

TJ