Midleton Very Rare Dair Ghaelach Whiskey Kilranelagh Wood Tree No 4 Irish 700ml

This release takes us to Kilranelagh Estate near Baltinglass, County Wicklow. Situated amid rolling hills and picturesque features, the native Irish woodland on the estate has been managed carefully and in tune with nature by one family, the Westerholt for many years. When their great Irish oak had reached the end of their life cycle and were ready to be felled so the new oak could grow in their place, they knew they wanted their legacy to live on—and Midleton Very Rare Master Distiller Kevin O’Gorman knew that he had the perfect whiskey which would bring new life to these relics of a time gone by through finishing in this Irish oak.  

Nosed and tasted every month, Master Distiller Kevin O’Gorman and Blender David McCabe kept a vigilant eye on the liquid. After two years spent maturing in these special virgin Irish oak casks from Kilranelagh Estate, the whiskey was deemed to have struck the perfect balance resulting in an exquisite experience.   

Tasting Notes:

Nose:

Forest notes of fresh pine accompanied by floral honey and ground pepper at first, while sweet and tropical fruits can be detected amongst the herbal green tea and freshly mown hay. The use of the native Irish oak lends itself to creating distinctive aromas of smoked almonds with sweet vanilla and cinnamon that are complimented by the pot still savory spices.

Taste:

Robust and lively at first with notes of dried chilli flakes and red bell peppers which quickly soften, allowing notes of candied orange and crisp red apple to shine through. The oak continues to deliver sweet vanilla and cinnamon spice throughout, while the pot still spices add a hearty and full-bodied nature to this complex and intricate whiskey.

Finish:

Wonderfully long finish which sees the pot still spices and oak linger, almost effortlessly, for an age.