The Glendalough Double Barrel Irish Whiskey is a single grain Irish whiskey that undergoes a unique two-stage maturation process, hence its name.
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.
-
Double Barrel Maturation:
- First Maturation: Aged for approximately 3.5 years in first-fill American oak ex-bourbon barrels. This imparts sweet notes like vanilla and caramel.
- Second Maturation (Finish): Finished for around 6 months in Spanish Oloroso sherry casks from Montilla, Spain. This adds a rich depth of dried fruit and nutty flavors, along with some spice.
- ABV: Typically bottled at 42% ABV.
- Non-Chill Filtered: While not always explicitly stated, many premium Irish whiskeys aim for minimal intervention.
Tasting Notes:
- Nose: Rich with dark fruit notes like cherry, raisin, and fig, along with hints of Christmas pudding. Floral notes, lemongrass, citrus, and a touch of nutmeg are also present. You might also find creamy malt, vanilla, white chocolate, and buttery fudge.
- Palate: Sweet and smooth with flavors of butterscotch, honey, and peppercorn. Dried fruit, maraschino cherries, and brown sugar come through, along with succulent caramel and a fruity underlay of blackberries and marmalade.
- Finish: Features ginger spices, a touch of almond, and earthiness. Polished oak and a hint of wood spice can also linger.
Overall Impression:
The Glendalough Double Barrel is a well-regarded single grain Irish whiskey that offers a delightful balance of sweetness from the bourbon barrels and rich, fruity, and slightly spicy notes from the Oloroso sherry cask finish. It's considered a smooth and easy-drinking whiskey with surprising complexity for its age and category.
Awards:
- Gold Medal: Irish Whiskey Awards (Single Grain) in 2017 and 2024.
- Gold Medal: New York International Spirits Competition in 2024.
- Double Gold: New York International Spirits Competition (Whiskey) in 2022.
- Gold Medal: Irish Whiskey Masters (Single Grain) in 2021 and 2023.
- Double Gold: San Francisco World Spirits Competition (Irish Single Grain) in 2015 and 2021.
- Gold Medal: San Francisco World Spirits Competition (Irish Single Grain) in 2017.
- Gold Medal: Irish Whiskey Awards (Grain) in 2015.
- Category Winner: World Whiskies Awards in 2022.
- Best Buy: Wine Enthusiast.
These awards highlight the consistent quality and appreciation for Glendalough Double Barrel Irish Whiskey.
