The Knappogue Castle Single Malt 12 Year Old is a distinguished Irish whiskey known for its smooth and approachable character. Here's a breakdown of its key features:
Key Features:
- Irish Origin: Produced in Ireland. The specific distillery was historically Bushmills, but production has since moved to other distilleries within the Irish whiskey landscape.
- Single Malt: Made exclusively from 100% malted barley.
- Age Statement: Aged for a minimum of 12 years.
- Maturation: Primarily matured in ex-bourbon oak casks.
- Triple Distilled: Following traditional Irish methods, it undergoes triple distillation in copper pot stills.
- ABV: Typically bottled at 43% ABV (86 proof), though some variations at 40% ABV exist.
- Non-Chill Filtered: While some sources don't explicitly state this for the 12-year-old, the brand emphasizes natural presentation in some of its other expressions.
Tasting Notes:
- Aroma: Rich and biscuity with notes of peppery spice, vanilla shortbread, cooked apples, and freshly baked bread. Some detect a signature Irish floral bouquet with hints of peaches and toffee.
- Palate: Mellow and well-balanced with a bright, elegant fruitiness (like fresh apples and pears) and mild spice flavors. Notes of vanilla custard, gentle oak spice, honey, and a touch of cut grass can also be found. Some describe it as light, sweet, and malty with a creamy texture.
- Finish: Medium in length, clean, and smooth. Lingering notes of orchard fruit, almond, vanilla, and a hint of spice can be present. Some find a touch of briny saltiness and a light bitterness of orange pith.
Overall Impression:
Knappogue Castle 12 Year Old is generally considered a well-crafted and approachable Irish single malt. Its bourbon cask maturation imparts classic vanilla and spice notes, while the triple distillation contributes to its smoothness. It's often recommended as a good introduction to Irish single malts and is enjoyable neat, on the rocks, or in cocktails.
Awards:
- Gold Medal: Irish Whiskey Awards (2023).
- Gold Medal: Irish Whiskey Masters (The Spirits Business) (2022, 2023).
- Gold Medal: IWSC Spirit Awards (2024).
- Rated 93 points by Wine Enthusiast.
- Rated 90.5/100 by The Rum Howler Blog.
- Gold Medal: San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
