The McConnell's 5 Year Sherry Cask Finished Irish Whisky is a distinguished expression from the revived McConnell's brand, building upon their 5-year-old blend with an additional maturation period in sherry casks.
Key Features:
- Irish Origin: Produced in Ireland and bottled by the Belfast Distillery Company. The initial distillate is sourced from the Great Northern Distillery.
- Blend: A blend of Irish malt and grain whiskies.
- Age Statement: Aged for a minimum of 5 years, with the initial maturation in ex-bourbon barrels.
- Cask Finish: Finished in Oloroso sherry casks.
- ABV: Typically bottled at 46% ABV.
- Non-Chill Filtered: Yes.
Tasting Notes (based on various sources):
- Nose: Presents rich aromas of dried figs and currants, followed by Christmas spices like nutmeg and cinnamon, dark chocolate, and a hint of fresh leather.
- Palate: Offers flavors of Demerara sugar, dark ripe cherries, and black raspberry, followed by bitter dark chocolate shavings and rich red apples.
- Finish: Lingering oak notes with a hint of leather and subtle clove spice.
Overall Impression:
McConnell's 5 Year Sherry Cask Finish is considered a well-crafted and flavorful Irish whiskey that benefits significantly from the sherry cask finishing. It offers a delightful combination of the underlying Irish spirit with the rich, fruity, and spicy notes imparted by the Oloroso sherry casks. It's often described as having a "Christmas cake in a glass" character due to the dried fruit and spice notes.
Awards:
- Winner: Irish Whiskey Awards 2024 (Blended - Age Statement).
- Winner: Irish Whiskey Awards 2023 (Blended - Age Statement).
- Master: The Spirits Business Irish Whiskey Masters 2023 (Blended - Premium).
- Gold: The DB & SB Spring Blind Tasting 2023.
- Gold: Irish Whiskey Masters 2022 (The Spirits Business).
- Silver: World Whiskies Awards 2023.
- Silver: London Spirits Competition 2023.
- Silver: International Spirits Challenge.
- Double Gold: Ascot Awards.
