We’ve welcomed Connemara Turf Mór a couple of weeks ago. In the same small batch series, there was a predecessor called Connemara Sherry finish. It comprises whiskey aged between five and fifteen years, with a second maturation in ex-sherry wood for approximately 18 months.
Connemara Sherry finish
(40%, OB 2009, 10.000 btl.)
Connemara Sherry finish Nose: smokey but not (heavily) peated. Hints of red candy, berries and raisins. Not classic sherry though, rather a vague sweetness. Something that reminds me of freshly cured leather. Rubber boots as well. Some forest notes. Rather unique and very pleasantly coated with sweet, sugary aromas.
Mouth: more peat and smoke now, still rounded by toffee, sweet citrus and really soft spices. Nice interplay with the creamy sherry. Faint hints of tar.
Finish: long, with dry peat, citrus flavours and a little liquorice.
A very enjoyable whisky which finds the right balance of peat and sherry sweetness. Much more gentle than Turf Mór, with added candied notes. Still available alongside the new expression. Around € 50.
Score: 84/100