Any shopkeeper will tell you a lot of people are anxiously waiting for new independent Irish whiskey, especially these (officially undisclosed) Bushmills casks that seem to have been brought to the market by the Teeling brothers. This is a brand-new one, already sold out in most places.

Irish single malt 27 yo 1988 (49,5%, The Nectar of the Daily Drams 2015, joint bottling with LMdW)

Nose: another generously exotic nose (guava, tinned pineapple, kiwi, banana). Rather warm and honeyed, slightly buttery, maybe a little less of the acidity that you find in other examples, but more redcurrant jam and nice hints of fresh cassis. Melon, strawberry candy (marshmallow). In the background there’s vanilla cream, cinnamon and hints of cedar wood. Light mint.

Mouth: very, very exotic again. Mango, maracuja, litchi, quince, gradually joined by spicy notes (ginger, aniseed) and some grapefruit zest. Blackcurrants. Grand Marnier. Hints of salty oak towards the end.

Finish: long, creamy but with more spices (nutmeg, ginger), zesty notes and a light hint of tobacco.

I’ve tried this one on three occasions now. The first time I was struck by the hints of red fruits (sherry?), which made it rather special for me. However these notes were softer the next time, showing a more classic, exotic profile. Anyway another excellent Irish malt. Around € 210.

Score: 91/100

6Comments

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1

Tony on 2 September 2015 at 01:09

Oddly priced 100 Euros than last year’s 26 year old by LMDW/Nectar. Which is still available. So perhaps not so odd after all.
2

WhiskyNotes on 2 September 2015 at 07:51

You mean “priced 100 euros lower”, indeed. I believe this one will be more expensive when you buy it from LMdW as well.
3

Gal(WhiskyIsrael) on 2 September 2015 at 08:57

where can i buy this one Ruben (online, NL if possible)
4

WhiskyNotes on 2 September 2015 at 09:13

I don’t know, Gal. This kind of bottle is either sold out through pre-orders, or in a webshop five minutes after it appears online.
5

Tony on 2 September 2015 at 14:42

True – I had it in my basket in one web shop as soon as it was announced, but it disappeared before I could check out! Luckily I have some of the previous 1988-91 single casks so I can’t complain too much. They are all subtly different but brilliant as a group.
6

Tony on 2 September 2015 at 14:46

Yes, lower! It is almost unheard of for a more recent and older aged bottling to be 30% cheaper than the previously released one. Maybe that also helps it to sell out so quickly.

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