Maker: Castle Brands, New York, New York, USA
Distiller: Unknown. Either Cooley or Bushmills.
Selected by A & L Wine Castle, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA (216 bottles)
Style: Triple Distilled Irish Single Malt
ABV: 46%
Purchased for $50
Appearance: Brassy orange.
Nose: Alcohol, oak, tarragon, vanilla scented candle, pineapple.
Palate: Medium bodied. Green apple on entry, buttercream, persimmon pudding.
Finish: Big and creamy. Oakm then pineapple upsidedown cake.
Parting words: Long time readers will remember that Knappogue Castle was one of the first Irish whiskeys I really fell in love with. The love affair continues with this beauty.
A & L did a great job selecting this barrel. It’s creamy, fruity and complex, with power rare for Irish Whiskeys. In 2013 I wrote the following about the standard Knappogue 12: “My only quibble is the low proof. I would love to be able to taste this at cask strength, or at least 46% ABV.” I’m glad they took my words to heart.
These Knappogue selections are rare, but if you find one, I highly recommend that you buy it!
Photographs
Bottle picture taken by me.
Chanin Building picture By Doc Searls from Santa Barbara, USA – ny_mayday02_09.JPG Uploaded by xnatedawgx, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=11332153
Sipology 