Review by: Raygun

This is a single malt Irish whiskey with few details other than the age. Bushmills and Cooley were the only distilleries making single malt then that I know of. I don’t believe Midleton was producing single malt in the early 2000s. I don’t know if it’s double or triple distilled, which would narrow it down. I’m not typically a big fan of TWBC, but I’ve had some very nice stuff from them. Also had good experiences with Cooley. I’m keeping an open mind. Even though I feel like the label would give me a headache if I looked at it for very long. Reviewed from a sample. Rested for 15 minutes. 

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Distillery: Unknown (likely Bushmills)

Bottler: That Boutique-y Whisky Company 

Region/style: Irish single malt whiskey 

ABV: 46%

Age: 15 years. I think it’s a 2020 release.   

Cask type: Unknown

Color: 0.9 amontillado. Natural color and non-chill-filtered.

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Nose: Very grassy. Cereal, fruit candies, and wood with a cedar influence in particular.        

Palate: Pretty woody again considering the age, yet with the sharpness of something younger. More fruit, notably apple, pear, and a side of orange. Some overbrewed tea joins in. Lots of cereal. Nice touch of honey sweetness helps balance it.   

Finish: Apple and a little lemon. A bit of dried papaya. More notes of tea, with a little chamomile thrown in. Grassy again. The cereal is still prominent.    

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Conclusion: Reasonably pleasant and not especially memorable is my brief summary. I’m suspecting Bushmills because the Cooley I’ve had has tended to be better, but who knows. If I had some Knappogue Castle around I’d compare them as those are also Bushmills, but I don’t. Anyway, my recollection of Knappogue Castle 14 is pretty close to this: not a bad drink, but not a bottle I have to have.

Score: 78

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Scoring Legend:

• 95-100: As good as it gets. Jaw-dropping, eye-widening, unforgettable whisky.
• 90-94: Sublime, a personal favorite in its category. (Kavalan Solist Manzanilla)
• 85-89: Excellent, a standout dram. (Kavalan Solist Vinho Barrique)
• 80-84: Quite good. Quality stuff. (Green Spot Chateau Leoville Barton)
• 75-79: Decent whisky worth tasting. (Amrut Peated CS)
• 70-74: Meh. It’s definitely drinkable, but it can do better. (Taketsuru Pure Malt)
• 60-69: Not so good. I might not turn down a glass if I needed a drink. (Hakushu Distiller’s Reserve)
• 50-59: Save it for mixing. (Bushmills 10 Malt)
• 0-49: Blech.