Tasted #220: Connemara 12 Year Old

Following a recent masterclass at The Wild Rover (home to the CCWC) I took the chance to try and further my whisky passport, a great ploy by the folks at The Wild Rover to get you to try all sorts of whiskies from all over the world.

Having spoken to one of the guys from Dram Full at a recent Irish whisky masterclass, the Connemara came up in the conversation and was described as a peated Irish whiskey that certainly does not fare like a conventional Irish whiskey, nor a conventional peated whiskey. Connemara whiskies, from the Cooley distillery, it was said, have a mild, balanced peated character that subtly presents the peat along with the all the exciting notes that are inherent with the malt.

From the whisky slab, four Connemara whiskies were listed; the Connemara Single Malt, Connemara Cask Strength, Connemara 12yo and Connemara Turf Mor (the Octomore of Connemara -- the 'high peat' expression). Unfortunately, only the Connemara 12yo was available that night with all the other expressions on backorder, so it was off then to try the Connemara 12yo.

Connemara 12 Year Old (40% ABV, 12yo, Kilbeggan, Ireland, $140AUD)
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A great tasting peated Irish whiskey that balances the gentle smoke with creamy, citrus, tropical fruit and spice notes. Not a bad dram to have on any spring night.

Colour: Light gold with a tinge of amber hue

Nose: Deliciously fragrant on the nose with notes of banana, cherry, strawberry, pineapple - loads of tropical fruits

Palate: The palate is clean, creamy with a subtle strawberry note that then develops into a more punchy peppery palate and then the gentle peat finally rolls in.

Finish: Medium to long, dry finish with a lingering Taiwanese pineapple cake note.

Rating (on my very non-scientific scale): 92/100.

Cheers,
Hendy