Whisky Review/Tasting: The Irishman 12 Jahre

Physical Whisky Characteristics

Origin: Ireland, specifically from a distillery one hour southwest of Dublin.
Type: Irish Single Malt Whiskey.
Distillation: Triple distilled, a common practice for Irish whiskies.
Maturation: Aged for 12 years in first-fill bourbon barrels.
Age Statement: 12 years.
ABV: 43% (86 proof for Americans).
Color and Clarity: Has coloring added; not chill-filtered, indicating a preference for preserving flavor over clarity.
Bottle Design: Signed by Bernard Walsh, the founder of Walsh Distillery, indicating a personal touch and connection to the distillery's heritage.

General Tastes: Very fruity and sweet, with a significant presence of cinnamon, reminiscent of Christmas.
Unique Characteristics: Notable for its banana cookie note combined with vanilla, creating a distinctive and appealing flavor profile.
Balance of Flavors: Starts sweet with fruitiness and vanilla, developing a spicy and woody note, ending with a bitter and darker tone including dark chocolate, pepper, nutmeg, and cloves.
Comparison: While not directly compared to other whiskies, its unique blend of sweet and spicy could appeal to those who enjoy complex flavor profiles.

Distillery Background: The Irishman 12 is associated with the Walsh Distillery, which has a history of starting as a bottler before distilling its own spirit since 2016. This particular bottle, however, comes from another distillery but is bottled under the Walsh label.
Founder's Signature: The bottle is personally signed by Bernard Walsh, adding a layer of authenticity and connection to the distillery's legacy.

Irish Distillation Tradition: The triple distillation process is highlighted as a characteristic feature of Irish whiskies, emphasizing the cultural heritage of whiskey production in Ireland.
Geographical Location: The distillery's location southwest of Dublin situates it within the rich landscape of Irish whiskey production, contributing to its identity and story.

"It's really a small journey from when you smell it, taste it, and how it finishes." - This quote encapsulates the dynamic and evolving flavor profile of The Irishman 12, from its sweet beginnings to its spicy and bitter finish.

The Irishman 12 is a triple-distilled Irish single malt whiskey, aged for 12 years in first-fill bourbon barrels.
It features a sweet and fruity profile with unique notes of banana cookie and vanilla, evolving into a spicy and woody flavor with a finish that includes dark chocolate, pepper, nutmeg, and cloves.
The whiskey is associated with the Walsh Distillery, which has a history of bottling before distilling its own spirits since 2016.
The cultural significance of its Irish origin and triple distillation process is highlighted, along with the personal touch of the founder's signature on the bottle.
The review describes the whiskey as a journey in flavor, from its sweet aroma to its complex and evolving taste profile.

For Whiskey Enthusiasts: Those with a palate for complex and evolving flavor profiles will appreciate the journey from sweet to spicy and bitter notes.
For Irish Whiskey Lovers: Fans of traditional Irish whiskey practices, such as triple distillation, will find this whiskey's heritage and production process appealing.
For Beginners: The sweet and fruity initial profile, combined with the smooth transition to spicier notes, makes it an accessible choice for those new to whiskey tasting.