Glendalough Double Barrel Single Grain Irish Whiskey
Glendalough · Glendalough Distillery
Glendalough's Double Barrel single grain challenges the assumption that grain whiskey is inherently less interesting than malt or pot still. The double maturation—first in bourbon barrels, then in oloroso sherry casks—adds layers that the grain base delivers with transparency. An excellent introduction to Irish grain whiskey.
Nose
Green cut grass and fresh pear open the nose, followed by creamy vanilla and a touch of coconut. A light honeyed sweetness rounds out a surprisingly complex introduction for a grain whiskey.
Palate
Light to medium body with buttery cereal and a burst of orchard fruit. The bourbon barrel finishing adds caramel warmth, while a floral note—faint rosewater—adds unexpected dimension. The grain base keeps things clean and approachable.
Finish
Short to medium, with vanilla and a lingering green freshness. Clean and crisp exit.
- Distillation
- Column distilled
- Maturation
- Bourbon barrels, finished in oloroso sherry casks
- Single Pot Still
- No
- Chill-Filtered
- Chill filtered
Cocktail Suggestion
Wicklow Highball — 2 oz Glendalough Double Barrel · 4 oz chilled sparkling water · 0.5 oz honey syrup · Squeeze of lemon · Build over ice in highball glass, stir gently, garnish with lemon wheel.
Food Pairing
Smoked salmon on brown bread with dill cream
Five friends from Dublin founded Glendalough Distillery in 2011 in the Wicklow Mountains, drawing on wild botanicals and the region's monastic distilling heritage to craft spirits that reflect the rugged landscape of Ireland's Garden County.
Be the first to comment.
Leave a comment
New Riff Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Bottled in Bond
New Riff
New Riff's BiB is proof that transparency in production translates to transparency in the glass. The non-chill-filtered, sour mash approach with a high-rye mash bill produces a bourbon of clarity and conviction. At this price point, it overdelivers consistently.
Tomatin 18 Year Old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Tomatin
Tomatin 18 is one of the Highlands' most underrated age-statement malts. The combination of first-fill oloroso sherry casks and refill bourbon barrels creates a layered, elegant whisky that never shouts. It rewards careful attention with steady, deepening complexity.
Plantation Fiji Islands 2017 Single Cask
Plantation
This Fiji single cask bottling from Plantation delivers the transparency that the series is designed to showcase—a specific distillery, a specific year, a single cask's personality on display. The double aging in Fiji and then in Ferrand cognac casks in France adds structural complexity while preserving the distillery's characteristically lush tropical profile.
Gran Centenario Plata Tequila
Gran Centenario
Gran Centenario Plata demonstrates that entry-level tequila need not sacrifice character. The selección suave process—a brief rest in new American oak—adds a whisper of complexity without masking the agave. This is an honest blanco that works beautifully in cocktails but merits straight sipping on its own.
Dingle Single Malt Cask Strength Batch No. 5 Irish Whiskey
Dingle
Dingle's cask-strength releases showcase what happens when a small distillery refuses to rush. The heat here is real—58.2% ABV—but it is productive heat, pushing out flavors that a lower proof would hide. This is a whiskey that demands water and rewards patience, revealing new layers over the course of 30 minutes in the glass.
Jameson Caskmates Stout Edition Irish Whiskey
Jameson
The Caskmates Stout Edition demonstrates how a finishing cask can rewrite a whiskey's personality without erasing its identity. It's approachable and affordable, but the stout barrel influence adds a genuine dimension of roasted complexity that rewards exploration.
Kilbeggan Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey Cask Strength
Kilbeggan
Kilbeggan's cask strength pot still release punches with conviction, showcasing the raw power of Ireland's oldest licensed distillery. The high proof amplifies the classic pot still spiciness without overwhelming the fruit. Add water gradually to unlock layers — this one changes shape in the glass.
The Sexton Single Malt Irish Whiskey
The Sexton
An exceptional value sherry-matured single malt — approachable enough for newcomers yet textured enough to reward attention. A genuine milestone in democratizing premium Irish single malt.