West Cork 8 Year Old Single Malt Irish Whiskey
West Cork Distillers · West Cork Distillers
West Cork's 8 Year Single Malt is an entry point that punches above its price. It won't challenge your palate the way a pot still or cask strength expression might, but it delivers clean, honest Irish whiskey character with enough complexity to hold your attention. An ideal summer dram.
Nose
Fresh cut grass and green apple open the nose, followed by a gentle honeyed sweetness and light vanilla. A whisper of malt and a faint floral rosewater note emerge as it breathes.
Palate
Light and clean, with honey and orchard fruit giving way to a gentle nuttiness — hazelnut, specifically — and a touch of buttery creaminess. The malt carries a pleasant cereal character that anchors the sweetness.
Finish
Short to medium, with green grass, vanilla, and a lingering almond note. Crisp and refreshing rather than contemplative.
- Distillation
- Triple distilled in copper pot stills
- Maturation
- Ex-bourbon barrels, minimum 8 years
- Single Pot Still
- No
- Chill-Filtered
- Yes
Cocktail Suggestion
Cork Garden Sour — 2 oz West Cork 8 Year Old · 0.75 oz lemon juice · 0.5 oz elderflower liqueur · 0.5 oz simple syrup · Shake with ice, strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice, garnish with a sprig of mint.
Food Pairing
Smoked salmon on brown soda bread with crème fraîche
Founded by three friends in the harbor town of Skibbereen in 2003, West Cork Distillers has grown from a tiny garage operation into one of Ireland's largest independent distilleries, powered by Atlantic air and local grain.
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