Irish Whiskies, Bushmill and Tyrconnell

[emelbe]

There is some aftertaste, flat on the back of the tongue that seems pretty universal to Irish whiskies—at least the six I’ve tried now—that makes them less appealing to me.

Bushmills Single Malt Irish Whiskey, 21-year

First reaction was, “Holy crap, I’d drink this all day,” and then that aftertaste kicked in a few sips later. Adding ice didn’t help. I liked it better neat.

Bushmills Single Malt Irish Whiskey, 16-year

Could definitely taste the sherry. My favorite of the three Bushmills.

Bushmills Single Malt Irish Whiskey, 10-year

Sort of… generic whiskey. Plus that characteristic Irish whiskey taste.

Tyrconnell Single Malt Irish Whiskey finished in Sherry Casks, 10-year

I enjoyed this most of the five in this tasting. The sherry was really, really prominent from the first sniff, through the first taste, then even moreso with the addition of ice.

Tyrconnell Single Malt Irish Whiskey

I’ve never had anything like this (nor had my tasting partner). There’s an element in there that’s hard to put my finger on. Maybe like soil? But not in an unpleasant way. It sort of tastes like freshly watered soil on a hot day smells, rich, full, a little sweet. Almost enough to compensate for that Irish Whiskey aftertaste that I do not love. Almost.