Knappogue Castle 25 yo 1996 / 2021 LMdW #5629 ‘The Remarkable Rocket’ 53.1% vs Knappogue Castle 27 yo 1994 / 2021 LMdW #888139 ‘The Happy Prince’ 50.3% vs Knappogue Castle 25 yo 1995 / 2021 LMdW #888892 ‘The Devoted Friend’ 50.9%
Knappogue Castle 25 yo 1996 / 2021 LMdW #5629 ‘The Remarkable Rocket’ 53.1% vs Knappogue Castle 27 yo 1994 / 2021 LMdW #888139 ‘The Happy Prince’ 50.3% vs Knappogue Castle 25 yo 1995 / 2021 LMdW #888892 ‘The Devoted Friend’ 50.9%
La Maison du Whisky has really scored with these 3. Unfortunately, a fourth Irish ‘The Selfish Giant’ was not available; And a fifth Canadian ‘Smaller Hero’, which left me with a smile, is about to be released locally. Some observations: These 3 Irishes mark a departure from the 92-94s we’ve seen, which were themselves an unwelcome departure from the flabbergasting 88-91s. A return to fruit and quality bodes well and these vintages should certainly be worth exploring.
Knappogue Castle 25 yo 1996 / 2021 LMdW #5629 ‘The Remarkable Rocket’ 53.1%
Indeed as reported by other good whisky loving folk, this one is certainly outstanding. It is by far the most mineral-esque and austere Irish I’ve tried, tending towards an acute leanness, bristling with flinty and sharp edges wrought in white chalk and granite. No noticeable oak. And damp violet leaf brings a cold humidity that approaches morning mist on moist stones and moss. Yet echoes of fruit on the palate, more aromatic fruit skins than actual juice, promises but never delivers fruity comfort, yet one is ironically thankful, as the precision of the minerals remain undulled. Plant sap and stripped stems emerge towards the finish, and pats down the palate with a greenness. 91 pts
Knappogue Castle 27 yo 1994 / 2021 LMdW #888139 ‘The Happy Prince’ 50.3%
This swings the other way and it feels like we are back in 1991. The nose alone promises a multihued substance and teases with a density otherwise lacking in the Devoted Friend. Though the downside to that is that the fruit which is undoubtedly present does feel cramped next to the myriad little dry browns and greens like tobacco leaf, twigs, undergrowth and clear sweet oils. Also bark, grapeseed and coconut fibre. clear nut oil On the palate the fruit juice blooms beautifully, given firmness by the whisky after all. Pomegrantes, plums and red berries erupt with conviction. Some banana, cardamom and mango too. Exuberant and satisfying. Perhaps a touch of grappa. Joyous. 91 pts
Knappogue Castle 25 yo 1995 / 2021 LMdW #888892 ‘The Devoted Friend’ 50.9%
Unfortunately this Friend appears somewhat anemic next to the Prince. There is still a fruit basket and it’s filled with just ripe stone fruit and multihued berries stained with grass juice and sap. But its a rattan basket so a dry reediness muddied with clay and sand escorts the fruit. Next come a host of greens and at this point I am reminded of the grassy sort of Irish which always seemed a little thinner and more astringent. A hint of salted capsicums and capers, vitamin chews and here and there a drop of petrol. The association with rum matured Bushmills cannot be shaken but one cannot be certain either. 89 pts
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- Millburn 36 yo 1969 / 2005 Douglas Laing #DL2152 50% vs Glenburgie 40 yo 1963 / 2003 Signatory #4751 56.4%
- Ben Nevis 23 yo 1996 / 2019 Single Malts of Scotland for the Nectar #536 51.3% vs A Speyside Distillery 32 yo 1989 / 2022 Thompson Bros 51.4%
- Brora 22 yo 1972 / 1995 Rare Malts 61.1% vs Brora 22 yo 1972 / 1995 Rare Malts 58.7%
- Talimburg 19 yo 1986 / 2005 The Whisky Fair #1485 45.9% vs Talisker 20 yo 1981 / 2002 62%
- Caol Ila 12 yo Bulloch Lade for Zenith 43% vs Caol Ila 30 yo 1979 / 2010 Berry Bros #4604/5 55.6%
- Clynelish 29 yo 1965 Whyte & Whyte 52.1%
- Brora 21 yo 1982 / 2003 Signatory #416 58.4% vs Clynelish 27 yo 1982 / 2009 Synch Eli Daily Dram 46%
- Dornoch 5 yo 2017 / 2023 #46 ‘Jasper Broers’ 57.9% vs Shizuoka ‘private cask’ 2017 / 2022 #2017-108 61%
- Clynelish 26 yo 1993 / 2020 Carn Mor #11215 52.7% vs Bowmore 17 yo 2004 /2021 SMWS 3.327 ‘Siren’s Song’ 57.1%
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