Irish single malt 2001 (Master of Malt)

A 2001 single malt from an undisclosed Irish distillery, bottled in the single cask series from Master of Malt after 14 years of ageing. Matured in a bourbon barrel – at least, that’s what they say on the label…

Irish single malt 14 yo 2001 (56,4%, Master of Malt 2016, bourbon barrel #10785)

Nose: something of a charred hint at first, like matchstick heads, but it clearly says bourbon barrel. Some grassy notes. None of the expected bananas, pears and other fruits. Leathery and leafy, with some hints of tea. Mocha glaze. Maybe a little melon at last. A mislabeled cask?

Mouth: a bit fruitier now, you get more melons and guavas, as well as apple peelings, but again there’s quite a big leafy and herbal side that swallows the typical Irishness. Black tea. Malt cookies. A lot of roasted / charred notes. Cinnamon and pepper. Almost medicinal at times. More caramel and chocolate when you add water.

Finish: long, sweet and herbal, with some green oak and leafy notes.

Not what we expected – perhaps the colour already indicated this wouldn’t be the usual rounded Irish malt. A bit puzzling but very interesting. Around € 115, sold out.

Score: 82/100