The Tyrconnell was a horse owned by the Watt family that was entered into the Irish national stakes in 1876 and won against enormous odds of 100-1.

Now the name is used for this Irish whiskey produced at the Cooley Distillery, Ireland’s last independent distillery currently owned by Beam-Suntory.  This is also where the Connemara, Greenore and Kilbeggan whiskeys are produced.  Tyrconnell is double-distilled and made from a base of malted barley.

Easy on the eyes, it’s a pretty, medium gold with tiny, quick legs (like the horse?).  The nose is clean, elegant and fruity with medium plus intense aromas of honey, yellow and red apples, baking spices, biscuit and malt.

The palate is dry with smooth alcohol.  It’s very silky and exceedingly easy to drink (don’t say I didn’t warn you).  There is some complexity with a medium plus finish that consists of orange and lemon rind, more honey, applesauce, biscuit, vanilla, clove and cinnamon.

This is a nicely balanced, silky smooth Irish whiskey with a fresh and classy profile and finish.  WSET ‘Very Good’ – drink now and often.