Did you hear the one about the Irishman who walked into a rum distillery? Actually, that’s not a joke. It’s the inspiration for this delectable potation, a creation of the dynamic Bernard Walsh, whose family also is behind the Writers’ Tears brand of Irish whiskeys. Founded 20 years ago, Walsh Whiskey Distillery has been at the forefront of its country’s spirit renaissance, experimenting with various superpremium and small-batch expressions, seven of which were recently released in Ontario in very limited quantities, including The Irishman Cask Strength ($189.95) and the excellent Writers’ Tears Copper Pot Deau XO Cognac Cask Finish ($99.95).
And then there’s this bottling, a twist on The Irishman Founder’s Reserve that’s finished briefly in casks that once held Caribbean rum. The flavour is gorgeously robust for an Irish whiskey and uncommonly velvety and round. Everything’s in the right place. Loads of apricot-peach and tropical fruit with brown sugar, vanilla, seasoned wood and aromatic baking spices. Seductively textured, rich and succulent. Bottled at 46-per-cent alcohol. Available in Ontario.
- Price: $99.95