This blended Irish Whiskey from Chapel Gate Whiskey Company is a throwback to the days when whiskey bonders in Ireland acquired casks straight from the distilleries to create their own blends, and the real J.J. Corry was one of the best-known bonders of his day.

The nose is malty with notes of honeycomb, linseed oil, dried flowers, and muted spices. The taste is spicy with clove and black pepper, along with white peaches and touches of lemon-lime citrus that come out as the spices fade and a slight flintiness that develops in the background. The flintiness carries into the finish along with lingering spices and citrusy tartness. It’s a bit rough around the edges if you drink it neat, but that’s the way Irish Whiskey was in J.J. Corry’s day and this is an excellent reminder. (March, 2018)