Glendalough 7 Years Single Malt Irish Whiskey 750 ML

A relentless search for the most flavorful oak in the world took us from our own wooded mountains in Wicklow to those in the volcanic north of Japan, Hokkaido. This is where we found Mizunara, the most sought-after oak in the whiskey world.

This whiskey is vivid, but delicate with seamless depth. It is vibrant, fruity, and floral on the nose, enjoying a luxuriously smooth mouthfeel with notes of dark chocolate orange, sandalwood and cinnamon synonymous with Mizunara whiskeys. Glendalough's Mizunara 7-year single malt benefits from an exceptionally long finish of toasted oak and oriental spices, with the dark chocolate lingering even longer.

Tasting Notes:

Color: Bright Gold

Nose: It begins with a thick, syrupy, sweet character with notes of treacle, honey, orange, chocolate, and molasses. It’s a rich, dessert-y nose that reminds me of an orange sticky toffee pudding. As it settles in the glass it returns with a burst of honey. It’s an unusual nose that’s unlike any Irish whiskey I’ve had previously.

Palate: There is a burst of flavor at the onset. Starts with another blast of honey before moving to baked pastry, with stewed fruits, and bright citrus. Then comes waves of chocolate, sugared lemon, cereal, and raisins.
The Mizunara oak seems to have snuck some exotic wood notes, with a touch of incense and teak.

Maybe some sandalwood oil. The mouthfeel is good, sticking and coating the mouth in a thick layer of whiskey goodness. But the palate is not nearly as sweet as the nose but remains unusual in the Irish category.