Clonakilty distillery is one of Ireland’s newest distilleries; a family owned and run distillery off the southern tip of Ireland. A family of farmers and property developers, with a passion for whiskey and gin. This is the first whiskey they will be releasing. NOSE The nose on this whiskey is intriguing, it is a tad bashful to start but as it opens, it is an orchestra of aromas. Wine notes mingling with toasted cereal hit first followed by barley, over-ripe red apples and dark cherries. As it develops the maritime influence is evident, mixing with warm ginger and damsons tones. PALATE The palate is juicy and also a tad demure. It is a silky whiskey with touches of spiced damsons, wild blackberries and cherry. As it grows, you get the warming spicy notes tickling the digestive biscuit flavours. FINISH The port finish is beautifully done, it allows the whiskey to be the star of the show. If you have the time pour two glasses, one to sip and one to see how it changes when left to aerate. If this is the quality we can expect from Clonakilty, then their future is bright.