J. J. Corry The Gael (46%, OB, 7500 Bottles, 2017)

• ABV: 46 %
• Age: NAS
• Bottling: OB
• Category: Blended Irish Whiskey
• Cost: £76.95 available from Master of Malt (opens masterofmalt.com)
• Origin: undisclosed
• Vintage undeclared

Image courtesy of Master of Malt

What they say

Named after a Bicycle J.J. Corry invented, Our first release The Gael took us just about two years to develop. First we sourced excellent quality and very rare mature Irish Whiskey. Then we set about classifying each cask we have into a particular flavour block. Finally we began blending to create a Classic Irish Whiskey, one bursting with juicy fruit flavours. The Gael has not spent any time on our farm, rather it is our first attempt at beginning to express the house style of whiskey we would like to make in the coming years, once our own stock is mature. Our first batch is only 7500 bottles.

The Gael is a 60% Malt 40% Grain blend, and is a blend of some of the Oldest Whiskies we have in stock. It is comprised of:

5% 26 Year Old Single Malt Ex-Sherry Butt

27.5% 11 Year Old Single Malt

27.5% 15 Year Old Single Malt

40% 7 Year Old Single Grain

Official tasting notes:

• Nose: Hints of fresh bergamot & beeswax
• Taste: Ripe white stone fruit & lime, with minerality & pink pepper corns
• Finish: Medium length, minerals again with dried grapefruit & apple notes

What I say

Sampled blind (sample JJ Corry II) as part of the JJ Corry Irish Whiskey Tasting #JJCorryWhiskey hosted by The Chapel Gate Irish Whiskey Company  and Steve @TheWhiskyWire

JJ Corry The Gael – 46% ABV – Blended Irish Whiskey. Matured in a combination of sherry and first/second fill bourbon casks containing 11, 15, 25 year old malts and 7 year old grain.

My tasting notes:

• Appearance: champagne gold (4/20), quick large tears and medium legs
• Nose: Stone fruit, nectarine, peach, orange, praline, hazelnut or gianduja, toasted almond and milk chocolate
• Taste: Yellow plum, nectarine, peach, much smoother, light-medium bodied, some crisp, drying oak and hints of salt and spiced white pepper
• Finish: Medium, balanced sweet-dry with honey, fruit and wood in equal measures.

Overall

Much more accomplished/complete and very enjoyable. This is the target flavour profile The Chapel Gate Whiskey are aiming for then I expect a highly drinkable series of whiskeys will follow.

Score 83/100

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