Knappogue Castle 16 Year Old Single Malt Sherry Cask Finish
Knappogue Castle · Cooley Distillery (sourced)
The sherry cask finish here acts as the angle of entry — a secondary introduction that reshapes the whiskey's identity without erasing its history. Sixteen years in bourbon wood built the malt core; the sherry finish adds a layer of complexity that makes this a contemplative sipper.
Nose
Toasted malt and dried apricot lead, followed by honey and a subtle nuttiness. There's a secondary wave of floral rosewater and clove, with light vanilla from the bourbon cask foundation.
Palate
Silky texture, with stewed orchard fruit giving way to caramel, gentle clove spice, and a hazelnut center. The sherry influence adds dried fruit depth without dominating the malt character.
Finish
Medium-length, with lingering dried fruit, a whisper of cocoa, and warm wood spice that fades gracefully.
- Distillation
- Double distilled in copper pot stills
- Maturation
- Aged in ex-bourbon barrels, finished in oloroso sherry casks
- Single Pot Still
- No
- Chill-Filtered
- Yes
Cocktail Suggestion
Irish Malt Sour — 2 oz Knappogue Castle 16 Year Old · 0.75 oz lemon juice · 0.5 oz honey syrup · 1 egg white · Dry shake, then shake with ice. Strain into a coupe, garnish with grated nutmeg.
Food Pairing
Toasted crostini spread with ricotta, topped with halved figs and roasted walnuts, bridging the whiskey's nutty and dried fruit notes while the bread's char echoes the malt backbone.
Named for the 15th-century Knappogue Castle in County Clare, this whiskey is sourced from Cooley Distillery and finished in oloroso sherry casks, a practice that began under the stewardship of the family's Castle Brands company.
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