Knappogue Castle 16 Year Old Single Malt Twin Wood
Knappogue Castle · Undisclosed (sourced from Cooley/Bushmills)
At 16 years, this Knappogue Castle shows the kind of maturity that Irish single malts rarely get credit for. The twin-wood approach—bourbon followed by sherry casks—creates layers without overwhelming the whiskey's inherently gentle character. It's a contemplative pour that earns its complexity honestly.
Nose
Rich dried fruit and sherry-soaked raisins meet a foundation of creamy vanilla and gentle honey. A trace of almond and hazelnut adds a nutty complexity, while a mild woody dryness provides structure.
Palate
Smooth and medium-weight, with caramel and cocoa developing across the tongue. The dried fruit from the nose carries through, joined by clove spice and a buttery richness. A quiet earthiness emerges toward the back.
Finish
Medium-long, with hazelnut and cocoa fading into a warm, woody close. The sherry influence lingers elegantly.
- Distillation
- Triple distilled in copper pot stills
- Maturation
- Aged in ex-bourbon barrels, finished in Oloroso sherry casks
- Single Pot Still
- No
- Chill-Filtered
- Yes
Food Pairing
Dark chocolate torte with hazelnut praline
Originally bottled by Mark Edwin Andrews at the restored 15th-century Knappogue Castle in County Clare, this brand has quietly championed aged Irish single malts since the 1950s when most of Ireland's distilleries had gone silent.
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