West Cork 16 Year Old Single Malt Irish Whiskey
West Cork · West Cork Distillers
Sixteen years of patience from a relatively young distillery yields a whiskey that punches well above its visibility. West Cork demonstrates that time and good cask selection can compete with the bigger names in Irish whiskey — this is understated maturity at an honest price.
Nose
Honeyed orchard fruit and vanilla rise first, followed by a buttery richness and gentle dried fruit. A subtle earthy note and distant floral quality keep it interesting.
Palate
Smooth and well-integrated, with caramel and baked peach leading the way. The oak is present but restrained, offering woody warmth and a gentle almond character. Mid-palate shows cocoa and light clove spice.
Finish
Medium-long, with vanilla, dried fruit, and a soft woody fade. Elegant and unhurried.
- Distillation
- Triple distilled in copper pot stills
- Maturation
- Aged 16 years in ex-bourbon barrels
- Single Pot Still
- No
- Chill-Filtered
- No
Cocktail Suggestion
West Cork Gold Rush — 2 oz West Cork 16 Year · 0.75 oz honey syrup · 0.75 oz fresh lemon juice · Shake with ice, strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice, garnish with a lemon wheel.
Food Pairing
A wedge of 24-month aged Gouda served with raw honeycomb and toasted walnuts. The whiskey's butterscotch richness echoes the caramel notes in the cheese, while the honeycomb amplifies both.
Founded in 2003 by three friends in the fishing village of Skibbereen, West Cork Distillers has grown from a modest start-up into Ireland's largest independent distillery, sourcing water from the Ilen River that flows past their front door.
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