I took a chance on this bottle mainly because I’m a fan (and member) of the Stories and Sips whiskey group run by Barry Chandler. As the “overall” states, I loved this…and I did indeed buy another.

W.D. O’Connell Whiskey Merchants Single Malt Irish Whiskey Amontillado Cask: Specs

Classification: Single Malt Irish Whiskey

Producer: W.D. O’Connell Whiskey Merchants, Distilled at Great Northern Distillery

Mashbill: 100% Malted Barley

Proof: 100 (50% ABV)

Age: 5 Years Old

Location: Ireland

W.D. O’Connell Whiskey Merchants Single Malt Irish Whiskey Amontillado Cask Price: $80

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W.D. O’Connell Whiskey Merchants Single Malt Irish Whiskey Amontillado Cask: Tasting Notes

Eye: Pale gold. Medium syrupy legs and rims, falling slowly to small teardrops.

Nose: Intense vanilla smoke, concentrated “Irish” malt flavor that explodes out of the glass. The sherry is powerful, making clear amontillado like Poe designed the pour. Mild proof, tart peaches and Rainier cherries, dried pineapple, creamy vanilla.

Palate: I could swear this has a bit of sweet peat. Bright, limoncell-like citrus, dried red and yellow fruits just as intense as on the nose. Mild proof and oak, dry and creamy vanilla, smoke from a bonfire going strongly. That amontillado dryness is just beautiful. Mouthfeel is creamy and baking spice-studded at once, tropical fruit salad with spiked creme anglaise. Drying, settles mid-palate, coats powerfully.

Finish: The smoke fades to the background but doesn’t die, creamy and astringent and spicy. Green apple opens late as the limoncello wraps around. Long and coating as the smoke rears one more time.

Overall: What a complex pour! Goes to fruity and creamy and vanilla and sherry, constantly evolving and calling back like a great comedy special. The smoke is enough to be a major flavor without taking away from the other flavors. A real banger - I might need another…

Final Rating: 8.0