Hyde No.1 Presidents Cask 10 Year Old Sherry Cask Finish Single Malt Irish Whiskey (700ml)

Awarded Double Gold / Best Single Malt Irish Whiskey at the 2016 San Francisco World Spirit Competition.

A limited edition released by Hibernia Distillers and named after Douglas Hyde, the first President of Ireland. Based in Skibereen, this is a new Irish venture and like other start-ups, their first release is equivalent to an ‘NDP’ or Non Distiller Producer bottling. In other words, Hyde have sourced a single malt from another distillery, (Cooley?) and after an initial maturation in bourbon barrels, they’ve followed it up with a 6 month finishing period in first fill Oloroso Sherry casks. Hyde expect to release their own whiskey in about 5 years. Bottled at 46% ABV without chill filtration. 5,000 bottles available world wide.

Tasting note: Brassy gold. A multi layered sniff opens with moist fruit slice followed by more exotic notes of dried banana and vanilla. Later passes reveal classic Irish pot still aromas of light creamy-soda and spiced pear. Medium bodied with a honeyed, creamy-soda entry rounded off with a spicy fruit cake flourish. Hints of raisin chocolate in the aftertaste. Shows excellent length. A skilful juxtaposition of flavours with the sherry input beautifully expressed. 46% Alc./Vol.