Sliabh Liag Distillery The Legendary Silkie Blended Irish Whiskey (700ml)

Winner: Best Irish Blend – 2021 World Whiskies Awards.

Although the word”blended”doesn’t appear on the label, a blend it is, and perhaps a bit more than your average Irish too. Unlike global standards such as Jamesons or Tullamore Dew, The Legendary Silkie lands at a proper ABV of 46% – not 40% – and comes bottled with zero chill filtration. Made from a range of whiskey styles including 13% double distilled malt, 17% triple distilled malt (4% peated) and 70% column distilled corn whiskey, Sliabh Liag Distillers in Donegal (est 2015) are behind the brand, however they didn’t distill the whiskey. Instead, they out-sourced the components – a common way to overcome the early years waiting for your own spirit to mature. That said, no one in their right mind is going to be bottling sub-standard liquid for a new label, or they’d risk destroying the brand before it ever got off the ground. A casual sipper par excellence – soft, honeyed, textural, fruity and with a wisp of smoke – that tells you just about everything you need to know. Enjoy as is or over ice or mixed with premium ginger ale and an orange peel garnish.

Winner: Best Irish Blend – 2021 World Whiskies Awards

Notes from the producers… NOSE: Fresh and malty, brisk like green apples, opens to be more honeyed with a gentle butteryness. TASTE: Super soft, honey to the fore, bright, hints of orange zest, digestive biscuits, brioche, butterscotch and stem ginger. FINISH: Warming, elegant and gently melts away.