DOUBLE GOLD MEDAL WINNERS

Killowen Rum & Raisin
Single Malt Irish Whiskey
(Killowen Distillery)
Aged 5 years in bourbon casks, then finished in dark rum casks
& PX sherry butts.  110° prf

Nose: Ripe banana, apple, lemon, candied fruit, powdered sugar, honey, Graham cracker, grain, vanilla extract, vanilla, marzipan, almond paste, almost floral, ginger, clove, coffee, tobacco, leather.
Palate: Apricot, lemon, lemon zest, green apple, brown sugar, clover honey, oatmeal, malty, herbal, hint of ginger, cinnamon, clove, spicy, woody spice, earth, leather, perfume, oak, sweet smoke, zesty, hearty, savory, big, bold, delightful.
Finish: Dark chocolate, dried fruit, raisins, Juicy Fruit gum, apple skin, maple, floral, malt, cinnamon, white pepper, spicy, slightly tannic, oak, pine, sweet smoke, smoky, well balanced, good with a cigar.

Double Gold Medal

Spanish Earl Single Malt Irish Whiskey
(Kinsale Spirit Co., Cork)
Aged in bourbon barrels, finished in stout casks.  86° prf

Nose: Red apple, apple juice, banana, mango, fruit cup, tropical fruit, Juicy Fruit gum, orange peel, orange, citrus, honey,vanilla, chocolate, clove, nutmeg, white oak, woodsy, sherry.
Palate: Mango, tangerine, orange zest, citrus, red apple, orange blossom honey, vanilla, licorice, oats, barley, grain, almond, malt, pronounced cinnamon, nutmeg, white pepper, spice, leather, light smoke, woody, oak, balanced, bright.
Finish: Wheat, grain, malt, red Good & Plenty candy, licorice, citrus, white pepper, oak, smoky, zesty, smooth, creamy, mellow.

Double Gold Medal

GOLD MEDAL WINNERS

Limavady Single Malt Irish Whiskey
Finished in ex-bourbon barrels & PX sherry casks.
Master Distiller Darryl McNally.  92° prf

Nose: Caramel, toffee, butterscotch, butter cream, nougat, vanilla, yellow sponge cake, honey, raisins, ripe banana, plum, red licorice, lemon, almond, pecan, baking spice, nutmeg, mossy, oak, pine, young oak sapling, charred wood.
Palate: Caramel, cocoa, mocha, vanilla, candied fruit, apricot fruit leather, dried apricot, Twizzlers, fruit cup, red apple, orange, hint of citrus, basil, cinnamon, clove, spicy, white pepper, black pepper, iodine, leather, olive oil, bread, toast, oak, sherry, layered, silky, creamy.
Finish: Dried fruit, orange zest, licorice, malt, hay, nutmeg, spicy, lingering spice, woody, oak, balanced, creamy, big and bold, great for after dinner.

Gold Medal

Waterford Irish Single Malt Whisky The Cuvée
(Waterford Distillery)  100° prf

Nose: Caramel, butterscotch, toffee, brown sugar, cocoa, creamy chocolate, vanilla cream, vanilla, cake, wheat, rye, pumpernickel, malt, coffee, almond, mossy, musty, oak.
Palate: Butterscotch, butter cream, vanilla, cake, baked goods, brown sugar, molasses, maple syrup, honey, ripe banana, fig, green apple, apple skin, orange blossom, ginger, spearmint, almond, nutmeg, pepper, leather, cigar box, pine tree, oak, woody, smooth, rich.
Finish: Nougat, honey, malt, almond, nutty, spice, black pepper, oak, balanced, nicely layered, complex, classic.

Gold Medal

Great Earl Single Grain Irish Whiskey
(Kinsale Spirit Co., Cork)
Aged in Rechar & Virgin oak,
finished in Italian sangiovese wine casks.  80° prf

Nose: Raisins, dried orange peel, dried fruit, honey, banana leaf, vanilla, malt, mocha, licorice, almond, peanut shell, cinnamon, nutmeg, white pepper, spice, pine cone, subtle peat, musty, new oak, sherry.
Palate: Toffee, chocolate, dark chocolate, maple, vanilla, cream, honey, banana, banana bread, dried orange peel, green apple, ginger, sandalwood, marzipan, almond, nutty, barley, grain, spicy, briny, wood, oak.
Finish: Oats, almond, nutty, touch of mint, apple skin, grassy, bergamot, spicy, whetstone, oak, soft, smooth, creamy, pleasant, rich, elegant, great sipper.

Gold Medal

McConnell’s Irish Whisky
(J&J McConnell, Belfast)
Blend of malt & grain whiskies. Aged 5 years.  80° prf

Nose: Butterscotch, caramel, crème brûlée, milk chocolate, dark honey, banana bread, banana, pineapple, Red Delicious apple, grapefruit peel, hazelnut, malt, coffee, subtle nutmeg, spices, greenery, pine boughs, charred oak, vintage port wine.
Palate: Toffee, caramel, nougat, vanilla, buttery, cream, ripe banana, orange, orange peel, grapefruit, citrus, cinnamon, clove, spicy, peppery, iodine, smoky, woody, oak, creamy.
Finish: Chocolate, raisin, orange zest, grapefruit, old vine grape, tannic, briny, woodsy, smooth, mellow.

Gold Medal

SILVER MEDAL WINNERS

Sláinte Irish Whiskey
Aged in bourbon casks & sherry butts.   80° prf

Nose: Caramel, butterscotch, toffee, butter, honey comb, honey, vanilla, malt, pecan, almond, cashew, nutty, coffee, spice, white florals, dried leaves, burnt wood, tree bark, wood, oak, brine, whetstone, perfumy, dry sherry.
Palate: Toffee, maple syrup, vanilla, cream, butter, honey, Honey Nut Cheerios, wheat, raisins, dried apricot, dried pineapple, orange peel, clove, spicy, smoky, sherry, rum, creamy, silky, rich.
Finish: Dried fruit, cherry, banana, Confectioners’ sugar, floral, grain, malt, almond, walnut, nutty, spicy, lingering spice, oak, balanced, velvety mouthfeel, soft, creamy.

Silver Medal

Red Earl Irish Whiskey
(Kinsale Spirit Co., Cork)
Aged in bourbon, then sherry, and matured in Rioja casks.  80° prf

Nose: Nestle’s Crunch, Malted Milk Balls, light chocolate, brown sugar, vanilla, cream, honey, orange blossom honey, candied pear, golden raisins, orange peel, plum, floral, wheat, eucalyptus, grassy, pine, cedar.
Palate: Cocoa, treacle, honey comb, honey, vanilla, cereal, orange peel, lemon zest, cinnamon, clove, peppery, peat, smoky, old cask, oak, wood, sherry, creamy mouthfeel, gentle.
Finish: Lemon, citrusy, Angostura bitters, peat, smoky, wood, cedar, oak, clean, soft.

Silver Medal

Hinch Irish Whiskey Double Wood
Aged 5 yrs.
(Hinch Distillery, Co. Down, No. Ireland))
Finished in ex-bourbon casks for minimum 1 year.  86° prf

Nose: Light cocoa, dried fruit, pineapple, ginger, nutty, malt, white oak, linen, subtle brine, gravel.
Palate: Cherry, stewed plum, peach melba, red apple, green apple, herbal, green tea, vanilla, light mocha, malt, nutmeg, clove, wood, musty, maritime, iodine, leather, sherry, wood, oak barrel, soft, rich.
Finish: Cocoa, honey, orange, zest, oats, black tea, tannic, briny, musty, savory.

Silver Medal