Tyrconell 10 Years Port Cask

Overview
The Tyrconnell 10 Years Port Cask is a single malt Irish whiskey from Cooley Distillery, where traditional triple-distilled spirit matures for a decade before a finishing period in tawny port pipes, imparting layers of red fruit and sweetness to its elegant core.

Specs at a glance

Good to know
Produced at Cooley Distillery (now under Beam Suntory), The Tyrconnell revives a historic Irish brand originally tied to a legendary 19th-century racehorse. The port cask finish builds on the distillery's expertise in wood-driven expressions, softening the whiskey's inherent smoothness with vinous depth.

Tasting notes

• Nose: Ripe plums and blackcurrant from the port influence, layered with vanilla pod and subtle floral honey.
• Palate: Bold red berry compote and dark cherry upfront, transitioning to toffee, milk chocolate, and a whisper of nutmeg spice; creamy texture highlights the Irish malt purity.
• Finish: Medium-length with lingering port sweetness, dried fig, and faint oak tannin.

Notable details

• Production: Triple pot-distilled, aged in ex-bourbon barrels then finished in tawny port casks; non-chill filtered.
• Lineage: Cooley Distillery's flagship single malt line, known for approachable yet nuanced finishes.
• Comparison: Shares fruity elegance with port-finished Scotch malts like Aberlour A'bunadh, but lighter and more refined due to Irish distillation.
• Availability: Periodic releases in the cask finish collection, sought after by collectors.

Serving suggestions
Best neat or with a few drops of water to open the fruit; pairs well with blue cheese or dark chocolate desserts.

Closing
A poised gateway to cask-finished Irish malt, balancing tradition with vinous allure.