Connemara Peated
Nozinan Mini and Sample Series - 65
4 887
Review by @Nozinan
- Nose~
- Taste~
- Finish~
- Balance~
- Overall87
Show rating data charts
Distribution of ratings for this:
In July of this year I was in Calgary for a couple of days. We didn’t really have time to do too much shopping, but we did look around a little, and came upon a store with a number of minis and a discount if you buy three. I had a mini of this one but it was part of a set that was given to me by a colleague, and so because I’ve been wanting to try this for a while (and even more, I would like to try the CS version), I picked it as one of the three.
This expression is reviewed in both the Tuath Irish Whiskey Glass and, because I’ve concerns the nose may be muted in this glass, the Brilliant Highland Whisky Glass in my usual manner, allowing it to settle after which I take my nosing and tasting notes, followed by the addition of a few drops of water, waiting, then nosing and tasting. I don’t usually add water to whiskies at 40%, but I did it for “educational purposes”.
Nose: 22.5/25
In the Irish whisky glass, soft sweet fruity nose with a hint of peat. Definitely apple, some light syrup. A hint of vanilla and baking spices. Beautiful, clean nose. The nose seems even richer in the Highland glass. Water does not seem to change things in either glass.
Taste: 21.5/25 Sweet, peat forward. A little apple. Vanilla. A little thin on the mouth feel but quite pleasant. More bitter in the Highland glass (would actually bring the score down 2-3 points). Water seems to thin out the flavour a bit. It tones down the peat a little and enhances the pepperiness. Still good. (20.5/25)
Finish: 21/25
Short. Slightly peppery. Unremarkable.
Balance: 22/25
Nicely balanced, between nose and palate, sweetness and peat with the right hint of black pepper.
Score: Neat - 87/100 With Water: 86/100
More experimentation is needed, but I’m beginning to think that as cool as it looks, the Tuath whisky glass just doesn’t provide a good nose.
I’m pretty surprised. 40%. 87/100. This is not a score I usually give to an NAS, low ABV whisky. Since making my tasting notes I’ve checked Connosr and it seems like my score is higher than most, or all, but also I note there seems to be a lot of batch variation.
Definitely a pleasant surprise!
I would LOVE to try this at Cask Strength.
Find where to buy Connemara whisky
@Nozinan - Thanks for the review! I was gifted a bottle of this a while back but had thought to perhaps gift it on as reviews weren't great. You may have convinced me to give it a go though.