Category Archives: Whiskey

April 2025 – Three Drams Whiskey Tasting Kit

Whiskey

Continuing my journey to become a whiskey connoisseur with the ThreeDrams.com subscription (unaffiliated—just a great way to explore Irish whiskey!), here are this month’s three drams—two blends and one single malt—along with my thoughts and expert tasting notes.

Dram 1: The Whistler Triple Oak Blended Irish Whiskey

Distillery: Boann Distillery
ABV: 40%

Expert Notes:
A rich and approachable blend matured in bourbon, sherry, and virgin oak casks. Expect toffee, caramel, raisins, and spice on the nose. The palate is toasted oak, dried fruits, and warming spice, with a mellow finish.

My Tasting Notes:
I found this one woody on the nose with caramel sweetness and warm spice. It felt like a solid, well-balanced dram. A comforting sipper and one I’d revisit.

Dram 2: Bart’s Blended Irish Whiskey

Distillery: Lough Ree Distillery
ABV: 46%

Expert Notes:
Described as having aromas of toasted marshmallow, pear, and cinnamon, with a palate of red fruits, caramelized sugar, and a spicy finish. There’s even a hint of smoke in the background.

My Tasting Notes:
A surprise hit for me! I got a touch of marshmallow on the nose, and the taste reminded me of rhubarb & custard sweets—sweet at first, with a spice that lingers. I liked it much more than expected.

Dram 3: Dingle Single Malt Irish Whiskey

Distillery: Dingle Distillery
ABV: Approx. 46.3%

Expert Notes:
A fruity and layered single malt with notes of lime zest, sweet pear, and caramelised apple. The palate brings vanilla, honey, and a spicy, satisfying finish.

My Tasting Notes:
On the nose, I picked up a fruity aroma, and the taste brought sweet caramelized apple and honey. A smooth and elegant dram—my favourite of the bunch!

Summary & Ranking

This month’s tasting kit offered three very different but well-crafted Irish whiskeys. My personal ranking:

  1. Dingle Single Malt – Sweet and balanced with lovely fruit notes.
  2. The Whistler Triple Oak – Reliable, rich, and comforting.
  3. Bart’s Blend – A sweet surprise, fun and nostalgic.

Becoming a Whiskey Connoisseur – March 2025 Tasting Kit

Whiskey

I’ve decided to explore the world of whiskey and try to become a proper connoisseur. Each month, I’ll be tasting three drams and sharing my thoughts on this blog. It’s all part of a tasting journey I started with a monthly subscription from www.threedrams.com. I’m not affiliated with them in any way—I just think it’s a great way to explore different styles of Irish whiskey.

March 2025 – Tasting Kit

Dram 1: Midleton Very Rare 2024 Vintage

ABV: 40%

The 2024 release of Midleton Very Rare continues its legacy as one of Ireland’s most sought-after vintage blends. It’s a combination of single pot still and single grain whiskeys, aged between 13 and 35 years, all matured in lightly charred first-fill ex-bourbon American oak barrels.

My Tasting Impressions:
I found the nose floral and inviting, with a soft, delicate aroma that set the tone beautifully. On the palate, it delivered toffee apple and caramel, with a smooth, easy-drinking mouthfeel. The amber colour glowed in the glass, adding to the sense of quiet luxury.

Dram 2: McConnell’s Sherry Cask Finish

ABV: 46%

Finished in Oloroso sherry casks, this 5-year-old blend delivers a bold and rich flavour profile.

My Tasting Impressions:
A woody smell on the nose, followed by fig and fruit cake flavours on the palate. It was sweet and spicy, and I really liked this one—it stood out enough that I ended up buying a bottle after visiting the distillery!

Dram 3: Two Stacks Fruit Drops – Apple Brandy Cask

ABV: 50%

A punchy and experimental whiskey finished in apple brandy casks.

My Tasting Impressions:
The nose was sweet, with vanilla and apple, but the taste leaned spicy, like apple drops. The aftertaste lingered quite a bit. This one wasn’t my favourite—just a bit too sharp for my palate.

Summary

This was a great tasting kit with three very different expressions. I enjoyed comparing them and discovering what suits my palate best. For me, the order of preference was clear:
1 – McConnell’s Sherry Cask
2 – Midleton Very Rare
3 – Two Stacks Apple Brandy Cask