Knappogue Castle 1994 Vintage Irish Whiskey

[Virginia Gentleman]

I had a chance to try Knappogue Castle 1993 vintage this weekend at a tasting and I liked it. I noticed that Jim Murray scores the 1994 vintage 95 points and I am interested in your thoughts of this single malt.

Scott

[Frodo]

Well, when I try it at the Summerhill TT, I'll let you know...

[Aidan]

He marks it that hight because he was involved in selecting the whiskey for vatting. It's pretty nice, but that's about it, in my opinion, of course.

[bamber]

Very fresh and clean Bushmills malt. Better than Bushmills standard OB's IMO, but you've got to like the Bushmills flavour profile to enjoy it IMO.

If you're a fan of Bushmills single malts I would run out and get it. Otherwise don't bother.

[irishwhiskeychaser]

Jim Murray has a major imput in the blending of these Knappogue expressions but I fine them rather light also. Bushmills have created the last 3 runs. 1993 version the 1994 version and the second 1994 release (but there is no inference on the label to this effect) So basically you could have 2 1994 expressions which are slightly different. I presume this was because there was no or limited stock available for a 1995 release. 2006 now so I wonder will they have a 1996 version???? Keep the eyes peeled folks

[Aidan]

Hi Adrian

I don't think the versions came out year-by-year, so I still expect that there will be a 1995 version. They're probably waiting for Jim Murray to return from his holidays... I wonder will the change in ownership of Bushmills affect the brand?

[Virginia Gentleman]

He marks it that hight because he was involved in selecting the whiskey for vatting. It's pretty nice, but that's about it, in my opinion, of course.

I was aware of his involvement with this whiskey. I hope that didn't have anything to do with the high score. If it did he would lose a lot of credibility with me.

[Deactivated Member]

VG, don't you think that, if JM was involved in the vatting, he would do his best to make the best whiskey possible? Of course he gives it a high score. He made it the way he likes it! Seems perfectly natural to me--it would be pretty strange otherwise. I would only wish that in such instances he (or anyone else in similar position) would make full disclosure every single time he as much as mentions the product. (Not having the Bible close at hand, I don't know if he does or not.)

[Virginia Gentleman]

VG, don't you think that, if JM was involved in the vatting, he would do his best to make the best whiskey possible? Of course he gives it a high score. He made it the way he likes it! Seems perfectly natural to me--it would be pretty strange otherwise. I would only wish that in such instances he (or anyone else in similar position) would make full disclosure every single time he as much as mentions the product. (Not having the Bible close at hand, I don't know if he does or not.)

I don't have his Bible in front of me but I believe he does disclose that he took part in making this whiskey.

[Aidan]

Yes, he does say he was involved with this one in the whisky bible. . And I've said exactly that before, ie he would naturally like something he chose himself. I don't know anyone else who would rate this whiskey so highly, though.

It is a nice dram, all the same.

[alebuff]

....they were giving away free tasters of the 1994 at Cork airport yesterday !!!

[Aidan]

Yes, he does say he was involved with this one in the whisky bible. . And I've said exactly that before, ie he would naturally like something he chose himself. I don't know anyone else who would rate this whiskey so highly, though.

It is a nice dram, all the same.

And I've noticed I said "dram"...

What did you make of it, alebuff?

[cathach]

This might sound it a bit odd, but I found the oak influence that caused JM to mark down the 1994(2nd) quite enjoyable. It's almost like a dry white wne of a whiskey, really crisp and sharp citrus.

[IainB]

Yes, he does say he was involved with this one in the whisky bible. . And I've said exactly that before, ie he would naturally like something he chose himself. I don't know anyone else who would rate this whiskey so highly, though.

It is a nice dram, all the same.

And I've noticed I said "dram"...

What did you make of it, alebuff?

I noticed that too!

[bamber]

I was just about to say almost exactl what I said 2 years ago !

[michael Foggarty]

you should give the 1995 a try far better than the 1994, it is 12 years old bushmills, not often you get to see that.

[Aidan]

That's true. Is one of those irishman whiskies a 12 year old Bushmills? How old is the Brogan's?

[michael Foggarty]

From what im told The Irishman single malt is actually a Midleton Single Malt. Yes it says "blessed by the Waters of St Colums Rill" Bushmills water source, but thats could mean they just use the water to bring the strenght down when they bottle it at Bushmills bottling plant, which had tripled in size under IDL before they sold Bushmills to Diageo, so Bushmills can run a bottling business at present due to the enormous capacity. How long this will go on for is unknown because Bushmills are massively uping production and and are currenty building new 22,000 cask wearhouses at a rate of 1 per year and are about to add another still.
There is no age statement on the bottle so i would asume it is quite young. However it doesnt remind me(thank god!) of the last Midleton Malt Erin Go Brath (6 years old).

Brogan's is a 10 year old, although there is no "10" on the label it has "for a decade aged". It is one of my favourite independent Irish whiskeys.

[Aidan]

Very interesting. I thought the Erin Go Bragh was inoffencive, but not great. I still have a bottle.

Do they put Midleton malt or Bushmills malt in Powers? I know there is a deal between the distilleries.

[Aidan]

By Powers, I mean Paddy...

[michael Foggarty]

Not to sure, but im bound to come across the answers in my research, im hoping to head down to Midleton in the next few weeks.

[IainB]

If you go to the Irishman website it says that the Malt whiskey is made in Bushmills. Here's the link:

http://www.hotirishman.com/The-Irishman-Single-Malt-15.htm

I only looked at this yesterday as I was very excited to think it might be from Midleton but thought, for once, I'd do some research before impulse buying.

[IainB]

By Powers, I mean Paddy...

Maybe you were thinking of Paddy Power - are you a gambling man?

[Aidan]

It's not a gamble when I place a bet. I always lose.

[michael Foggarty]

your right Ian, but when i spoke to their sales rep a few weeks ago he assured me it was Midleton Malt, A call to the right people this morning suggest that the sale rep is a bit of a plonker and maybe got confused with the new 70% blend !

[DavidH]

If you go to the Irishman website it says that the Malt whiskey is made in Bushmills. Here's the link:

http://www.hotirishman.com/The-Irishman-Single-Malt-15.htm

That has changed in the last week or so then. It did say "Midleton" but I suspect they really meant IDL and the malt actually came from Bushmills when it was under the same umbrella.

[michael Foggarty]

looks like they dont know what their selling, it has been repackaged and no longer claims to be peaty(even though it wasnt !) like i said earlier it doesnt remind me of Midleton Malt but it didnt taste like a Bushmills either (over dose of carmel in this).

For the record anyone wanting to try Erin Go Brath can buy it at the 51 Bar on Haddington Road, D4 Dublin for a measly €5 a shot, okay not worth it for quality but this is a collectors item these days. Midleton Malt also appears in Coole Swan Cream Liqueur - but dont hold me to it, a sales rep told me this !