Connemara Peated Single Malt (Irland)

Aroma: Smoke and fresh herbs. Sweet aromas and a hint of oak in the background.

Taste: Honey, fruits, and malt. The peat smoke pleasantly lingers.

Finish: Long and pleasant.

The Connemara Peated is a single malt whiskey from Ireland. It is named after the stunningly beautiful region in the west of Ireland. It is an absolute exception in Ireland, as Irish whiskey is usually unpeated, meaning not smoky. The malt for Connemara Peated is dried over peat fires, as the English name 'Peated' already suggests. 'Peat' means 'turf'. Through the drying process of the malt over peat fires, the smoky aromas are transferred into the malt and the later whiskey. This method is more common with Scottish smoky whiskeys. The Connemara is also double distilled, which is also rather unusual in Ireland. Most Irish whiskeys are triple distilled. The double distillation retains many full and robust aromas in the Connemara Peated, the smoke remains pronounced but pleasant. Thus, the Connemara Peated, with its very complex character but low price, becomes a true value-for-money winner. A must for any whiskey collection!

At the World Whiskies Awards 2014, it was awarded the best Irish single malt in the category of whiskeys without age statement.