Whisky: The Tyrconnell Single Malt Irish Whiskey
Producer: Beam-Suntory
Distillery: Cooley
Region: County Louth, Ireland
Whisky Type: Single Malt (100% malted barley from one distillery)
Age: None Age Statement (NAS)
ABV: 43%
Aged in Cask: Ex-Bourbon
Price Range: $

The Tyrconnell was an Irish single malt whiskey made in 1876 by Andrew Alexander Watt at Watt Distillery as a tribute to his chestnut colt, The Tyrconnell, for winning the prestigious The National Produce Stakes with odds of 100 – 1.

Watt Distillery intended the malt to be a single cask release, but the malt was so popular that it became the best-selling Irish Whiskey before prohibition in the United States and part of Watt distillery’s core range. Unfortunately, like many other Irish Whiskey distilleries, prohibition forced the distillery to close, and the brand disappeared.

In 1987, John Teeling founded the Cooley distillery outside the city of Dundalk, making it the first distillery to open in Ireland in over a century, in an industry dominated by the Irish Distillers Ltd (IDL), now Pernod Ricard.

In 1988, Cooley acquired the assets of Kilbeggan distillery and re-launched the Tyrconnell single malt in 1993. The distillery has a reputation for challenging the status quo. Unlike most Irish distilleries, Cooley double (rather than triple) distills its whiskies, and challenged the Scots with a peated Irish expression, such as Connemara, something very few Irish distilleries dared to do in the mid-90s. Other popular brands made at Cooley include Kilbeggan and Locke’s.

In 2012, John Teeling sold Cooley to Jim Beam, part of Beam-Suntory, and started Teeling Distillery with his sons Jack and Steven. Check here my review on the Teeling Small Batch.

The Tyrconnell Tasting Notes

The Tyrconnell does not have an age statement, but more than likely is a young whiskey (3 to 4-year-old), double distilled and bottled at 43% ABV.

• Nose: A distinctive grassy nose. Lemons, apples, and pears are identifiable aromas.
• Palate: A malt with a sweet and fruity arrival. Vanilla, honey, and more herbal notes are prominent on the palate.
• Finish: Long and cereal (malty) finish with caramel.

Conclusion on The Tyrconnell Single Malt

The Tyrconnell is a nice, easy to drink and straightforward single malt that can be a gateway whiskey to the Irish category for non-whiskey drinkers due to its well-rounded flavors of vanilla, honey, and citrus. The Scots would call this expression a breakfast whiskey, implying that it is suited for any time of the day. I would like to hear your thoughts about The Tyrconnell. Slainte!

Score: 3.25/5⭐

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