Whisky: J.J. Corry Irish Whiskey “The Gael”
Producer: Chapel Gate Irish Whiskey Company
Distillery: Undisclosed (multiple)
Whisky Type: Irish Blend
Region: County Clare, Ireland
Age: NAS
ABV: 46% (Non-Chill Filtered)
Cask: ex-bourbon, ex-sherry
Price Range: $$

J.J. Corry is a brand of Irish Whiskey sourced from several distilleries in Ireland by Chapel Gate Irish Whiskey Company. The founder Louis McGuane came from a family of farmers in County Clare, Ireland, and decided to make a career in the drinks industry by working all over the world for multi-national beverage companies such as Diageo and Pernod Ricard. After twenty years, she went home and started a company using the family farm as the center of her business model, whisky bonding.

The mission of the whisky bonding model is to create new expressions that do not exist in the market by sourcing whiskies from multiple distilleries, blending, and aging in-house (i.e., the family farm), an Irish tradition that dates back in Ireland since the 1800s. Unfortunately, the collapse of the Irish Whiskey industry right after prohibition led to bonders closing their doors as distillers wanted to keep control of their whiskey supply.

From the website:

“When we set out to understand the methodologies of Whiskey Bonders of the 1800’s we didn’t have to look too far. Only 3 miles away from our farm was once a renowned whiskey bonder called J.J. Corry. J.J. was an innovator and a man before his time. His little shop at 63 Henry St. Kilrush was a key part of the local community and the only place where you could buy J.J.’s pride whiskey, “Corry’s Special Malt.” It was available by the glass for 3 pennies or by the jar.”

The Irish Blend pays tribute to J.J. Corry, a succcesful merchant and innovator that is credited with his own bicycle design, “The Gael”, after which the company named its first blend.

The composition of the blend is 60% malt whiskey and 40% grain whiskey from undisclosed distilleries. However, Louis gives his followers a clue about the origin of the blend by saying that the whiskies came from distilleries that made whiskey between 1991 and 2010. Based on this statement, the following distilleries come to mind: Cooley-Kilbeggan, Midleton, and Bushmills.

For more details about the rise and fall of Irish Whiskey click here.

Now the Tasting Notes for J.J. Corry Irish Blend Irish Whiskey

Nose: Apples, oranges, and vanilla aromas.

Palate: Sweet and fresh arrival of apples, vanilla, and more apples developing into ginger, pepper, and spicy notes. The texture is oily, light, and very enjoyable. A delicious whiskey.

Finish: Long and slightly bitter, spicy and oaky.

Conclusion: J.J. Corry is a delicious Irish Blend with a personality that does a great job transitioning from apples to bitter and spicy flavors without any of these dominating the experience. I highly recommend it. Lovely stuff! Slainte!

Score: 4/5 ⭐

If you like Irish whiskey, you may check many reviews here.

Legend
$50 or less $
$51-$100 $$
$101-$150 $$$
$151 or more $$$$