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July 2, 2009
Kensington Wine Market
Calgary, Canada
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July 17, 2009
Kensington Wine Market
Calgary, Canada
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October 16, 2009
WhiskyFest San Francisco
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November 10, 2009
WhiskyFest New York
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April 23, 2010
WhiskyFest Chicago
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Pricing information is up-to-date at time of review but may have changed: please check local retailers.
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Our whisky reviews are written by
John Hansell
Publisher & Editor, Malt Advocate magazine |
95-100
A classic! All components are balanced appropriately, with the complexity and character expected in a classic.
90-94
Outstanding! One of the best for its style. Distinctive.
80-89
Good to very good. Plenty of character and no identifiable flaws. Worth seeking out.
70-79
Average. No unique qualities. Flaws possible.
60-69
Below average. Major flaws. Avoid.
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88
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Knappogue Castle, 15 year old, 43% Price: $100.00
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To fully understand this new offering, let me offer a little Knappogue Castle background. The first few vintages of Knappogue (not counting the original 1951 vintage, which was from the B. Daly distillery) were from Ireland's Cooley distillery--including 1990, 1991, and 1992. Then the whiskeys were sourced from Bushmills. The 15 year old, reviewed below, is from the original Cooley stocks. Consider it an encore performance.
Knappogue Castle’s first non-vintage, and the oldest since the original 1951 vintage release. The whisky is from three different vintages—1990, 1991, and 1992—which were married together. I am pleased to see an older expression, because I have always felt that the previous releases, generally 10 years old or less, needed a little more time to blossom. Sweeter notes of peaches and cream, pineapple upside-down cake, banana bread, and vanilla wafer are balanced by a spicy, resinous dry finish. A textural whisky that coats the palate. My favorite of the post-1951 vintage Knappogues.
(2009 1st Quarter (Vol. 18, #1))
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88
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Knappogue Castle, 1992, 43% Price: $40.00
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Straw color. In both aroma and flavor, the whiskey is clean and delicate, with notes of creamy malt, vanilla, and subtle fruit. An enjoyable “anytime” whiskey that slowly reveals its charms the more you get to know it.
Style: Single malt Irish whiskey. Price: high $30s. Available nationwide. Imported by Great Spirits Co., 800/882-8140).
The third in a series of Knappogue whiskeys that were distilled at Ireland's Cooley distillery (the others being a 1991 and 1990 vintage). This one is fuller in flavor than the previous two, but not as distinctive. It's a very pleasant "anytime" dram.
(2000 1st Quarter (Vol. 9, #1))
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86
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Knappogue Castle, 1993, 43% Price: $35.00
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Straw gold color. Very clean aroma and flavor-malty, with vanilla, cotton candy, honey and subtle floral notes. Light in body and somewhat creamy in texture, with a soft, slightly youthful finish.
Style: Single malt Irish whiskey. Price: mid $30s. Available nationwide (imported by Great Spirits Co., 800/882-8140).
More Irish character than previous Knappogue bottlings, and quite mature for an eight year old whiskey. It is a touch youthful on the finish. While it is quite enjoyable now (and unbelievably drinkable), I would like to have seen this whiskey with another one to two years of aging to give it a little more depth and maturity on the finish.
(2002 2nd Quarter (Vol. 11, #2))
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86
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Knappogue Castle, 1995 vintage, 40% Price: $34.00
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The newest vintage from Knappogue Castle and, like the past two vintages, this one is from Bushmills. More maturity and oak influence when compared to the 1994. Floral, with creamy vanilla, toasted oak, honeyed malt, citrus fruit, and marshmallow. Soft, creamy finish with delicate oak spice. A clean, very drinkable whiskey, and my favorite of the post-Cooley Knappogues.
(2008 3rd Quarter (Vol. 17, #3))
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85
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Knappogue Castle, 1994 Vintage, 40% Price: $34.00
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The fifth vintage of Knappogue Castle and the second consecutive one comprised of whiskey from the Bushmills distillery. (The previous three were from the Cooley Distillery.) This one is very clean and quite soft on the palate, with a gentle sweetness throughout (fresh malt, vanilla, and honey). Floral and citrus notes offer a subtle pleasantness throughout. Soft, soothing creamy vanilla finish with hints of confectioners sugar and lightly toasted marshmallow. This is a pleasant, versatile Irish whiskey to have in your bar to serve neat, on the rocks, or in smart cocktails.
(2005 1st Quarter (Vol. 14, #1))
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