6/2008 THE TYRCONNELL SINGLE MALT IRISH WHISKEY
What's in a name? Well, in this instance, plenty. Most obviously, THE TYRCONNELL refers to an area in the northwest of Ireland, an area now partially comprised of County Donegal. THE TYRCONNELL also refers to the former familial kingdom located in this same area that was ruled by the famed O'Donnell clan, who took battle to the much despised English in the late 1500s. (For a quickie introduction, surf here.) THE TYRCONNELL also is the name of a horse run by the Watt family, a 100 to 1 long-shot that won the National Produce Stakes in 1876. The Watt family, as you may have guessed, were the same Watts who ran the distillery that made a brand of whiskey called, yes, THE TYRCONNELL.

And, perhaps most importantly to our dipsofilial readers, is that THE TYRCONNELL also refers to a single malt Irish whiskey that is made by the COOLEY DISTILLERY, the same company that produces CONNEMARA, KILBEGGAN, GREENORE, and other interesting Irish whiskeys. THE TYRCONNELL is a marvelous whiskey. Bottled at 80 proof, it's rich and silky, offering notes of orange, chocolate, and sweet barley. It seems much more robust than when we first tasted it. back in 2002. It's not dry any more; it really lingers after the swallow. Serve it on the rocks if you must, but take it neat to get the full range of flavors. (Rating ****1/2)

To see if our retailer can sell you a bottle of THE TYRCONNELL, click here. Otherwise, surf to http://www.TyrconnellWhiskey.com/.

Labels: Ireland, Irish Whiskey - Single Malt, Tyrconnell