Knappogue Castle – 1997/2022 24 Year Old Ex Libris Wind of Spices (70cl, 54.4%)

This is a 24 year old single cask Knappogue Castle, an Irish single malt distilled in 1997 and bottled in 2022 by La Maison du Whisky for its Ex Libris series. It comes in a 70cl bottle at a cask strength of 54.4% ABV, and the cask gave 526 bottles. The long sherry cask maturation shapes it, bringing dark fruit, chocolate and firm tannins. Wind of Spices belongs to the Irish selection of the Antipodes collection, which is dedicated to James Joyce. The whisky is non-chill-filtered and has no added colouring. The nose is lightly earthy, with wood and fruit cake, then dried apricot and a hint of rubber. The palate is full and weighty, with currants, walnuts, dates and creamy chocolate, and the finish is long and silky.