Slane – Triple Casked (70cl, 40%)

Slane Triple Casked is an Irish blended whiskey made from grain and malt whiskeys matured in new oak, former Tennessee whiskey casks and Oloroso sherry casks. The whiskeys from the three cask types are only married after maturation, so the name refers to three cask influences rather than three successive stages. New oak brings roasted oak and vanilla, the Tennessee casks add caramel, plum, banana and butterscotch, and the Oloroso casks contribute raisins and spice. It is bottled at 40%. The nose is fruity, with caramel, butterscotch, vanilla, baking spices and toasted oak. The palate opens with spice, then strong caramel and vanilla, carried by pronounced dried fruit. The finish keeps dried fruit and a sweetness like caramelised wood sugar.