The Silkie Irish Whiskey (70cl, 46%)

The Silkie is a blended Irish whiskey from Sliabh Liag Distillers of County Donegal, in a 70cl bottle at 46%. It brings together double and triple distilled single malts, soft grain whiskey and a small share of peated malt. The whiskeys were chosen from other Irish distilleries while the company's own distillery was still being built. The double distilled malt matured in sherry casks, and the corn grain whiskey in new oak and re-charred casks. It is non-chill-filtered and has no added colour. The name comes from a Donegal coast legend of seal people who shed their skins. On the nose there are fresh green apples and gentle malt, turning honeyed and buttery. The palate is very soft, with warm honeyed gingerbread, orange peel, brioche and buttered popcorn. The finish is warming, with a very fine trace of peat.