Maurice and Jonathan Egan have done it again. Not only have they managed to revive Egan’s Irish Whiskey, they have brought it from strength to strength. Last year they released a higher end offering known as Legacy Reserve 1 that was aged for 15 years. Now the Reserve is back, a year older and with a unique finishing time in ex-French wine casks.
The new Egan’s Legacy Reserve 2, has been aged for 16 years in ex-American bourbon barrels. It was then finished in ex-Banyuls casks, which were used to age a sweet wine made from old vine grapes on the slopes of the Catalan Pyrenees in France. The production process, known in France as mutage, is similar to that used to make Port. Alcohol is added to the must to halt fermentation while sugar levels are still high, preserving the natural sweetness of the grape. The wines are then matured in oak barrels. The resulting flavor profile has a chocolate nose and a sweet and fruity palate that concludes with a slight cassis finish.
Egan’s Irish Whiskey now plans for a very limited 1,000 bottles of this Irish whiskey to be released. Bottled at 46% ABV this Single malt has a mash bill that is 100% barley, It’s non-chill filtered, and aged in American bourbon casks for 16 years. An unmistakeable Irish Single Malt with hints of dark chocolate , cream and charred oak. . It comes in a higher end bottle that’s encased in a beautiful display box.
“The first release of the Legacy Reserve series received such a tremendous reception by whiskey drinkers and critics that we sold through most of the stock almost immediately. In keeping with the Egan’s brand heritage of crafting ground-breaking, innovative expressions, we plan to introduce a new iteration of the Legacy Reserveseries every year, with each release unique in its own way via different approaches to finish or aging.”
John Ralph, CEO of Intrepid Spirits
NOSE
The nose is creamy, soft and bold at the same time. It’s incredibly well balanced, remarkably fragrant, with dark woody depths. The sweet cream and bright lemon zest sit over a soft layer of peppercorn and charred oak.
PALATE
Egan’s Legacy Reserve 2 is creamy, silky and has a very full mouthfeel. The front has bright citrus notes, like a Lemon-Pear marmalade. The flavour develops on your palate like sweet whipped cream and black pepper, flowing over chocolate notes of dark woods, almonds and cherry.
FINISH
The finish lingers for a long time, dissipating slowly into sweeter wood and pear flavors. Dark almond chocolate cake comes to mind, lashings of shaved spices, thick chocolate covered in cherries and caramel. The long finish fades with notes that are more like damp sugary oak, savory toast and deep smokey memories.
Where to Drink: Egan’s Legacy 2 Whiskey Review
The Brewery Tap in Tullamore is a landmark pub situated in the heart of Tullamore town. It is Tullamore’s first licenced premises dating back to the 1700s. The Tap is regarded as a premium pub that prides itself on great service, great food and a super array of drinks. Tullamore has a huge history of distilling and The Tap was actually once owned by the P&h Egan family who were famous distillers back in the day. The pub has now very close links with the William Grant family who now own Tullamore Dew. The Tap is filled with whiskey memorabilia and it has recently dedicated a large part of the back bar to hold our vast selection of Irish whiskeys. Whiskey tourism has become a large reason for bringing so many additional tourists to Tullamore and The Brewery Tap is honored to embrace this and enhance tourists visits to this great Town.
Every Whiskey Tells a Story, What Will Yours Be?
Sláinte from The Whiskey Trail
#EatDrinkExplore – by Paul Kavanagh
Leave a Reply