PX Series A 17 year old Single Malt Whiskey distilled in Cooley
Daithí O’Connell, is a sailor, pilot, barman and founder of W.D. O’Connell Whiskey Merchants. As I write this review, W.D. O’Connell is a one-man show. But what a show it has been…
In Scotland, indie bottlers are revered as being able to offer unique offerings from well-known, lesser-known and long-dead distilleries. In fact, indie bottlers are so important to Scotch whisky that the late, great whisky writer Michael Jackson said of bottlers Gordon & MacPhail that if it were not for this firm, single malts as we know them would not exist today.
It is in this mould that we see this firm – to be the biggest indie bottler in Ireland by 2035. Working with support from Bord Bia we hired a creative agency to design our brand – with his love of flight and sailing, a compass rose forms a central part of the brand, while the rest is based around family
Beyond that, we are envisioning a central hub, akin to Gordon & MacPhail’s Elgin headquarters, which would operate as a home for the brand. We are still looking for the right place for a brand home. It may well be a long road ahead for W.D. O’Connell – Gordon & MacPhail were founded 123 years ago, Cadenhead’s 148 years, but we are looking to build something that will outlive us long into the future.
W.D. O’Connell 17 Year Old Single Malt & Bill Phil
W.D. O’Connell 17 Year Old Single Malt Whiskey Review
This single malt is a beautifully smooth yet complex whiskey. The whiskey is Matured in 1st fill bourbon for 17 years, then in Pedro Ximénez sherry casks, Bottled at 46% , non chill filtered and limited to 370 bottles. A rich, complex, full bodied single malt that is subtly sweet on the finish.
This is the first ‘PX series’ release from W.D. O’Connell Whiskey Merchants – The beginning of a limited series of PX finished single malt Irish whiskeys.
Nose
Ripe red berries, candied tangerine skin, malted barley & vanilla dusted sultanas.
Palate
Vibrant red berry coulis – red wine tannins meet fresh citrus, juicy redcurrants & tangy raspberry. Orchards fruits, light spice & oak tannins are intertwined with the Pedro Ximenez influence.
Finish
A PX laden creamy mouth coating, delivering enough sweetness & weight to carry the red berries on long after the dram is gone.
Where to drink W.D. O’Connell 17 Year Old Single Maltkey
Dick Mack’s Pub and newly opened Brewhouse in Dingle, Co Kerry, is a place where people go for the craic, and to fill themselves on local beer, fine whiskey and live music. Dick Mack’s has been serving up liquid refreshments since 1899. As a dual-function pub you will find beer and a fine selection of whiskeys on one half of the bar, and a leather shop on the other. Explore the bar and adjoining rooms where the Mac Donnell family lived until recent times, or just get tucked into one of the snugs in the bar and absorb the atmosphere of this unchanged Irish pub.
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