Tasting a peated Dunville ahead of the distillery's masterclass at Cork Whiskey Fest 24-26 March

Tasting a peated Dunville ahead of the distillery's masterclass at Cork Whiskey Fest 24-26 March

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Dunville's Belfast Peated Three Crowns Whiskey 43.5% ABV

A peated vintage blend of selected aged malt and grain whiskeys.. A quiet nose. Stunning texture. Beautiful delivery. Wonderful final kiss of smoke.

These are points that Dunville proclaim about the Peated Three Crowns whiskey. There is also an unpeated Three Crowns!

Hold it up to the light and you’ll notice the colour is a lighter than usual pale gold. Aromas are also on the delicate side, leaving a wisp of smoke to lead the way. Lively spices and light but definite smoke head up the palate, honey and apricot also in the posse, hints of aniseed, as we are led beautifully to the final stage, long and fruity and still that persistent yet friendly smoke. As they say, good things come to those who wait and, yes, this Dunville delivers quite a finalé.

 

A decade after a near 80 year absence, Dunville’s Irish Whiskey is well and truly back and it is more beautiful than ever. Dunville’s was born in 1808 and reborn 2012, with that long silence in between before the brand rebirth. This particular whiskey is a peated vintage blend of selected aged malt and grain whiskeys.

The excellent Celtic Whiskey site explains it in detail: “Comprised of a Single Grain Whiskey, a 10 Year Old Single Malt & a 15 Year Old Oloroso Sherry finished Single Malt which have been married together in a peated cask. A rare, delicately smoked Irish whiskey. Stunning!”

Master of Malts concur: “Exciting stuff, as peaty Irish whiskeys are not a common sight - and that's quite an understatement, frankly.”

Not sure that this particular whiskey will feature when Dunville visit Cork late in March for the Cork Whiskey Fest. Organisers tell me that Jarlath Watson’s Dunville’s Masterclasses have taken on “legendary status”. He always digs deep into the Echlinville Distillery’s stash of sherry bombs to blow people’s minds. Expect a lot!

The Echlinville Distillery, where Dunville is produced, is located on the Ards Peninsula in County Down near Ireland’s most easterly point. It is situated on the shores of Strangford Lough and it is surrounded by an internationally recognised Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Sounds like a great place to visit!

* The retail price seems to vary a bit - expect to pay 60-65 euro. I got my six ounces as a refill, part of the Hip Flask Club in Bradleys, North Main Street, Cork.

The Metropole will be a hive of activity during the Cork Whiskey Fest
24-26 March. Now over 125 years old, the hotel was "dry" for its early decades.
More info oin the festival, including tickets, here