Glendalough Madeira Single Cask Review
In-Depth Review
Glendalough has been on a bit of a roll lately. With many folks absolutely loving their Double Barrel offering, their Mizunara, and other more limited expressions, Glendalough has decided to slowly dip its feet into the single cask market. But instead of high proof single casks, Glendalough has taken the unusual step of making their series of single casks much lower proof. Their single casks include Burgundy, Madeira, Calvados, and others – all bottled at 42% ABV.
Today we are going to dive into their Madeira single cask expression. It retails for around $40, which feels like a great deal for a finished single cask from a smaller distillery in Ireland. Aged for 3 years in ex-bourbon barrels before spending an unspecified amount of time in sherry casks, this is ultimately finished off in a Canteiro aged Madeira wine cask. I found the Glendalough 7 Year Mizunara one of the most unusual whiskies I’ve tasted this year, so I am excited to dive into this one to find out if it’s worth the plunge!
Age: (NAS)
ABV: 42%
Cask: Bourbon cask, then Sherry, finished in Madeira wine casks
MSRP: $40
Distillery Name: Glendalough
Review Date: 9/14/23
Color: Pale Copper
Nose: The nose starts off with a light lemon peel and heavy cream but is almost tough to detect at first. A touch of the Madeira is present, but its well-restrained. As it settles, more raspberries, plum, and orange zest come through.
Palate: On the first taste its apparent the Madeira has had a lot more influence on the palate. There are more rich red fruits, honey, cooked plums, and remains zesty and fruit forward. There’s a hint of French vanilla and caramel, but the mouthfeel is a letdown. It feels watery and thin and disappears quickly into the finish. The red wine is felt on the palate but is balanced well with lively, bright notes.
Finish: Much more drying on the finish, with more wood spice and a green, vegetal note. It’s a short finish where the dryness takes over as the sweetness of the palate quickly recedes. There is no lingering heat, but the dry nature of the finish keeps me from going in immediately for another sip.
Final Thoughts: Glendalough Single Cask Madeira finish is a whiskey that doesn’t live up to its lofty expectations. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this whiskey – but it is probably best reserved for someone who has slowly started dipping their toes into finishes whiskies rather than a die-hard connoisseur. It’s low proof, young age, and likely short amount of time in Madeira all lead to a largely unremarkable single cask experience. If you’re unsure if Madeira is for you, this is a great way to start exploring as the effect of the Madeira is there – without being overpowering. But if you’re looking for a heavy, rich, dessert whiskey, you may want to look elsewhere.
