So, another Irish whisky has arrived, named “Hyde” and sold by the ‘Hibernia’ Distillers Company. They are actually setting up a distillery based in Cork , but this whisky was sourced from another distillery (most likely Cooley). There is not a lot of info about the “Hibernia” company as their site is still under construction.
The Hyde 10 Year Old “No. 1 Presidents Cask” is limited edition single malt Irish whiskey – quite a small batch of just 5,000 bottles. It’s bottled in honor of Douglas Hyde, the first President of Ireland from 1938 to 1945. The whiskey was initially matured in ex-bourbon barrels before being finished in first-fill Oloroso sherry casks. It’s bottled at 46% and is NCF.
Hyde 10 Year Old No. 1 Presidents Cask, 46.0% , £50
Nose: A very nice sweetish, sort of nose, with a creamy touch, as well as sweet sherry influence that comes from the sherry Oloroso finishing casks. Orange, dried fig, raisin and spice with a touch of tinned apricot and malt.
Palate: Quite sweet and warming, very inviting, if not ultra complex. It’s a dram that you will enjoy drinking, also without trying to analyze it. Fruity too with Banana, peaches and apple peel, chocolate and baking spices.
Finish : Vanilla, dried fruit, and spice on the finish.
I was not expecting much, and this whisky, although not very “Irish” like, did surprise me for the better. It is indeed tasty, and easy drinking stuff, you can find yourself polishing most of the bottle in a session with friends for sure.
I know there’s now a second batch of this on sale, but have not tasted it to date. That would be interesting to see how they vary. 50 quid is not bad, but surely you can get better whiskies for less.