Whisky Review/Tasting: West Cork Rum 12 Years

Physical Whisky Characteristics

Origin: West Cork, Ireland.
Type: Irish Whiskey finished in rum casks.
Distillation & Maturation: The whiskey is aged for 12 years, with a portion of this time spent finishing in rum casks sourced from the West Indian Isles. The exact duration in rum casks and the type of casks used prior are not specified.
Age Statement: 12 years.
Alcohol by Volume: 34% (68 proof), which seems to be a typographical error in the transcript as standard whiskey proof would be double the ABV, suggesting it should be 68% ABV (136 proof) or more likely meant to be 43% ABV (86 proof).
Color and Clarity: Not explicitly described, but the whiskey is noted as not being chill-filtered or colored, implying a natural appearance.
Bottle Design: Specific design details are not mentioned, but the bottle is noted to be sealed with parafilm for long-term storage, indicating a focus on preservation.

Overall Profile: Extremely sweet with a dominant marzipan flavor, accompanied by notes of cotton candy, caramel, and candied fruits. The rum cask finishing contributes significantly to the sweetness, with sugary, light, and fresh characteristics.
Unique Characteristics: The whiskey has a distinctive marzipan and candied fruit profile, which sets it apart from other whiskies. The influence of the rum cask adds a layer of complexity with sugary and light rum notes.
Comparison: While not directly compared to other whiskies, its unique flavor profile of marzipan, candied fruits, and rum cask influence suggests it would stand out among traditional Irish whiskies.

Distillery Background: The West Cork Distillery is highlighted, with a suggestion to visit whiskey.com for more information. Specific anecdotes or stories about the distillery or the production of this whiskey are not provided in the transcript.

Rum Cask Sourcing: The rum casks are sourced from the West Indian Isles, adding an interesting layer of cultural and geographical influence to the whiskey. However, the exact location within the West Indian Isles is not specified.

"Very sugary like marzipan" and "definitely candy somehow with a little around it very sugary and very very sweet" - These quotes emphasize the exceptionally sweet flavor profile of the whiskey.
The host suggests using parafilm for proper long-term storage of whiskey bottles, indicating a focus on preservation and quality.

West Cork Rum 12 Years is an Irish whiskey finished in rum casks from the West Indian Isles, characterized by its exceptionally sweet flavor profile, with dominant notes of marzipan and candied fruits.
The whiskey is aged for 12 years, non-chill filtered, and non-colored, with an ABV that is likely to be 43% (86 proof).
The unique flavor profile is heavily influenced by the rum cask finishing, making it distinct from traditional Irish whiskies.
The West Cork Distillery is mentioned, with a recommendation to visit whiskey.com for more information, though specific stories or anecdotes about the whiskey are not provided.
The whiskey's packaging includes the use of parafilm for preservation, indicating a focus on maintaining quality over time.

Sweet Flavor Lovers: Individuals who enjoy exceptionally sweet and dessert-like whiskies will likely find the West Cork Rum 12 Years appealing due to its marzipan and candied fruit flavors.
Irish Whiskey Enthusiasts: Fans of Irish whiskey looking to explore variations that include unique cask finishes might appreciate the distinct profile offered by the rum cask finishing.
Rum Enthusiasts: Those with a preference for rum might find the sugary, light characteristics influenced by the rum casks intriguing as a crossover into whiskey.
Whiskey Collectors: Collectors interested in whiskies with unique flavor profiles or those finished in non-traditional casks might consider adding this to their collection for its distinctiveness and the preservation focus indicated by the packaging.