Lambay @TweetTastings

There seems to be a lot or Irish @TweetTastings this year - I guess that's because there are a lot of new Irish distilleries and Independent Bottlers coming online.

Lambay Whiskey is one such bottler and we're getting to try 2 of their releases.

Lambay is a small island just off the coast of Dublin, Ireland, it's famous for its puffins - hence the logo!

In 2018 the island's owners the Baring family decided to create a whiskey and sourced grain and malt whisky to mature on the island. The whiskey is then diluted to a slightly disappointing 40% ABV with water from their own Trinity Well water and finished in French Oak Cognac casks from Camus, France. There is a Cask Strength version coming out soon.

The 2 dram's we received were:

Blend (40% ABV) : A blend of grain whiskey and Triple distilled Single Malt Whiskey, bourbon cask matured and finished in cognac casks carried across the sea from the world-renowned cellars of Cognac House Camus. Lambay’s own volcanic Trinity Well water is added at the final stage of finishing before bottling, this is a whiskey as unique as the island that inspires it.

Aroma: Floral, Citrus and Lingering Spiciness 

Taste: Cracked Almonds, Pepper, Malt, Floral 

Finish: Spiciness with Lingering Sweetness

Single Malt (40% ABV) : 100% malt spirit, triple distilled, bourbon cask matured and finished in cognac casks that have been racked in our bonded warehouse the Sea Cask Room, exposed to the bracing sea air on the shoreline of Lambay Island. Trinity Well water from Lambay is added at the final finish, making this whiskey as unique as the island itself!

Aroma: Malt, Green Fruits, Floral, Ripe Bananas 

Taste: Coconut, Malt, Dried Berries/Fruits 

Finish: Long Lasting Malt with Lingering sweetness and Green Fruits

Small Batch Blend at 40% my thoughts:

Appearance: light gold in the glass, swirls fall as fast thick legs. Initial nose: Orchard fruit with a citrus fizz

Nose: orchard fruit - pears, apples, some honey sweetness, a little hazelnut and a touch of citrus.

Palate: very smooth arrival very sweet, with a big kick of ginger spice. The orchard fruit from the nose is back along with the honey and a drying icing sugar note. A few more sips offers some tropical notes - a little dried pineapple dusted in icing sugar.

Finish: short and sweet with a little gingery spice bite. A nice sipper if you like sweet whisky.

Single Malt at 40% ABV my thoughts:

Appearance: a darker gold colour in the glass, swirls again fall as fast thick legs. Initial nose - vanilla and toffee

Nose: not as sweet as the SBB, more of a watered down bourbon - vanilla, toffee and a little banana. Some orchard fruit and again that little fizz of citrus. A little time in the glass offers berry and cherry notes.

Palate: again a smooth almost buttery arrival, the sweetness from the SBB is back - lots of spiced honey. Tropical fruit - pineapple & banana and dark chocolate hints..

Finish: Sweet sherry like notes dominate with a little spice and hints of tropical fruit. Again a nice dram if you like sweet whiskey.



Many thanks to @TheWhiskyWire for organising and @LambayWhiskey for sharing their drams!