Save R7 Release Single Malt Whiskey (Cooley) Cask #WI20220041R

Save R7 Release Single Malt Whiskey (Cooley) Cask #WI20220041R

Region: Ireland

ABV: 57.9%

Price: ???

Triple distilled Irish malt whiskey from Cooley Distillery. It was matured in Ireland for three years, then underwent an additional maturation in Taiwan for 951 days, from 2022 to 28 September 2024, in an Amontillado hogshead. While the liquid is older than three years, the age statement can only reflect the time it was matured in Ireland, as any maturation outside the country doesn’t count.

Nose

The nose is initially a little closed off, with notes of fresh air, sea spray, and fresh cut grass. There is icing sugar and strawberry yoghurt, along with a slight off note, like soured cream. Leaving it to sit in the glass for a few minutes brings out some cinnamon spice, a touch of ethanol, and a little vanilla, though it remains a little tight. There are also hints of tropical fruit, such as pineapple, but they are not particularly intense. We’re not really getting much Sherry from this.

Palate

The palate opens with banana and plantain, followed by dried mango and a generic sugar syrup sweetness. There is a hint of pineapple on the mid palate A ginger spice builds on the finish, which is a good length, along with that sweetness. The mouthfeel is good. There’s not a lot here to give away its age, although it tastes a little more like a rum to us than a whiskey. Going back and there is also a touch of limoncello. Overall, it is inoffensive, but a bit confused.

Nose (with water)

Water brings out cherry and passion fruit, reminiscent of a pornstar martini. There is now very little in the way of spice or ethanol. We also get toffee, warm butter, and butterscotch. We’re definitely getting more of the cask now.

Palate (with water)

With water more toffee comes through on the palate, along with more spice on the finish. Mouthfeel is diminished slightly. Unfortunately there’s also now a note here that reminds us of vomit fruit.

Conclusion

It is a bit of an oddity, this one, but not one we are massive fans of. We are usually fans of Irish whiskey, but here the additional maturation has not added anything particularly positive. We are at a 5.5 for this one, though we are rarely fans of whisky matured in Taiwan, and others may well enjoy this more than we did.

Score: 5.5/10

Value

We couldn’t find a bottle price for this, but if any of our readers know please drop us a message.

• 10 - Perfection. One in a million
• 9 - Outstanding. Exceptional whisky.
• 8 - Great. Would seek this out.
• 7 - Good. Quality whisky.
• 6 - Above average. Happy to have a dram.
• 5 - Average. Drinkable whisky.
• 4 - Below average. Passable.
• 3 - Flawed. Noticeable negatives.
• 2 - Defective. Significant faults.
• 1 - Offensive. Pour it out.

If you like what you’ve read then check out our social media (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram) to get notifications of when we post a new review or just to chat about whisky with us.