Cooley 1999 Thosop

Cooley is the Irish distillery were classics such as Locke’s, Tyrconnel, Greenore, Kilbeggan and the peated Connemara are distilled. Thosop is the label of ex-Malt Maniac Luc Timmermans, currently run by Dominiek Bouckaert. It is the first Irish whiskey that is bottled under their celebrated Handwritten Label.

The nose is soft, but aromatic on all kinds of fruits, tangerines and pineapple are the most obvious. Lovely caramel. Quite waxy. Also some hay and even cow stables. In the background you will find the perfect dosage of peat, playing second fiddle. Unobtrusive, but indispensable.

On the palate, it becomes a lot smokier and heavily spiced. Salt, white pepper, liquorice and some ginger. Again, very fruity, with citrus in the lead. Vanilla as well. The oak gives it a great bittersweet lining. Every sip offers something new or so it seems. Very layered. Excellent balance.

The long and spicy finish allows the oak to speak again and it dies on delicate peat.

The discrete peat means this is an independent bottling of a soft Connemara. Maybe that is why Cooley sold the cask? Whatever the case, it is typical for Thosop to get their hands on this fantastic cask. Worth your while. Around 80 EUR.