Silkie Blended Irish Whiskey Review

let’s begin

Sliabh Liag Distillers are bringing distilling back to Donegal. With that they’ve brought us Silkie, an irresistibly smooth Irish whiskey blend.

The Myth, the Legend

Named for mythical seals that come ashore and transform into enticing maidens, Silkie is surrounded with legend.

It is created in the Sliabh Liag Distillery (pronounced Sleave League). The distillery an its surroundings are quintessentially Irish.

They are based on the peninsula of Sliabh Liag, which is a mountain on Ireland’s west coast. It sits alongside the now very famous Wild Atlantic Way. The goal was to bring distilling back to Donegal, where it hasn’t happened in 175 years.

It was started by James and Moira Doherty and James Keith. The trio have extensive experience in the drinks industry and are truly passionate what they are doing at Sliabh Liag.

So far the distillery has focussed on gin but is branching into whiskey distilling. They have plans in place to build a new distillery, the Ardara Distillery, hoping to open in 2020.

silkie

Silkie is Sliabh Liag’s first blended whiskey. They have a single malt and a single pot still as well.

This is a promising start for the distillers and proves their aptitude in creating brilliant drams. It has already won gold at the China Wine and Spirits Awards and the Irish Whiskey Masters.

Tasting notes for Silkie Blended Irish Whiskey

Bottle cost: £29.95

The nose begins with crisp orchard fruits and smooth honeyed sweetness. There is a delicate tartness of cooking apples, with little nods towards pears and apricots along the way.

The pate is full of citrus fruits, milk chocolate, thick pastry and butterscotch. It is brilliantly sweet and gentle.

There is a lovely soft biscuity note as well, with hints of oats and sweet barley. These flavours are mellow and go perfectly with the sweetness.

The blend rounds off on a gentle spice, with an earthy quality to it.

The finish is long but easy going, with more sweetness and a hint of oak wood.

This is a very good start for the Sliabh Liag Distillers. We can only hope there is more of this to come.

What do you think of Sliabh Liag’s Silkie? Let us know in the comments!

Tags: DonegalIrish WhiskySilkieSliabhLiag Distillers

Greg

My name is Greg, and I’m a brand strategy consultant, writer, speaker, host and judge specialising in premium spirits. My mission is to experience, share and inspire with everything great about whisky, whiskey, gin, beer and fine dining through my writing, my brand building and my whisky tastings.