Samuel Gelston’s Irish Single Pot Still Whiskey is a whiskey made by a single distillery from a mixture of malted and unmalted barley, distilled together in a traditional copper pot still. It is not a blend, it is not a Single Malt, it is a completely unique expression that is full of body & character.
Gelston’s Whiskey
Appearance
This whiskey is damp straw in colour, it coats the glass with a film that turns into slow medium thick legs, and teardrops forming on the thick swirl line.
Nose
It noses higher than 40% ABV to be honest, and initially there’s white pepper, seared pineapple chunks, apricots, wood shavings, and nosing with my mouth open I’m getting espresso coffee and black liquorice on the back of my palate.
With more time there’s wood varnish, linseed oil, a nuttiness, and a foresty feel too. Wood oil and bitter lemon close the nose.
Palate
A slightly oily mouthfeel opens the palate, and brings linseed oil with it, sweet and bitter lemon also, there is also a grain/cereal element and they come together to create a lemon Bakewell tart for me. Medium spiciness comes through also, with white pepper, green grapes, a touch of grapefruit/pomelo bitterness too, and a faint cranberry drying.
More time brings a lovely mouth and chest warming sensation, it’s become a little more spicy now, a touch of ginger root, cinnamon heat, and star anise bring us to the finish.
Finish
Long side of medium in length for me, it’s lovely and warming, and is still quite spicy. Cask char, espresso, cigar leaves, cinnamon, caramel and a floral flush too. I’m sure I’m getting a touch of salinity also, but it’s so faint.
My thoughts
Even though i’m well aware of Gelston’s whiskey this is the first Samuel Gelston whiskey i have actually tried, and i’m a fan of Pot Still whiskey in general, so i was really looking forward to trying it. I have to say that i really enjoyed it, at 40% ABV i find it quite flavourful, but needs a little time to tease all of the aromas and flavours out of it, it’s worth waiting for in my opinion.
Would i buy a bottle?
For me it’s a definite yes. At around £22 a bottle it’s a no brainer to be honest. It fills the roll of sipper very well, and offers more if you fancy hanging around with it.
Thanks to Jade and Charlie of @dram_aholics fame for the sample.
Follow @Dram_aholicsAnd now for something completely different
Continuing my whisk(e)y and music thing, songs iv’e listened to either during my tasting or review. I hope you enjoy this one.
16 Volt – Suffering you.
