WEST CORK 'Bog Oak Charred Cask' Single Malt Irish Whiskey Bottle (70cl) 43%abv

Description

IN BRIEF
West Cork Bog Oak Charred Cask Single Malt is a distinctive Irish whiskey finished in casks charred with ancient bog oak, delivering resinous smoke and maritime character. The nose shows ripe pear, baked apple, honey, vanilla and toasted oak with a subtle saline hint. On the palate it is full bodied and silky, opening with treacle and toffee before warm baking spice, cedar and a resinous bog oak smoke emerge. Mid palate reveals espresso, dark chocolate and light tobacco, balanced by a peat like earthiness and restrained tannins. The long finish leaves oak char, gentle smoke and dry cocoa fading to coastal salt. Best neat or with a few drops of water; pairs with grilled or smoked meats, mature cheddar and dark chocolate.

ABOUT THIS WHISKEY
West Cork Bog Oak Charred Cask Single Malt Irish Whiskey is a distinctive craft expression finished in casks charred with ancient bog oak to impart deep smoky and resinous character. Matured from carefully selected Irish single malt, it balances orchard fruit sweetness and rich caramel with coastal minerality and pronounced oak influence. The nose opens with ripe pear, baked apple and honey, layered with vanilla and toasted oak and a subtle saline note that hints at maritime air. On the palate it is full bodied and silky, offering treacle and toffee up front before evolving into warm baking spice, cedar and a resinous smoke from the bog oak char. That smoky element is more resinous than peaty, adding a tarry warmth that frames the malt rather than overwhelms it. Mid palate reveals espresso, dark chocolate and a light tobacco note that add depth and savoury contrast. A gentle peat like earthiness and restrained tannic structure provide balance and tension, keeping the sweetness in check. The finish is long and warming with lingering oak char, gentle smoke and a dry cocoa like resonance that fades to a clean coastal saltiness. Best enjoyed neat or with a few drops of water to open the aromatics, this whiskey suits contemplative sipping and also performs well in cocktails that benefit from smoke and complexity. It pairs especially well with grilled or smoked meats, mature cheddar and dark chocolate desserts. Presented as a considered limited release, West Cork Bog Oak Charred Cask Single Malt offers a theatrical, maritime smoky profile with layered malt sweetness and resinous oak that rewards slow exploration and repeated tasting.

Cocktail suggestions

1) Smoked Old Fashioned
60 ml West Cork Bog Oak Charred Cask Single Malt Irish Whiskey
8 to 12 ml demerara syrup or one sugar cube plus a dash of Angostura bitters
Stir with ice, strain into a rocks glass over one large ice cube. Garnish orange twist optional.

2) Bog Oak Boulevardier
45 ml West Cork Bog Oak Charred Cask Single Malt Irish Whiskey
30 ml sweet vermouth
30 ml Campari
Stir with ice, strain into a chilled coupe or a rocks glass over ice. Garnish orange peel.

3) Smoky Espresso Martini
45 ml West Cork Bog Oak Charred Cask Single Malt Irish Whiskey
30 ml cooled espresso
15 ml coffee liqueur
10 ml simple syrup to taste
Shake with ice, double strain into a chilled coupe. Garnish three coffee beans.

Serving suggestions
Neat in a tulip or Glencairn style glass at room temperature with a few drops of water to open aromas. On the rocks over a large ice cube to temper intensity. Pair with grilled or smoked meats, mature cheddar, dark chocolate or nutty desserts.

ABOUT WEST CORK
West Cork is an Irish whiskey producer based in the south west of Ireland, known for approachable, craft oriented expressions that draw on both traditional methods and modern finishing techniques. The brand is produced by West Cork Distillers Ltd, a privately owned company that has focused on creating accessible single malt and blended whiskeys as well as limited edition and cask finished releases that appeal to a broad international market.

Vineyards are not involved; instead emphasis falls on careful sourcing of Irish and international distillates, maturation choices and finishing regimens. Whiskey production typically combines locally distilled pot still or single malt spirit with selected grain components where blends are required. Maturation takes place in a variety of cask types including ex bourbon, sherry and bespoke wine casks, and the use of different casks is central to the house style which often highlights smoothness, sweet spice and fruit driven aromas. The Atlantic climate of West Cork with its temperate, maritime influence aids a gentle rate of maturation for locally produced spirit.

Viticultural metaphors aside, the distillery team and cellar staff manage small batch marrying and bottling processes with attention to cask selection, marrying trials and consistent quality control. The house style tends to favour soft mouthfeel, vanilla and toffee notes from American oak, complemented by dried fruit, nutmeg and orange peel from European oak finishes. Cask finished bottlings and limited editions explore creative permutations of ageing and finishing to deliver distinctive aromatic profiles.

West Cork whiskeys are aimed at both new whiskey drinkers and collectors seeking value in approachable, well made spirits. The producer supports responsible sourcing and cask stewardship, and continues to expand its range through experimental finishes and occasional single cask releases. Overall West Cork represents a modern Irish approach that balances tradition, cask driven complexity and commercial accessibility.