Dingle has been an up-and-coming Irish whiskey for years, and now it’s finally come into its own with the launch of Dingle Samhain, the inaugural release in its Wheel of the Year series.

Truth be told this whiskey dates back to 2022, only we’re just now getting access to it at Drinkhacker. It starts off as a traditional single malt bottling — matured in first fill bourbon casks — before being finished for two long years in Muscatel wine casks. 10,000 bottles were produced.

Muscatel finishing is a rarity. Muscatel on top of Irish? Pretty much unheard of. Let’s give it a spin.

Dingle Samhain Single Malt Irish Whiskey

The mix of apples, brioche, almond croissants, and cream soda on the nose of this whiskey make for an unmistakably Irish introduction, at turns both toasty and nutty, with aromatics of baked bread dominant. Fresh and inviting, the whiskey coaxes you in with this boulangerie character, though late-game notes of camphor and dried flowers make for lively counterpoints.

The palate fits in well with the aromatics, creamy but racy thanks to its abv, the almond notes evoking a healthy layer of marzipan, backed up by vanilla cream, coconut, and some blood orange peel. There’s a touch of creosote in the mix here that plays into the funky camphor quality that squeaks into the aromatics — making for a slightly ashy, and at times vaguely ashy, character that makes for a racy conclusion. Hints of red pepper on the finish, then a svelte milk chocolate salve to lighten things up.

101 proof.

A- / $150 / dingledistillery.ie [BUY IT NOW FROM FROOTBAT]

The post Review: Dingle Samhain Single Malt Irish Whiskey appeared first on Drinkhacker: The Insider’s Guide to Good Drinking.