Review: Northcross Triple Wood Irish Whiskey

Northcross Irish Whiskey is made at the Great Northern Distillery in County Louth, in the northeast corner of Ireland (just south of Northern Ireland). The distillery, founded by John Teeling, is the largest independent distillery in Ireland, making and aging many different styles of whiskey. The first release from Northcross, their Triple Wood, takes advantage of the great range of whiskeys that are distilled and aged at the distillery. It is a blend of pot still and column still whiskeys, including both double and triple distilled varieties, and then aged in ex-bourbon, ex-sherry, and virgin American oak casks. The mashbill is 90% grain whiskey and 10% malted barley. With so much going on in this whiskey, we’re curious to see how the flavors come together. Let’s pour a glass and see.

Northcross Triple Wood Irish Whiskey Review

Northcross Irish Whiskey offers more complexity than one expects at this price point, with notes from all three of the casks used to age the whiskey contributing to the experience. On the nose, it opens with enticing butterscotch, coconut, and vanilla. With a little time, stewed apples join the mix as well as a very light hospital note similar to what you often see in vodka, though it is quite faint.

The palate opens in similar fashion to the nose, with butterscotch, coconut, and vanilla dominating. Midpalate brings apple compote, raisin, walnut, and a touch of lemon peel. The medium-length finish brings drying oak tannins and again that slight hospital note as the flavors gently fade.

I might have liked to see the flavors stand out individually more than they did, but I’m probably just nitpicking. This is an inexpensive whiskey worth sipping neat.

86 proof.

B+ / $30

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