Deep-charred casks pack extra punch into this Irish whiskey

The Irish whiskey brand Proper No. Twelve has unveiled a new addition to its range: Proper No. Twelve Black Reserve. This whiskey delivers a deeper, more complex flavor thanks to an extra finish in heavily charred barrels.

Proper No. Twelve’s lineup already included two whiskeys: the Original and the Apple. Now there’s a third release: the Proper No. Twelve Black Reserve whiskey. This edition takes a distinctly different path from the brand’s other two expressions.

Proper No. Twelve Black Reserve is a whiskey that undergoes an additional finishing period after maturation. The blend of single malt and grain whiskeys first ages for at least 4 years in first- and second-fill American oak casks.

It is then finished in heavily charred ex-bourbon barrels, which imparts a more intense flavor to the whiskey. Lander Otegui, executive vice president of marketing and innovation at Proximo Spirits, says this whiskey embodies what the brand has always stood for: bold yet approachable.

According to the tasting notes, the whiskey shows intriguing layers of caramel, toasted wood, and vanilla, with subtle sweet nuances. Its style is fuller, rounder, and notably more powerful than its predecessors.

To keep Proper No. Twelve Black Reserve approachable and cocktail-friendly, the alcohol content is set at 40% alcohol by volume (ABV).

The new Proper No. Twelve Irish whiskey has already launched in the United States, where it carries a price tag of $32.99. Whether it will roll out globally has not been announced.