What do the Italian astronomer Galileo Galilei, the British composer Gustav Holst, and the new
Irish whiskey from
Boann Distillery have in common? They all give you a different perspective on the stars.
Boann Distillery has released a new Irish whiskey in which the stars play a significant role. Read on in this The Whistler Dark Symphony Review to discover how this comes about, and what you can expect from the whiskey.
Savour the Moment
For connoisseurs of The Whistler Irish Whiskey, the slogan on the box and at the top of the label immediately stands out: 'Sit and Stargaze for a While'. It's not because it's the whiskey brand's known slogan; rather it's that it deviates from the norm. The standard slogan of the whiskey brand, 'Sit and Whistle for a While', is noticeably absent in this case.
The creative minds at Boann Distillery have crafted a unique theme for The Whistler Dark Symphony, that being the starry sky that shimmers above us every night.
Where Galileo Galilei combined his love for philosophy with physics, astronomy, and mathematics, and composer Gustav Holst honored the planets with compositions like Jupiter and The Planets Suite, Boann Distillery takes a different approach with space in Dark Symphony.
The distillery presents galaxies and both gentlemen from history on both the bottle and the packaging of the new whiskey.
A special type of cask
In terms of the beverage, the distillery works with a special type of cask: New Era Oak Casks. These hand-planed casks draw more spiciness from the oak wood to create an entirely new flavor profile.
The The Whistler Dark Symphony whiskey is a blend of Irish malt and grain whiskeys that have been triple distilled. Despite being a whiskey without an age statement, the blend has initially aged 3 to 4 years in first fill bourbon barrels.
Subsequently, the whiskey has had a finish of over 12 months in VSOP-cognac barrels. This creates an Irish flavor profile that is eminently suitable for those with an inclination for light whiskeys.
See, Smell, Taste
Country | Ireland |
Distillery | Boann Distillery |
Type of Whiskey | Blended |
Color | Light copper |
Nose | Fresh with aromas of forest fruits, citrus, and a hint of clove. |
Palate | Blackberries, green apple, and charred orange peel with dark chocolate. |
Finish | Dry with lingering notes of dried summer fruit and a subtle hint of spices. |
Age | Non-age statement |
Alcohol Percentage | 43.14 % ABV |
Bottle Size | 70 centiliters |
Price | Around 40 euros |
An Astronomically Beautiful Bottle
When you see the packaging of The Whistler Dark Symphony, you feel that a luxury product stands before you. The dark blue box is adorned with gold accents including a galaxy with astrological symbols inside.
The Whistler's logo is positioned on either side of a golden musical note and a distillery kettle. Beneath this, 'Dark Symphony' dazzles in large letters. On top of the box, the sun is being kissed by the moon, a deep embrace of two contrasts.
As you remove the bottle from its packaging, you experience a sense of déjà vu. The bottle looks almost identical to the box: dark blue, awash with chic looking gold elements that invite you to keep looking at the bottle.
The cap holds another intriguing detail: a series of musical notes sparkle on the rim. It's a nod to Holst. The musical notes prepare you for the symphony of flavors and scents that pour out as soon as you open the bottle.
Light, Accessible, and Inviting
As the first drops of whiskey touch your glass, you notice it's slightly creamy. The copper-coloured drink leaves a faint trail in your glass. On the nose, your nostrils are gently stimulated by sweet forest fruits carrying a hint of clove and a light peppery note. The ensemble is complemented by fresh citrus tones that are present, but never overwhelming.
Once it lands on your tongue, Dark Symphony ensures that an orchestra gets to work in your mouth. The music begins with a sweet solo of blackberries, followed by tart tones of apple and orange.
Chocolate and a bit of spice
As you swirl the whiskey in your mouth, your tongue and palate start to tingle slightly, after which the forest fruits retake the lead. At this point, some chocolate appears, accompanied by spicy notes. It's an accessible ensemble that's smooth and light to drink and stays nicely within the lines when it comes to flavor variation. No big surprises, but a coherent array of flavors and aromas.
Just as Galileo took his time to gaze at the stars, a sip of this whiskey takes its time to tantalize your taste buds. The whiskey does so with a dry touch. Approaching the medium-long finish, it never really becomes spicy or too sweet, but achieves a neat balance between stimulating your tongue and palate and being 'mildly' present.
Conclusion of The Whistler Dark Symphony Review
Boann Distillery's The Whistler Dark Symphony is an accessible whiskey, worth exploring. There's no deep complexity, but balanced cohesion of flavors that get along beautifully. It's a perfect whiskey to present to a beginner whiskey drinker who wants to try something different, and an excellent dram for a quiet moment, particularly considering its price tag of around 40 euros. Do you know a whiskey drinker who has as much passion for music as for the divine drink? Then this is a must-buy.
+ Well-balanced whiskey
+ The box and bottle give a premium feel
+ Accessible for the beginner whiskey drinker
- Not for you if you want a whiskey to savor all night long