Why This Irish Whiskey Surprises: A Deep Dive into Clonakilty Double Oak

Ireland is one of the classic whisky nations, yet the Emerald Isle often lives a little in the shadow of its neighbor, Scotland. That’s a shame, because in recent years Ireland has produced plenty of intriguing whisk(e)ys. Whether the Clonakilty Double Oak belongs in that camp is what you’ll find out in this review.

Clonakilty Distillery has been around for a long time. The business began on a small family farm on Ireland’s southwest coast, and over time nine generations of the family have distilled whiskey. Clonakilty doesn’t have a huge lineup, but it does offer a number of premium expressions, with the Double Oak as the flagship of the Cask Series. This whiskey is matured in bourbon barrels and finished in two different types of oak: new American oak and European ex-Bordeaux casks.

Irish whiskeys are generally known for their smooth finish. Most of the country’s whiskeys are triple-distilled, which often takes off the rough edges.

Clonakilty, however, takes a slightly different approach. The family land sits on the coast, and the warehouse clings to the cliff edge with a view of the Atlantic Ocean. Clonakilty draws inspiration from the land and the sea. That rugged touch shows in the Clonakilty Double Oak.

From the first sip, Double Oak greets you with a subtly sweet wave of nuts and vanilla, along with hints of fruit. But after that gentle welcome, a sharper ginger note rolls in. It leaves a notably assertive impression at the back of the throat, especially for an Irish whiskey.

That ginger character dominates the finish, joined by other spices and a touch of sweetness. The sweet elements fade a bit more quickly, and without that counterbalance the punchy ginger can feel a little intense. It does encourage you not to wait too long before the next sip, bringing vanilla and nutty notes back into the fold.

At the 2020 World Whiskies Awards, Clonakilty Double Oak earned the title of Best Irish Blended Whisky and it’s easy to see why. This whiskey delivers an engaging interplay of contrasting flavors.

The sweet nose and first impression on the palate might have you thinking you’re in classic Irish territory, but the sharper ginger and spice on the back of the tongue tell a different story, with a surprising kick. The ginger does linger a bit longer than the sweet elements in the finish, which might be a downside for those who aren’t fans of that particular spice.

+ Full flavors of vanilla and nuts

+ A spicier edge

+ A surprising kick for an Irish whiskey

- Ginger note lingers a touch too long