Killowen The Dalriadan Parts 1 & 2
Official Bottling | 57.5% & 57.99%
Score: 8/10
Something Special.
TL;DR
A Celtic collaboration that is well worth you time, attention and money
Ireland Meets Scotland In More Than One Way!
Let’s kick this review off by telling you how I came into possession of the whiskey we are about to review. Part one was a sample sent to me by fellow blogger Dave Cummings from The Water of Life site (who coincidentally provided the lead image) and part two came to me directly from Killowen Distillery… and it wasn’t a sample, it was a full sized bottle. Will this affect my judgement? Well, when the producer messages you to say that ‘it’s a wee risk’ sending me the bottle, I think that says a lot. Anyway to negate that possible accusation I’ve sent samples of the bottle to both Dave for his own site and I’ve asked Judge Dredd himself, our Dallas, to review Part 2 with me.
So, what is a Dalriadan I hear you ask? Is it Ireland’s very own answer to Disney/Lucasfilms space travelling, jetpack wearing Bounty Hunter stroke Baby Yoda day carer? Simply put… no! Let’s enjoy a little history lesson shall we? (I’ll keep is short…ish)
Running from Newry in County Down right through to Culmore, County Derry is the A2 which mainly follows the coastline of Northern Ireland. Of particular interest to us is a stretch known as the Antrim Coast Road that starts at the Black Arch in Larne and originally finished at the Red Arch in Cushendall and is considered one of the most scenic drives in the world. Continuing on northwards from Cushendall past Cushendun you will eventually pass through Ballycastle and onwards to Bushmills.
Why are we interested in all this Archibald? Well this area is home to the quite stunning Glens of Antrim. A place of waterfalls, castles, Neolithic ruins and sheep. Lots of sheep.
So the people who live here are sandwiched between the Irish Sea to the East and to the West, the Glens of Antrim with sea cliffs 100m high in some places. Early in the 19th century the Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland reported that the Glens of Antrim were “cut off from any reasonable communication by the badness of roads over mountains and slopes varying from 1 in 6 to 1 in 12”. The Antrim Coast Road was conceived then to give better inward access to the inhabitants, open the Glens up for trade and provide employment during its construction. It took 10 years from 1832 to 1842 for works to be completed at a cost in today’s terms that would come close to £1 billion.
Prior to this road being completed, the Glens, as if cupping the local inhabitants by the hands of Manannan mac Lir himself, pushed the locals eastwards and into the Irish Sea. So inhospitable and difficult were the Glens to traverse, it was much easier to trade across the North Channel of the Irish Sea.
Dalriada or Dal Riata was a historic Gaelic Kingdom that encompassed the western seaboard of Scotland and the north east corner of Ireland. Originally instigated by a large-scale migration of Irish Gaelic elites into Alba (Scotland to you and me) led by Fergus Mor in the 5th century. These immigrants eventually made Scotland, and in particular Argyll, home. The main kindreds were based in Kintyre, Islay and Jura, Lorne and also Bute. Royal forts were found at Dunadd, Dunollie, Dunaverty, Tarbert with Dunseverick Castle near Bushmills being the Irish royal base.
“As is with any creative profession, be it, for instance, architecture or distilling, an abundance in restrictions can help to bring forth the best creativity”
Dal Riata reached its zenith in the 6th and 7th centuries and was renowned as having a very strong seafaring culture utilising currachs (for local trade) and timber long ships for long distance trade and also warfare.
The kingdom was noted for its inshore fisheries and ample grazing onshore… hence the sheep. Lots of them. But for us whisky lovers of note is that pastoralism was especially important with the main crops grown being oats and barley. Oh and there was an abundance of peat both in Ireland and Scotland.
So, to celebrate this confluence of Gaelic cultures, the lads at Killowen, also known for their storytelling and looking towards history to move forward, have put together a couple of special releases… namely the Dalriadan Parts 1 and 2, by doing something not allowed in Scotland, the mixing of Irish and Scottish single malts. You can read the exact mixes in the review below.
Review
Dalriadan Part 1 consists of 60% 11 year old Bushmills malt that spent 8 years maturing in bourbon casks before spending a further 3 years in an oloroso sherry cask. The 40% Caol Ila malt component was fully matured in bourbon casks.
£115 and available via The Whisky Exchange
Nose
Very fruity on the nose – peach, apricot, lemon zest, pear drops and chamomile. There is a hint of raisin influence with some toasted hazelnuts. Fresh linen, barley sugar, new leather and sawn oak. The Caol Ila peat subtly wafts through alongside bacon lardons and coal dust. Water brings out caramel and a cigar box.
Palate
The Bushmills fruitiness cuts through. Honeyed malt, peach, pineapple and pear. Again there is a lemon note. Warming spices next with black pepper and some peppermint. Cask char bitterness and chalk. Ashy smoke envelops the fruit towards the end along with a little tobacco leaf. Water brings out more green herbal notes. The finish is medium to long with lemon peel, peat ash and some garden mint.
Score: 8/10
Review
Dalriadan Part 2 consists of 40% 11 year old Bushmills malt that spent 8 years maturing in bourbon casks before spending a further 3 years in an oloroso cask. The now 60% Caol Ila component was fully matured in bourbon casks. This blend was then finished for 10 months in both PX casks and Killowen Dark Rum casks, so a Rum & Raisin expression as they affectionately call them.
£115 and available from Irish Malts
Score: 7/10
Very Good Indeed.
TL;DR
A well thought out collaboration
Nose
This has a real creamy note to it – buttermilk and fudge. Pineapple cubes, dried apricots and mango. Coconut shavings too. Spicy wood notes are apparent with cinnamon and orange peel. The peat is a little stronger than Part 1 but not overwhelming giving us sea spray and flint. Some PX sweetness is here too but well judged. Water increases the PX notes as well as releasing a little more smoke.
Palate
On arrival this is definitely more about the brown sugar, vanilla and sticky raisins. Then we get a little Bushmills fruitiness with a touch of banana this time. Orange peel, nutmeg and some sugar glazed bbq bacon joints. The peat is a little more forceful bringing a coastal salinity and chalkiness that counteracts the sweetness. Water highlights more fudgy notes but with fresh pepper and some chilli flakes. The finish is medium with brown sugar, a beachside bonfire and salted lemon wedges.
Score: 7/10
The Dregs
I think the lads at Killowen have highlighted that when Ireland and Scotland come together great things can happen. Both are examples of well thought out blending and give you plenty to think about. I do feel that Part 1 just nicks first place for me as it’s a little purer than Part 2 allowing both distillates their time in the spotlight. Part 2 for me has just been nudged into candy territory by the Rum & Raisin finish, but for those that love a dessert dram this will definitely be up your street. As it is, both are worthy of your time and attention.
I realise that £115 isn’t cheap (multiply it to 700ml size and we are talking £160 a bottle) but I think they are well worth the entry fee for something that you ordinarily wouldn’t be able to come across. I know that both these casks cost Brendan quite a bit considering how small Killowen are, and he has tried his best to keep the cost competitive.
Excitingly, Killowen's own spirit has recently turned 3 years old so it may not be too long before we get our hands on some of County Down’s most anticipated spirit.
Mhor’s Dalriadan Part 2 Review
Score: 7/10
Very Good Indeed.
TL;DR
The Scots take over Ireland in a unique collision of styles
Nose
Zesty and fresh, a shammy, olive oil and almonds. Mace, white pepper and the sweetness of wet bark. Silver Needle White tea, caramel and all-spice. Vanilla custard, mint leaf and crushed peanuts. A spent paraffin rag from a miner’s lamp, grapefruit whipped cream and aniseed balls.
Palate
Light, subtle and engaging, pears, lemon and sharp apples. All-spice, black peppercorns, charcoal and a woody earthiness. A twist of lime, worn leather, some well-hidden green mango elements and redberries. Fudge, orange peel and some delicate coastal notes. I didn’t feel water delivered much and best to have it as poured for the full array.
The Dregs
Grumpy Archie keeps me in the loop about all things Killowen and it is one of the Irish distilleries that warrants your support. Small batches, handcrafted – the buzzwords of whisky (or even whiskey) that mean very little in today’s reality. Abused, flogged and quartered by marketeers for as long as I can remember, it’s hard to put these words into a tangible physical form. Yet with the efforts of Killowen and Dornoch distillery in Sutherland, we have that ability nowadays. Drinking their wares is where my whisky future resides and supporting those that place flavour and doing things their way over spreadsheets, efficiencies and all that jazz.
This concept creation is fun if a little pricey and a niche release. One of those what if moments and then some more. The nose is really good and the palate has quite a bit to get your senses around. Ultimately, it is down to you how much you want to have this experience and in doing so support a distillery trying to do its own thing. It is just the wrong side of £100, but I can see why for such a small operation.
Tried this? Share your thoughts in the comments below. AG
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Other opinions on this:
Whiskybase (Part 1)
Whiskybase (Part 2)
Got a link to a reliable review? Tell us.
