Sliabh Liag Distillers in Carrick, County Donegal have recently released their second whiskey of late. The Legendary Silkie Irish Whiskey is now joined by The Legendary Silkie Smokey Irish Whiskey. The whiskey gets its name from the word Silkie, or Selkie, seals: which were legendary shape-shifters who shed their seal skins to come ashore as beautiful sea maidens or handsome men with enchanting voices, only to eventually return to the sea leaving broken hearts. I was lucky enough to sample both drams recently. And being a Donegal native myself, I was even more enlivened to get my hands on them. Soon, Ardara (Ard an Rátha meaning Height of the Fort) will be the new home of Sliabh Liag Distillers, sometime in 2020 according to the website. However, for now it is in nearby Carrick, which is just less than fifteen miles away on Donegal’s Wild Atlantic Way. First up I sampled The Legendary Silkie Irish Whiskey. A non-chill filtered blend of double and triple distilled single malts. It's

Tasting notes recorded on the evening of July 8th 2020. The Character of Islay Whisky Company Aerolite Lyndsay Nose Raisins, and peat mainly. Also reminded of the seashore on a sharp, blustery morning. Taste Hints of fruit, mainly peach. There's a lovely earthy kick to it. Finish Sweet smoke, yet not overly so. Also, not as long lasting as the Green Isle. Green Isle Nose Apples, Barley. Taste Peppered marine notes with a modest smoked and oiled texture. Finish Summer fields with a pleasant smoked tinge overlay. Grace Île Nose Sweet banana, virtually expired pink lady apples and gentle smoked notes. Taste Warms with shades of citrus and liquorice. Finish Forbearing smoke and a tender allusion of high-end furniture. I am Left wanting more. Fiona Macleod Nose An eruption of tropical fruit, warm fudge and supplementary pineapple notes. Taste Instantly warming and sweet. Swelled further by the taste of corner shop classic confectionery and apricots. Finish A powerful although not domine

Much has been written about this greatly admired drink before, for sure. However, I have only recently been able to try this impressive dram from Four Roses. It has flourished since first released and possesses a long list of very successful accolades, the most recent of which came in 2019 (Gold at the Cigar & Spirits World Spirits Competition). At first sight you think, this doesn't even look like a bottle of whiskey. To me, the bottle resembles a bottle of brandy rather than a bottle of bourbon whiskey. This is bottled at 90 proof and only contains bourbon that has been aged for at least five years. Appearance Toffee brown, honeycomb and autumn leaves. Nose Stewed apples,  Fruit cake,  Demerara Sugar,  Vanilla and  Oak. Taste Very smooth at first and then the vanilla and citrus fruits, predominantly Orange zest begin to emerge. Full bodied Finish This has a nice long finish with an abundance of citrus notes as well as some caramel too. Overall I would highly recommend Four Ro