Egan’s Single Grain Irish Whiskey Review

By Father John Rayls

Rating: A-

Egan’s Single Grain Irish Whiskey
(Credit: John Rayls)

Although first and foremost a Bourbon drinker, I have found a really interesting Irish Whiskey to be a very satisfying trip down a different trail. It’s the whiskey I use to offer a softer, diverse perspective on life. Irish Whiskey has a very different flavor profile from Bourbon, which gives a much more “in your face” experience, while Irish Whiskey has more of a discovery process. Plus, it doesn’t hurt that the Irish Whiskey segment may be the fastest growing whiskey segment in the world, because there is always something new going on with it.

Egan’s Vintage is an 8 Year Old Whiskey, non-chill filtered and bottled at 92 Proof.  It is named for a historical family distillery established in 1852 by Patrick Egan as P&H Egan, LTD and closed in 1968. As a grain whiskey, it is made with a column still and from a mix of grains, compared to the pot still and all-barley behind both Irish malts and Irish pot still whiskeys.

The Whiskey
The look is a light, even pale golden color, with highlights of polished brass and shining gold with long reluctant legs. The nose is not aggressive, but is readily available and apparent. It is filled with oak and leather and earthy notes with some slight tingling in the nose, but no actual burn.

The palette experience begins with a creamy mid-mouth exposure and back. There are flavors of oak and a genuine earthiness with some light spice over the top of something similar to a simple syrup. It is a very warming sample, but stops short of being hot. The finish slowly appears with more oak and earth and actually adds some slight heat to the experience.

It is an easy sipping whiskey either neat, with water or ice, but is also appropriate for use as a mixer. It’s a good way to expand your horizons with both Irish and single grain whiskeys.

The Price
Egan’s Vintage Grain is part of the Intrepid Spirits portfolio, and is available in a 750ml bottle for a SRP of $45.00.