Natterjack Irish Whiskey Review

By Richard Thomas

Rating: C+

New for St. Patrick’s Day 2023 is Natterjack Irish Whiskey. This new entry comes from Gortinore Distillers & Co., which is following a path familiar to most American enthusiasts: build a brand based on sourced whiskey while simultaneously building a distillery, starting operations and laying in stock for maturation. Gortinore has a distillery project under construction, located in a former wool mill on the banks of the River Mahon. The company/brand website has no information, but some data on Naterjack was released to the press.

Natterjack is a triple distilled, blended Irish Whiskey, following in the vein of most (but not all; looking at you here, Cooley) Irish Whiskey brands. Also like most Irish Whiskey, primary maturation was in ex-bourbon barrels, but Natterjack takes that a step further with a finish in new American oak casks. Also in common with most Irish Whiskeys, Natterjack is bottled at 40% ABV.

The Whiskey
A pour of Natterjack comes out as pale gold in the glass. The nose is reminiscent of apples and pine needles, while the flavor leads with a familiar, very Irish style of butterscotch and apples, backed by modest notes of wood, pepper and vanilla. The finish is modest and short, and rolls off that main body of butterscotch.

The Price
A survey of online retailers indicated this item is going for between $37 and $45 a bottle.