Last time I wrote about the Connemara Turf Mor, which is really a unique peated Irish whiskey from the Cooley’s Distillery. Here comes something even better, now!

First of all, I would like to thank for the experts at Cooley’s that they gave us the opportunity to taste and test their outstanding whiskey invention: the Connemara Bog Oak. Our team (the Whisky Society of Hungary) is very proud that we have got the chance to taste an Irish whiskey specialty which is not even on the market yet. The Turf Mor is bottled already, but there is only two casks of the Bog Oak laid down and waiting for the official release.

Although, the Turf Mor was a surprising and wonderful taste experience for us, we liked Bog Oak even more! Turf Mor delivered a different peatiness and smokiness than any Scottish whisky: less medicinal, less salty, but a wee bit dry and fruity compared to any Islay whisky we tasted so far. Based on the story of the Bog Oak, we expected no major difference in smell and taste between Turf Mor and Bog Oak, but we were wrong. The Bog Oak gives everything which is good in Turf Mor, but on a higher level. Especially, in terms of balance and smoothness. The bog-wood and the whiskey-making procedure seems to have some similar impact on the whiskey like charcoal-mellowing in the case of producing Jack Daniel’s. It gives balance and makes the whiskey smoother, while taking the harshness of peatiness and iodine away. The Bog Oak shows a more characteristic Irishness in a peated whiskey as smoky and peaty character goes together with the well-known smooth taste character of Irish whiskeys. Look for Connemara Bog Oak on the shelves! It is worth to buy!