The Busker Triple Cask Blended Irish Whiskey (700ml)

A new Irish brand with four variants based on differing styles of production: Single Grain, Single Malt, Single Pot Still (formerly known as Pure Pot Still), and a blend of all three, which is this: Matured in Bourbon, Madeira and Sherry casks, The Busker 'Triple Cask Triple Smooth' combines high-quality single grain with a significant percentage of Single Malt and Single Pot Still components. All the whiskeys are distilled at Ireland’s Royal Oak Distillery, Carlow. 40% Alc./Vol.

Other reviews... Royal Oak Distillery’s flagship has a nose of ripe mango, dried apple rings, vanilla, and fine spice, with a curious additional note somewhere between pencil erasers and a tire repair kit. Its light-bodied frame showcases apple pie, sweet cream, caramel, gingerbread, custard, and vanilla. Although no prizes for guessing this is a blend of malt, grain, and single pot still whiskeys, it is refreshing and easy to drink. 87 points - whiskyadvocate.com, reviewed by: Jonny McCormick 2020

...That’s a big (and awful) name for a whiskey that’s really just a blend of all of the above, “combining the Single Grain with a high percentage of the Single Malt and Single Pot whiskeys.” Since the single grain is aged in bourbon and Marsala casks and the other two whiskeys are aged in bourbon and sherry casks, well, you see where the “triple cask” comes from. It’s not exactly a “best of all worlds” construction, and in fact this is the most anonymous and simplistic whiskey in the lineup. While grain-heavy but a bit astringent on the nose, the palate is more engaging, though it never really elevates beyond its toasty, granary-focused underprinnings. Eventually some sesame seed notes and, on the finish, some licorice character emerge, alongside a gentle layer of spice and some straightforward barrel char elements. It’s nothing out of the ordinary and perfect drinkable, but otherwise it feels largely anonymous. - drinkhacker.com