Pearse Lyons 12 YO Founder's Choice

Pearse Lyons 12 YO Founder’s Choice, 43 %

Today I’m tasting an Irish single malt from Dublin based Pearse Lyons Distillery. The distillery opened its doors in 2017, and are located in a beautifully restored old church. They bought their two small-batch copper pot stills from Kentucky in 2011, and in 2013 they bought and started restoring the church.

The Pearse Lyons 12 YO Founder’s Choice has been matured in ex-bourbon casks. The spirit has been sourced from another Irish distillery in this case, as they have not yet had time to mature 12 years old whiskey themselves. The source is unknown.

The Pearse Lyons 12 YO Founder's Choice can be purchased in Norway at NOK 800 (10892501), and various places online. You might still stumble across the previous incarnation of the 12 YO, which has a different label and was bottled at 42 % ABV.

Nose: Spicy and fruity, with hints of oak. Apples with a touch of citrus. Pleasant but perhaps a bit neutral. Hints of perfume and crushed almonds. With time it also reveals notes of red berries and vanilla.

Taste: Medium body. Rough and spicy upfront. The spicy fire quickly dies down to a pleasant tingling and a rush of mild fruitiness arrives. Mainly tropical fruits - think water melon, mango and banana. Add to this mild spices as well as assorted nuts.

Finish: Medium long finish. Spices and fruits mix with nuts and a light sweetness in the form of icing sugar and vanilla. I am left with a confectionery delight.

Comment: I like this. This is the sort of easy dram you reach for again and again.

Score 87/100

Sláinte!
- Thomas