Connemara12YearOldPeatedWhiskey(700mL)

<p>Connemara 12 Peated Irish Whiskey is a premium Islay Single Malt born on the wrong side of town. </p><p>If you look at a map of <em>Ireland</em>, you will see a tip of land pointing out as the western-most point — that’s the district of <em>Connemara</em>. <em>The Cooley Distillery </em>is on the other side of the country, but that’s where they make Connemara Whiskey these days, alongside Kilbeggan, Tryconnell, 2 Gingers, and a few other Irish gems. </p><p>Cooley has won more than <em>three hundred awards </em>since they consolidated operations there in 1985. Shieeeeet. Pretty impressive, don’t you think? They market all of their products under the master brand of <em>Kilbeggan</em>. </p><p>Connemara is different… <em>REALLY different</em>. It says “Irish Whiskey” right up front on the label, but it is not what you expect. Sure, it’s a Whiskey and it’s made in Ireland. But Connemara is a <em>Single Malt</em>, where most Irish Whiskeys are a grain mixture. And all Connemara Whiskeys are <em>peated</em>. Now look at that map of Ireland again. The Connemara is made closer to <em>Islay Scotland </em>— just across the Irish sea. And that is what it tastes like.</p><p>The good folks at Cooley Distillery have crafted a <em>premium</em>, peated Single Malt Whiskey that you would swear comes from across the sea. So, is Connemara 12 an Irish Whiskey? Legally yes, to your taste buds maybe, but <em>what matters</em> is that if you enjoy high-end Bowmore or Laphroaig, you should consider this troublemaker too. Need another reason? Connemara <em>has probably won more awards</em> than the Scotches we’re comparing it to! </p>