When I heard that Trader Joe’s had brought back their Irish Single Malt I was excited until I got to the store and immediately noticed something different… an age statement. Last year’s Trader Joe’s Irish Single Malt was a NAS whiskey and it was fantastic, I loved it and even though they claim it was 100% ex-bourbon I’m still convinced sherry casks were at play somewhere in the process. This year’s Trader Joe’s 8-year Irish Single Malt is a different beast to say the least.
It has a different characteristic to it but, to jump the gun, I liked the NAS better. This is one of those situations where if I had the option of buying the age stated 8 year or the NAS at the same price I absolutely would buy the NAS without a moment’s hesitation. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. The number of times a whiskey as gone around the sun isn’t what makes it worth buying, it’s how it tastes.
Trader Joe’s 8 year Irish Single Malt Review
ABV: 40%
Age: 8 years
Price: $25
Distiller: Likely Cooley, but unknown at the moment
Bottler: Trader Joes
EYE
Golden Hay
NOSE
Honeylicious is the first word that came to mind. After that word for a moment I noticed some nice notes of vanilla, malt, a light caramel and a light orchard fruit. This isn’t as complex as the NAS version they perviously had and it’s missing that sherry-like sweetness , but it’s still a nice smelling whiskey.
PALATE
Honey again leads the charge with vanilla, fruit, malt and a light caramel coming along with it. It gets a bit ashy on the end and there is a light ambiguous sweetness running underneath. Again, not as complex or tasty as the previous edition, but still pretty good.
FINISH
Malt, grilled fruit (lightly charred sweetness) and ash run out on a medium finish.
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
The balance is there, the body is medium and the feel is smooth without being watery making it a pleasant drinking experience.
OVERALL
Is this as big of a star as the previous NAS version? No. Is it still a tasty whiskey that’s worth the money? If you like Irish single malts then yes. Otherwise, maybe not. Everything comes across sweet and light but well put together. I like the way it starts out sweetly honied on the nose and then moves through to be a bit fruitier on the palate and finish a bit on the ashy side. It’s a nice progression and I find myself enjoying it. Just wish it had the sherry-like notes the NAS version had.
SCORE: 83/100
I just noticed that Trader Joes now carries what looks to be a 15 year old version of this Irish Whiskey (same bottle and label style). Bottled at 80 proof. Priced at $33. Curious if anyone has tried it. I might have to pull the trigger either way. The 8 year old has a youthful funk I in my opinion. Hoping it’s been cured in the 15 yr old version.
Oh wow, I’m going to have to check this out. Thanks for the note! Cheers!
I did something truly crazy with this bottle (purchased in 2018). I had about 3.5 ounces of whiskey left in a bottle of 2007 Midleton Very Rare. I had a choice of one evening’s enjoyment of that dram, or trying to stretch it a bit further. I filled the rest of the bottle with the Trader Joe’s Single Malt. Let me tell you, I am thrilled with the results. The whiskey has taken on the character of the Midleton, and has been extremely satisfying. A vast improvement over the original TJ (which is certainly not bad itself). If a person has any thoughts of doing their own blending of Irish whiskeys, this would be a fantastic medium.
Nice, thanks for sharing!
I am 65 years old and truly enjoy to sip a great single malt whiskey over a iced rock. This is the first time to Seattle Washington where I had an opportunity to try this whiskey. We have a Trader Joe’s in Wilmington, North Carolina and they do not have whiskey in that store. I would like to know where I can buy some when I get back to the Carolinas!!
Gilbert DuBois
If you’re looking for something similar see if any of the liquor stores in your area carry The Quietman 8 year Irish. Cheers!