Dunville’s 12 year PX Cask Irish Whiskey - Review
Echlinville Distillery, nestled in the picturesque County Down, Northern Ireland, holds the distinction of being Ireland's first farm distillery. Established in 2013, it stands on land that has been in the family since the 1600s, blending rich history with modern distilling practices[1].
The distillery's inception marked a significant milestone in Northern Ireland's spirits industry, becoming the first licensed distillery in the region in over 125 years[2]. Echlinville's unique "field to glass" approach sets it apart, as they grow and harvest their own barley, which is then floor-malted by hand, adhering to traditional Irish whiskey-making methods[2].
One of Echlinville's most notable achievements was the revival of the iconic Dunville's Irish Whiskey brand. Dunville's, originally produced by the Royal Irish Distillery in Belfast, had been out of production for nearly 80 years before Echlinville breathed new life into it in 2013[2][4].
The Dunville's 12 Year Old Irish Whiskey is a testament to Echlinville's commitment to quality and tradition. This single malt whiskey is part of Dunville's Very Rare range and has been exclusively matured in Pedro Ximénez (PX) casks[3]. The use of PX hogsheads, smaller than typical sherry butts, allows for greater contact between the whiskey and the wood, resulting in faster aging and more pronounced flavor impartation[5].
Tasting notes for the Dunville's PX 12 Year Old reveal a complex and inviting profile. The nose offers fresh-cut grass, pine needles, elegant pepper, and subtle sherry notes. On the palate, it presents baking spices, oak, and dried fruit sweetness, complemented by vanilla and hints of Christmas cake. The finish is medium in length, featuring drying oak and soft sherry notes[3].
Echlinville Distillery's revival of Dunville's and their innovative approach to whiskey-making have garnered attention in the spirits world. With plans for expansion and a growing reputation among locals and tourists alike, Echlinville is poised for a bright future in the Irish whiskey landscape[1].
Review:
Nose: This has a lovely nose filled with honey, baking spices, caramelized apples, lemon, and some oak as well. I don’t often think that distiller’s tasting notes are all that accurate but they definitely are here. The dried raspberry/strawberry note with cream is fantastic. There is no ethanol to be found on the nose and it just a light, sweet, floral, bouquet of oak spice and fruits. I am surprised by how concentrated the notes are with the proof point of this whiskey at 88 proof (46%).
Palate: It is almost fragile on the palate and is not oily in any sense. It brings out a more peppery plum note which reminds me quite a bit of Redbreast 12 year old but with more flavor. Oddly enough, I get a cilantro like note here as well. It has some bite to it but doesn’t have any off putting notes. I get a honeydew melon note as well to round it out on the 2nd or third sip.
Finish: This finish was great on this one. For the proof, this sat with me for 30-40 seconds. The sherry brought forward the dried fruits through the finish and leaves you with a classic Irish malted barley taste. On the end with the maltiness of the spirit, I closely would compare it to a less sweet strawberry shortcake. It has a breadiness to it that I have a hard time explaining.
Overall: 90. This is everything that an Irish whiskey should be. I was recommended this bottle by a few bartenders, whiskey fanatics that I ran across on my trip overseas in May of 2024. This bottle has received quite the acclaim in Ireland. Megan (my girlfriend) was not thrilled when I asked her to walk with me a mile outside of Killarney to a carry-out off license store that said they had it in stock. I was thrilled to get a bottle and have been scouring the web to buy another 1-2 bottles just to hang onto. I feel that this one will become a very difficult bottle to obtain. If you know me, you know that I also am a huge fan of Redbreast and think their line of whiskey is close to art. I feel that this bottle against the Redbreast 12 would complete give it a run for its money, and it has my money that it would win.
Value: 90/100; (+5 on the overall). This bottle retails for about 105 euro. I have seen it on Master of Malt and other large whisky sites for about $90 USD, which I think for the quality, is a phenomenal deal and would recommend buying every time.
Availability: Available only in Ireland. Many large whisky shops have this in stock and can ship it overseas. I am also a proponent of trying whiskey before buying it, but in this case, take my word and get a bottle. Pay the $60 shipping and just know that you are getting a great quality finished Irish whiskey that won’t delete your bank account and won’t leave you feeling guilty for drinking it. Cheers.
Citations:
[1] https://greatdrams.com/echlinville-distillery-northern-irelands-first-farm-distillery/
[2] https://storiesandsips.com/irish-whiskey-distilleries/the-echlinville-distillery/
[3] https://whiskyoftheweek.co.uk/dunvilles-px-cask-12-yo/
[4] https://dunvilleswhiskey.com/story/
[5] https://thatsdramgood.com/2019/02/10/dunvilles-12-year-old/
