West Cork sherry Cask Finished Maritime Release Single Malt Irsk Whiskey 70 cl 46%

Off the coast of West Cork the Atlantic runs grey and restless, and it was here that two of the distillery's founders once hauled nets for a living, long before they swapped trawlers for copper pot stills. That same maritime spirit gives its name to the series this bottle belongs to.

Expert Review

West Cork Sherry Cask Finished Maritime Release is an Irish Single Malt Whiskey matured in first fill Bourbon casks and finished in Bodegas Baron Sherry casks, bottled at 46%.

The bottle belongs to West Cork Distillers' Maritime Range, a series built as a tribute to the founders' years at sea. The whiskey is triple distilled from Irish malted barley and rests first in ex-Bourbon casks, picking up soft vanilla sweetness, before moving to Spanish Sherry casks for a finish that adds depth and dried fruit character.

The bottle itself is shaped like an old glass fishing float, the kind fishermen once used to keep their nets afloat, and the spout sits deliberately off-centre for a smoother pour. A small but deliberate design touch that ties the story to what is in the glass.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Stewed prunes and dried fig meet a touch of sherry and a soft vanilla sweetness that settles over everything.

Palate

Sweet to start, with caramel and raisins, before spice steps in and pulls the flavour toward a peppery finish.

Finish

Dry, with a lingering spiced edge, rounded off by soft oak.

Specifications

Name: West Cork Sherry Cask Finished Maritime Release Single Malt Irish Whiskey
Distillery: West Cork Distillers
Region/Country: County Cork, Ireland
Type: Irish Single Malt Whiskey
ABV: 46%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: 1st fill Bourbon casks & Bodegas Baron Sherry casks
Edition: Maritime Range
EAN no.: 5391524716085

Flavour Profile

Sherry-matured · Sweet · Fruity · Spiced · Rounded

Did You Know?

West Cork Distillers was founded in 2003 by three childhood friends from the West Cork area. Two of them had spent years at sea as fishermen, and it is that background that gave both name and shape to the entire Maritime Range this bottle belongs to.
See our full range of West Cork Distillers

Frequently Asked Questions about West Cork Sherry Cask Finished Maritime Release

What does West Cork Sherry Cask Finished Maritime Release taste like?

It opens with sweet sherry, dried fruit and vanilla on the nose, moves into caramel and spice on the palate, and closes dry with a light peppery edge. The sherry cask gives the whiskey a full, rounded character without becoming heavy.

Is West Cork Sherry Cask Finished Maritime Release peated?

No, this expression is completely free of smoke and peat. West Cork Distillers does produce peated whiskeys elsewhere in the range, but the Maritime Sherry Cask is pure sherry-driven sweetness with no smoke notes.

What sets this bottle apart from the rest of the Maritime Range?

It is the finishing cask that makes the difference. Where other Maritime releases finish in Rum, Port or Virgin Oak casks, this one moves from Bourbon into Bodegas Baron Sherry casks, which gives it its signature sweetness and dried fruit character.

How should West Cork Sherry Cask Finished Maritime Release be served?

Best enjoyed at room temperature in a tulip-shaped glass, ideally with a few drops of water to open up the sherry notes. It also holds up well over a single large ice cube for those who prefer it cooler.

Who is behind West Cork Distillers?

The distillery was founded in 2003 by three childhood friends from the southwest of Ireland and has since grown into one of Ireland's largest independent whiskey houses, employing over 100 people producing whiskey, gin and vodka.

Does West Cork Sherry Cask Finished Maritime Release make a good gift?

Yes, the striking, orb-shaped bottle makes it an easy gift for both the curious drinker and the more experienced whiskey fan, and the sherry character keeps it approachable for a wide range of palates.

What is the difference between an Irish Single Malt Whiskey and a Blended Irish Whiskey?

An Irish Single Malt Whiskey is made entirely from malted barley at a single distillery, while a blended expression combines several types of whiskey. West Cork Sherry Cask Finished Maritime Release is a pure Single Malt.