Let’s simply admit it: The title is humorous. And enjoyable. And lends itself to off-color jokes that solely get crasser as you’re employed your means by way of a second glass. However there’s a wholly acceptable rationalization for the corporate’s title: the Muff Liquor Firm was based within the village of Muff in County Donegal, Eire. The village of Muff is near the northernmost a part of the Republic of Eire and is definitely positioned north of most of Northern Eire.
The Muff Liquor Firm was launched in 2018 by Laura Bonner who, their web site informs us, “was impressed by ‘Granda’ Philip McClenaghen, a potato farmer with a knack for innovation and the unique creator of the handcrafted ‘Poitín’ recipes that now encourage her spirits.” There’s no Poitín amongst their choices, however they do make a potato-based vodka, a gin, and a peated whiskey. The bottles are distinctive with a enjoyable finger loop on the high and the texture of a country container married to a glass whiskey bottle. Let’s give every a attempt.
Made with 4 completely different sorts of Irish potatoes and distilled six occasions, this vodka may be very clear on the nostril, presenting only a little bit of vanilla and the lightest hospital notice. The palate introduces light, frivolously candy vanilla, a little bit of earth, and a contact of lemon citrus. The alcohol may be very effectively hidden, and the vodka has a pleasing, creamy mouthfeel, which might be present in good potato vodkas. This vodka will work effectively in cocktails, however it’s ok to sip neat, and I like to recommend it extremely to followers of potato vodka. 80 proof. A- / $38
The vodka supplies the bottom for his or her gin, so it’s also made with potatoes and distilled six occasions. The botanicals, that are chilly infused into the potato spirit earlier than distillation, embody mandarin, elderflower, grapefruit peel, juniper, and rosemary. Lastly, a small quantity of Champagne extract is added to the gin earlier than bottling. On the nostril, mandarin orange notes hit first, adopted by grapefruit pith, and a contact of pine. Fairly good, however the palate proves to be much less balanced. There, the notes might be recognized, however they don’t come collectively very effectively. Black pepper comes first together with mandarin, adopted by an earthy notice and a few rosemary. By itself and in a martini, the gin is a little bit of a jumbled mess. In a Gin & Tonic, nonetheless, it really works properly and is sort of pleasant, with the mandarin within the gin coupling effectively with the frivolously candy bitterness of the tonic. If you’re making G&T and like a extra orange-forward cocktail, this gin is price a attempt. 80 proof. B- / $38
On the bottle, this whiskey is described as “peat-smoked” and “triple distilled.” Their web site, nonetheless, supplies a way more advanced description, stating that it’s “a 5 half mix of Irish Malt and Grain Whiskey’s, each bringing a person factor.” It additional notes:
1. Irish triple distilled grain whiskey in a virgin cask will get a really darkish color from the heavy char toasting and provides a candy vanilla notice.
2. Irish triple distilled grain whiskey matured in ex-American bourbon casks, provides a light-weight and candy notice to the combo.
3. Sherry matured triple distilled malt whiskey which supplies physique to the drink.
4. Double distilled Irish malt whiskey which supplies a fruity-ester presence.
5. Peated triple distilled malt whiskey is once more matured in ex-American bourbon casks and brings a smoky flavour and lengthy rounded end.
Poured in a glass, the whiskey presents aromas of light peat, apple pie, cereal grains, and a contact of orange juice. The palate is analogous with comfortable peat, frivolously candy caramel, apple, and pie crust. The end is medium to lengthy. Just like the few different peated Irish whiskeys available on the market, the peat right here is mild and designed the pair with the opposite notes quite than overpower them. For the value, this can be a actually good peated Irish whiskey. 86 proof. B+ / $38
The Muff Liquor Firm Irish Vodka
USD38
