Hey Everyone! Great news! I got into Element's Open Innovation program. I am helping them with their next release: the Element X-Series R/1.0, a single grain Irish Whiskey. I am verry happy about this, and I will do my best to help them along the way, creating an awesome whiskey. If you haven't read my previous review about Element and how they create their whiskies plus the Element Lore Single Malt, I urge you to CLICK HERE and check out that article aswell.

Briefly about Irish Single Grain Whiskey. Irish grain whiskey (or single grain whiskey if made at one single distillery) is the most produced style of whiskey made on the island of Ireland by volume and is one of the three styles of whiskey produced in the country alongside Irish malt whiskey and Irish pot still whiskey. This a relatively new category in the Irish Whiskey market. Cooley make a superb grain whiskey in Riverstown. The spirit comes off a column still at over 90% alcohol, making it much lighter than its pot still and malt counterparts. The maturation in various casks adds the layers of character. It's a style of whiskey that's great in cocktails but well worth experiencing on its own too.

I've got 3 sample from Element. The winner of these 3 samples will be bottled as the Element X-Series R/1.0 Single Grain Irish Whiskey. Lots of people took part in this development so I will be very curious which one will win overall.

"Element's X – Series is all about finding perfect synergies with inspirational partner brands. We develop and finish our whiskey in casks which held cutting edge wines and beers to create exceptional flavor intense experiences for you to enjoy.

Coming Soon"

Sample 1 / Irish Single Grain Whiskey / Ex-Bourbon Oak - Natural Color (?), Non-chill filtered, 43%

A fairly simple take of an Irish Single Grain Whiskey. No age statement, matured exclusively in ex-bourbon casks and bottled at 43%, non-chill filtered.

Nose: Right away, a big sweet nose with spiciness. Getting loads of vanilla and toffee from the ex-bourbon casks and the spirit itself. Very floral, freshly cut grass. Manuka honey and french toast with butter. You can tell this is a grain whiskey. Green apples from the orchard and citrus fruits. Great start.

Taste: Very sweet, round and soft. This is not what I at all expected. It's better than anticipated. The structure is quite oily. Green apples, vanilla, honey. Getting some digestive biscuits and toffee. Toasted oak.

Finish: The finish is quite long despite the 43% ABV. Pears and apples from the orchard. Vanilla and toffee with spices and some oak.

Definitely a great start. This is a good example of an Irish Single Grain Whiskey that was matured only in ex-bourbon casks. I think this whiskey is good for begginners also. 84 / 100

Sample 2 / Irish Single Grain Whiskey / Ex-Floridian Rum - Natural Color (?), Non-chill filtered, 43%

This is getting interesting as it goes on. Ex-Floridian Rum. Hmm. Never had one myself. Must be great. Probably tasty. But what is Floridian Rum? It is often crafted using locally sourced ingredients, such as sugarcane, citrus fruits, and spices, which give it a distinct regional character. Florida rum can encompass a wide range of styles and flavors, from light and fruity to rich and complex.

Nose: Wow. Very tropical and sweet. Vanilla and toffee as per usual. This one also has a nice floral scent. Again freshly cut grass. Getting some lovely ripe mango and banana. A touch of oak spice and pineapple. Molasses and dark honey. Interesting.

Taste: Extremely smooth and round. Triple distillation at its finest. Very oily, creamy texture. Vanilla and caramel along with sugar and molasses. Tropical fruits such as mango, papaya, banana and pineapple. Green apples in the background with a hint of orange peel. Very tasty.

Finish: Smooth. Quite long and warming. Getting tropical fruits and vanilla. Molasses and oak spice. Great.

Overall this is a step up from the previous sample. I do like rum and the cask here left it's signature on the spirit. Great stuff. I could see this bottled. Rum aged / finish whiskeys are in high demand in my opinion. A solid 87 / 100.

Sample 3 / Irish Single Grain Whiskey / Ex-Mexican Tequila - Natural Color (?), Non-chill filtered, 43%

We are going into deep waters here. Ex-Mexican Tequila cask. A spirit I never liked and I probably never will. Tequila. However I've had tequila finished whiskies before and they weren't at all terrible. What is Tequila? Tequila is a distilled beverage made from the blue agave plant, primarily in the area surrounding the city of Tequila 65 km northwest of Guadalajara, and in the Jaliscan Highlands (Los Altos de Jalisco) of the central western Mexican state of Jalisco.

Nose: Vanilla and citrus fruits right away. Green apples and pears. Ginger, green tea, herbaceousness, rhubarb, celery. Tropical fruits such as mango and banana, baked pineapple and a whiff of oak spice. Quite and interesting nose if you ask me. Not bad.

Taste: Clean, fresh, buttery, butterscotch. Very oily texture again. Smooth and tasty. Vanilla and toffee with baked apples and cinnamon. Baked pineapple, fresh mango and papaya. A hint of coconut and oak. Some grain notes can be found here. Great taste.

Finish: Long and smooth. Rich in flavor. Celery and agave on the tip of the tongue with baked apples and pineapples and some toasted oak and oak spice. Great.

So, what to say? I think this is a great dram. However, as I am not a fan of Tequila I am not such a huge fan of the Tequila cask aging or finishing either. These herbaceous notes like rhubarh, celery and agave are just not for me. I will give this 85 /100. I think it's a bit better than the normal ex-bourbon cask matured whiskey because it takes an extra step and it adds more complexity to the drink itself. I think people that like Tequila would love this whiskey because it has notes from Tequila for sure.

Closing thoughts, choosing the winner

Secondly I am not a huge fan of Single Grain whiskey but I have to say, these were pretty fun and tasty. Also very good quality. I'd definitely recommend them.

THE WINNER FOR ME is the second sample. Ex-Floridian Rum cask. I really like rum and I really like the influence it leaves on this Single Grain whiskey.

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Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed it. To many more. Sláinte.