There's a quiet confidence to Glendalough Pot Still that I find rather appealing. In a market increasingly crowded with Irish whiskeys chasing trends — finished in every cask under the sun, bottled with elaborate backstories — this one simply presents itself as what it is: a single pot still Irish whiskey, bottled at 43% ABV, with no age statement and no apologies.
Single pot still is, of course, Ireland's great contribution to the whisky lexicon. The style demands a mashbill of both malted and unmalted barley, distilled in copper pot stills, and the result is something you won't find replicated in Scotland, Japan, or Kentucky. That combination of grain produces a characteristic weight and spice — a creamy, almost oily texture punctuated by peppery warmth — that sets pot still apart from its single malt cousin. Glendalough's interpretation sits at a very approachable price point of £49.25, which positions it squarely as an everyday dram rather than a shelf trophy.
Tasting Notes
I won't fabricate specific notes where my memory would only be guessing at precision. What I will say is that this whisky drinks true to style. At 43%, it carries enough weight to feel substantial without the burn that might deter someone newer to pot still whiskey. There's a roundness here that speaks to decent cask selection, and while the NAS designation means we're left guessing at maturation specifics, the liquid itself doesn't taste young or rushed. It sits comfortably in that middle ground — approachable but not hollow.
The Verdict
Glendalough Pot Still earns its place on my shelf for one simple reason: it does what single pot still whiskey should do, and it does it without demanding a premium for the privilege. At £49.25, you're paying a fair price for a genuinely Irish style of whiskey that too few distilleries still produce with any real conviction. Is it going to rewrite what you know about the category? No. But it's a solid, well-made spirit that rewards attention without requiring devotion.
I'm giving this a 7.7 out of 10. That reflects a whiskey that I'd happily pour for a friend who tells me they want to understand what Irish pot still actually tastes like — and one I'd reach for on a Tuesday evening without a second thought. It loses marks only because, at this price bracket, there are one or two competitors with a touch more complexity. But Glendalough holds its ground with integrity, and that counts for something.
Best Served
Neat, at room temperature, with perhaps five drops of water if you want to open the texture up slightly. The 43% ABV means it doesn't need much coaxing. If you're in the mood for something longer, a simple Highball with good soda water and a twist of lemon peel works remarkably well — pot still whiskey's inherent spice and body stand up to dilution better than most. Avoid ice if you can; the creaminess that defines this style retreats when it's too cold.
