McConnell’s 5 Year Old Irish Whisky Review | Fruit-Forward Irish Blend

McConnell’s 5 Year Old Irish Whisky
Irish Blended Whisky
84 Proof
SRP: $36.99
Review

Please enjoy our McConnell’s 5 Year Old Irish Whisky Review!

Background – McConnell’s 5 Year Old Irish Whisky Review

McConnell’s Irish Whisky traces its heritage back to 1776, a date that appears on the bottle label and throughout the brand’s marketing materials. While the details surrounding the earliest years are somewhat sparse, the brand website notes that the McConnell family was involved in the spirits trade in Belfast during the late 18th century.

Early McConnell Family History

According to the brand’s historical account, Hugh McConnell was listed as a grocer and spirit dealer in Belfast. After his untimely death, his widow Eleanor continued the business and appeared in Martin’s Trade Directory in 1841 as a “rectifying distiller.” This suggests the family was involved in blending or refining spirits during that time. These historical references are described on the brand website.

The Cromac Distillery Era

The McConnell brothers eventually expanded operations and opened the Cromac Distillery in 1899 on Ravenhill Road in Belfast. According to the brand website, the distillery drew water from wells in the Cromac area known for their pure alkaline-free water. Cromac aerated water and ginger ale could be found in every major city in the world. McConnell’s took great pride in the use of the Cromac name. The original distillery ceased operations in the 1930s.

The Modern Revival of McConnell’s

The McConnell’s brand remained dormant for decades until it was revived by the Belfast Distillery Company, according to Whisky Magazine. The revived brand launched in 2020 using sourced whiskey while a new distillery was being constructed in Belfast. That distillery, McConnell’s Irish Whisky Distillery, located in the historic Crumlin Road Gaol, officially opened on April 17, 2024.

The whiskey used for current releases is sourced while the new distillery’s own spirit matures. According to The Whiskey Professor, the whiskey for McConnell’s Irish Whisky is sourced from the Great Northern Distillery.

Details – McConnell’s 5 Year Old Irish Whisky Review

• Expression: McConnell’s 5 Year Old Irish Whisky
• Type: Blended Irish Whisky
• Age: 5 Years
• Components: Blend of Irish malt and grain whiskies
• Maturation: First-fill bourbon barrels
• Proof: 84
• SRP: $36.99 / 750ml ($38.99 on the brand website)

Tasting Notes – McConnell’s 5 Year Old Irish Whisky Review

Let’s taste it:

🛏 Rested: 15 minutes in a Glencairn glass

👉🏻 Nose: Moderately sweet; sweet pears, honey, grapefruit, a hint of caramel; alcohol vapor appropriate for the proof
👉🏻 Taste: Grapefruit, sweet pears, honey, light caramel; soft and mildly sweet mouthfeel
👉🏻 Finish: Sweet tangerines along with the pears diminish but hang on to the end; moderately long; increasingly dry later on with dry wood, mild char and mild black pepper spice that lingers

Flavor Profile – McConnell’s 5 Year Old Irish Whisky Review

In McConnell’s 5 Year Old Irish Whisky, fruits are dominant, led by sweet pears with citrus notes that shift from grapefruit to tangerines later on. It is a bit surprising how those fruit flavors remain throughout the entire sip, although their intensity dissipates somewhat by the end. The bourbon barrel influence is fairly mild, with light caramel present in the nose and palate. Those barrels likely contribute some of the dry wood and char in the finish, as well.

The body overall is on the lighter side, with a particularly soft and mildly sweet palate. It is quite easy to drink.

A Fruit-Forward Irish Whisky with Pears, Citrus, and a Light Body

Overall, McConnell’s 5 Year Old Irish Whisky is an approachable, reasonably priced, and easy-drinking pour. In fact, I am finding it quite enjoyable. If you lean towards a fruit-forward Irish whiskey that is a bit lighter in body, this is one you will want to give a try.

Have you tried McConnell’s 5 Year Old Irish Whisky? What did you think? Cheers!🥃

We hope you have enjoyed our McConnell’s 5 Year Old Irish Whisky Review! Would you like to learn more about Irish Whiskey in general? Then check out our article: What is Irish Whiskey? If Irish Whiskey blended with American whiskey interests you, then check out these reviews: Keeper’s Heart Irish + American 110 Proof Whiskey Review and Keeper’s Heart Irish + Bourbon Review.

Note: This sample was graciously provided by the Brand for my review. I appreciate it!

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