The Quiet Man is an Irish whiskey brand that is owned by Niche Drinks. The brand is named after the father of Managing Director Ciaran Mulgrew, who was a well known bartender in Ireland for over 50 years but a man of few words. His name was John Mulgrew and he was known as ‘The Quiet Man’. This translates as An Fear Ciuin in to Irish Gaelic and this also features on the brand logo. The current whiskeys in the range are sourced and matured by Niche Drinks, who are best known for their range of Irish cream liqueurs.
The Quiet Man whiskeys are now distributed in over 20 countries across the world and are available through selected specialist whiskey retailers. The range is small but well formed with a 40% ABV blended whiskey and a 40% ABV 8 years old single malt.
Our Tasting Notes
The Quiet Man Blend
This traditional Irish blend is made up of single grain and single malt whiskeys, which have been matured in ex-bourbon casks. The whiskey is bottled at 40% ABV and retails for £35.
The colour is pale gold and the nose is light delicate and fresh. There are initial aromas of honey and vanilla with a hint of toffee. This is backed up by malty cereals, white chocolate, cinnamon spice and green apple, plus whiffs of earthy ginger and dried hay.
On the palate this whiskey is again light and fresh with an instant and defined sweetness – this is reminiscent of honey, fudge and icing sugar. Then come notes of vanilla, delicate baking spices (think of the cinnamon and ginger from the nose, plus clove and mace), white chocolate and a hint of white pepper. A pleasant fruitiness is also present and has a feel of green apple and candied lemon. Late notes of dried mango and hay add depth. The finish is short and crisp – the sweetness fades rapidly to leave the warmer, drier and maltier characteristics to linger.
The Quiet Man 8 Years Old
This is an Irish single malt from an undisclosed distillery that has been matured and bottled by Niche Drinks. It is bottled at 40% ABV and has been matured in ex-bourbon casks and finished in fresh ex-bourbon barrels. The retail price is £45.
The whiskey is golden yellow in colour and the nose is lovely and expressive. There are initial aromas of vanilla, honey and tropical fruits (think of mango, pineapple and peach especially), along with hints of green apple and gingerbread.
On the palate the whiskey feels very soft and sweet with a hint of gentle and warming baking spice. There are a lovely combination of notes – think of honey, vanilla, golden syrup, crisp green apple, candied lemon peel, dried mango and cinnamon. Underneath are hints of malted barley, gingerbread, dried pineapple, over ripe banana, peach and a pinch of clove. It is very good and well balanced. The finish is long and warming. The sweet and fruity elements slowly fade to leave the warming wood spices and bittersweet malty notes to remain and fight for attention.
