This review covers Egan’s Bonder’s Blend, the everyday blend from Egan’s Irish Whiskey — not the brand’s other releases. I tasted the 700ml, 40% bottle sold in Japan, neat first, then with water, over ice and as a highball.
Above all, this is about vanilla-like sweetness and creaminess. The nose is sweet and gentle, with very little alcohol: vanilla, custard, dried fruit, passion fruit, herbs and a little spice. In the mouth it’s creamy and smooth, with vanilla, dried fruit, citrus, spice, nuts, floral notes and some oak, and the finish carries gentle sweetness and spice for a moderate length. I don’t pick up much from the Pineau des Charentes or Pedro Ximénez casks; they stay inside the overall balance rather than standing out.
That balance is very good and there’s nothing quirky about it, but the flavour comes across as a little flat and there isn’t much individuality. Neat, it’s sweet and easy to drink, yet it lacks the heft to feel truly satisfying: nothing counts against it, but not much stands out either. It’s an easy fit for newcomers and anyone who likes a gentle whisky.
Where it really comes into its own is with ice and soda. On the rocks, a little of the depth that’s missing neat starts to appear, with fruit and spice coming through clearly and the vanilla growing as the ice melts. As a highball it’s gently sweet rather than dry, fresh and well balanced, and the light character makes it very easy to drink. Whichever way I served it, the impression was the same: gentle and well balanced.
For another easygoing Irish blend that shines as a highball, see my Jameson Stout Edition review; for a richer, more sherried Irish blend, see Bushmills Black Bush, or browse our Irish Whiskey reviews.