Drink of the Week: High N' Wicked "The Wild Rover" Single Malt Irish Whiskey - Imbibe Magazine Subscribe + Save

Drink of the Week: High N’ Wicked “The Wild Rover” Single Malt Irish Whiskey

I’ve always had a soft spot for Irish whiskey, reveling in the oftentimes mellow and fruit-forward flavors the category tends to offer. That said, I don’t often find a bottle that makes me do a double-take upon first sip. Enter: High N’ Wicked’s The Wild Rover, the second limited-edition release from Jackson, Wyoming-based High N’ Wicked, a whiskey company that develops expressive distillates in conjunction with Altamar Brands (who also helped bring spirits like Foursquare and Probitas rums to market). Made with 100% local malted barley at Royal Oak Distillery in County Carlow, Ireland, the Wild Rover is triple-distilled in copper pot stills and aged in ex-Bourbon barrels then ex-Pedro Jimenez sherry barrels, non-chill filtered and bottled at cask strength (58.7% ABV).

I’m hard-pressed to recall another Irish whiskey with such gravitas—the nose beckons with alluring aromas of treacle and honey, ripe fig and black walnut, with just enough of the malted barley quality shining through at the end to remind you of its place of origin. When sipped over a single cube to help open up its personality, the flavors reveal a stately whiskey with an old soul. With a stout structure from the time spent in old bourbon casks, the liquid tastes rich and layered with folds of buttery sweetness and some of the typical dried fruit notes one might expect from the influence of the sherry barrel. It lingers long and low with a chewy nutty quality that is nothing short of moreish. Overall, it’s a thoughtful gift for the ardent fan of Irish whiskey, or in the spirit of treating yourself after a few difficult years—this whiskey is one to be savored—a sublime splurge for any whiskey collection. $168.99, altamarbrands.com

Enjoy This Article?

Sign up for our newsletter and get biweekly recipes and articles delivered to your inbox.

Send this to a friend