Sadler’s Peaky Blinder Irish Whiskey

Blended Irish Whiskey 40%

Region: Ireland

Age: NAS

Strength: 40% ABV

Colouring: I think so

Chill Filtered: I think so

Peaky Blinders is one of the biggest BBC shows in modern times and has dripped into modern culture from hairstyles to flat caps. While the gang is based in Birmingham, this is a Irish Whiskey from County Cork Ireland. The official reason is said to be nod to the Irish community prevalent at the time period the Peaky Blinders gang was active.

From doing research Sadler’s, the company behind this range, already produce the Pogues Irish Whiskey which I bet is a similar match in taste. Also some of the pubs that feature in the show are owned by Sadler’s so there is some legitimacy behind this venture. Being distilled in County Cork, Ireland it looks like this bottle could come from West Cork Distillers.

Experience

I am a fan of the branding on the bottle with the use of gold embossed text and keeping it minimal. The detail of the razorblade inside the P on the title is a great touch which could easily go unnoticed. It is surrounded by the feeling of being a bit of a cash grab on a successful show especially how this bottle is being pushed as gift sets in UK department stores.

Interestingly later bottles show the words “Blended” on the front label while this one you really have to hunt for that on the back of the bottle. While searching around I was unable to find if it was chill filtered and artificially coloured however judging by the price, I feel it is a safe guess.

Nose

This is not a glass that you want to stick your nose right into. At only 40% the ethanol is somehow so pungent with this overpowering metallic waft. The more you power through you can get the sweet smell of toffee covered apples and fruit and nut from the Sherry cask aging.

Taste

The first few sips provide fresh green pears, with soft warming vanilla. This sharply turns into a sugar covered coin like a lose penny rolling around in a bag of pear drops. After returning to this bottle this dram really benefits from leaving for some time half full as the sherry notes really become more prominent.

All the flavours dissipate quite quickly, leaving the taste of copper and cinnamon in the mouth. It leaves feeling harsh and warm for a few seconds, then disappears completely.

Value for Money

I have seen lots of reviews bashing this as a cheap nasty cash grab however for me it works for the target market. Whiskey connoisseurs will look down on this, however if you are able to pick it up for £15 I think it is fair game. Looking online the label and description has changed however can still be found below £20.