A relatively new independent label, Tri Carragh was recently introduced to the Dutch market by SPIRITS.services. Today we’ll review this brand’s fourth release, which includes a Glen Elgin, Tamnavulin and Macduff. But we’ll start with a nice aperitif from the Lowlands.

Tri Carragh is part of Stravaig Spirits, an Edinburgh based bottler run by friends Ryan McCafferty and Ola Lopatowska. Both have spent several years on the infamous tasting panel from the Scotch Malt Whisky Society. They also worked together at Cask88, a cask trading company, before founding Stravaig Spirits in June 2021. They released their first whiskies in October the following year.

All bottlings from Tri Carragh are released as a trio, in keeping with the Gaelic name, which stands for ‘three pillars’. It also refers to the three ingredients for whisky: water, barley and yeast.

Dalrymple 10 Years (59.3%, Tri Carragh, 2023)

Re-racked into a 1st Fill Oloroso Hogshead in May 2021.

Nose: Beautiful balance between fresh orchard fruits and slightly sweeter notes. Almost like a dessert wine at times, without the vinous pitfalls. Hints of treacle and blackcurrants, but also pomegranate and strawberry gelato. Also cloves and milk chocolate.
Taste: Hints of coffee, walnuts and soft spices. There’s a touch of white pepper, some almonds, and treacle too. Then notes of plums, dates and chocolate pralines. Finally a tinge of eucalyptus.
Finish: Medium to long. Lingering spices, some tobacco and cinnamon. Then jammy red fruits to end.

Conclusion

It hits on many levels. The finish was spot on. There’s a slight aggressiveness to the palate without going overboard. The great thing is that it swims well, so you can just add water if it’s a little too much for you.

8.8

Glen Elgin 12 Years (55.5%, Tri Carragh, 2024)

Finished in a 1st Fill Tawny Port Barrique for 15 months.

Nose: Gentle whiffs of Demerara sugar and some oak char as well. Then hints of cherry-flavoured candy canes and dark chocolate. Somewhat floral too. The Port seemingly isn’t terribly influential here yet, which could be a good thing.
Taste: Dark, sweet fruits with intense, almost burnt caramel. Also notes of orange zest, cloves and cinnamon. A gently cloying mouthfeel, but mostly subtle. Also just a touch of chalk.
Finish: Medium length. Lingering zesty notes.

Conclusion

Much like the Dalrymple and Tamnavulin, this seems to have been bottled at the right time. A finish that adds but doesn’t subtract. And that’s kind of the whole point, isn’t it?

8.6

Tamnavulin 12 Years (56.8%, Tri Carragh, 2024)

Finished in a 1st fill Pedro Ximenez Sherry Hogshead for 9 months.

Nose: An inviting mixture of vibrant fruits and candy-esque sweetness. There’s a tinge of sultanas, but also strawberries and a good amount of orange zest. Then tart apples and chocolate mousse.
Taste: The palate is pleasant. More of those vibrant citrus fruits, such as clementines, but also dried apricots and walnuts. Then soft tannins and subtle spices.
Finish: Medium length. The spices linger. Somewhat dry at times. A touch of aniseed as well.

Conclusion

There’s a good balance between the influence of the Pedro Ximénez cask and the original maturation vessel. It’s not overdone in any way. Slightly tannic there at the end.

8.4

Macduff 13 Years (61.8%, Tri Carragh, 2024)

Finished in a Rubino Marsala Red Wine cask for 17 months.

Nose: A gentle note of Calvados, then some bready notes and cinnamon. Somewhat closed though, but maybe water helps. It certainly brings out big vanilla notes, but also gentle tropical notes. A sliver of cassis, winegums and chocolate truffles too.
Taste: Plenty of blackcurrants and blackberries, but then a good amount of black pepper and spices. With water there’s room for a nice tartness, but it also brings out some burnt toast and meringues.
Finish: Medium length. Gentle orchard fruits and some soft greener notes. But also touches of marzipan. A tad dry.

Conclusion

Again, a good balance between the finishing cask and the original maturation vessel. The wine influence is noticeable, not yet dominant. Slightly dry at times.

8.3

Samples provided by SPIRITS.services