Proper No. Twelve’s New Irish Whiskey Has More Smoke and Swagger
Since its founding in 2018, Proper No. Twelve Irish Whiskey has released three unique expressions: its flagship blended Irish whiskey, an apple-flavored version, and a limited-edition 13-year-old single malt.
Arriving just in time for St. Patrick’s Day, the brand is releasing Proper No. Twelve Black Reserve Irish Whiskey, which is a blend of single malt and grain whiskey. Like the brand’s flagship expression, Black Reserve is aged for a minimum of four years. What sets it apart is the fact that it’s aged in heavily charred American oak barrels that previously held bourbon, which imbues the liquor with intense flavors of toasted wood and decadent caramel.
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The whiskey is produced at the Bushmills Distillery in Northern Ireland and is bottled at 80-proof (40 percent ABV). The town of Bushmills received its distilling license back in 1608 and the distillery opened in 1784. For decades it was the only distillery in Ireland that continued to make single malt whiskey.
Courtesy Proper No. Twelve Irish Whiskey
“We want Black Reserve to reinforce what Proper No. Twelve has been about from the start: expert craftsmanship, approachability and more than 400 years of whiskey production and blending expertise,” executive vice president of marketing and innovation at Proximo Spirits, Lander Otegui, said in a statement. “The toasted wood and heartier caramel notes from the heavily charred barrels balanced by the gentle vanilla sweetness, is a great testament to that.”
While Proper No. Twelve was originally started by Irish MMA fighter Conor McGregor, it is no longer affiliated with him. The brand is now owned by Proximo Spirits, which also owns Bushmills Whiskey and Jose Cuervo Tequila.
Courtesy Proper No. Twelve Black Reserve Irish Whiskey
Proper No. Twelve Black Reserve Irish Whiskey Price & Availability
Proper No. Twelve Black Reserve is available now at retailers and bars nationwide for a suggested retail price of $33 per 750 ml bottle. The brand recommends enjoying it neat, on the rocks, or in an old-fashioned sweetened with a bar spoon of honey.