Egan's Conviction Irish Whiskey Review

Egan's Irish whiskey has been a brand on my radar for several years, and just when I've got my hands on a limited edition bottle of Egan's Centenary, I now have the Egan's Conviction Irish Whiskey in my possession. Egan's Conviction is out to prove a point, setting a benchmark after being awarded World Whiskies Award: Category Winner for 12 years & under.

Egan’s Conviction 10-year-old Irish whiskey is a blend of single malt and single grain Irish whiskeys, each aged for at least 10 years, married together, and finished in XO Cognac casks. 

“Conviction’ is a word meant to extol the virtues not only of our heritage, but also of what we expect to accomplish in the future,”. “The generations of talented whiskey men and women who came before were known not only for their powerfully held beliefs, but their good works as well. We strive to continue on the path they defined with this exciting bottling.”

- Jonathan Egan, Re-Founder of Egan's Whiskey

Egan’s Irish whiskey was founded in the 1800s by Patrick Egan. In 1852, his two sons established P. & H. Egan Limited which grew to be a respected business in Tullamore. For the next 116 years, P. & H. Egan Ltd. was widely known to provide some of the finest Irish Whiskey to the world.

The business was family-run for four generations until the Egan family voluntarily closed the business in 1968.

However, in 2013 the fifth and sixth generations, Maurice and Jonathan Egan, breathed new life into the dormant enterprise and have since been sourcing and aging expressions that celebrate their lineage.

Their first expression was launched in 2014, Egan's 10-year-old single malt. Though it was technically new to the market, Egan’s releases are seen as more of a rebirth of the historic family brand, still owned by direct descendants. 

“Egan’s Irish Whiskey is incredibly proud of its history. With an eye to the traditions from which we have come, we endeavor with each bottle of Egan’s to create a legacy for the future.”

John Ralph, CEO of Intrepid Spirits

Egan's Conviction Irish Whiskey is finished in the finest XO Cognac barrels, Egan's Conviction fronts up with luscious aromas. Cognac finish brings a certain floral aspect to the aroma, fine oak and sandalwood with dark fruit and toffee. Also malt notes with vanilla harmonised with sweet cereal grains, honey oats and dried apricot.

On the first few sips, the 46% alcohol heats the palate lightly. The whiskey feels spicy but also quite smooth considering the alcohol content. Spicy raisins melded into oak and vanilla with some musty flavours such as leather, with sweet spices of caramelized ginger, marzipan with a light citrus peel finish.

The finish is long and lasting, with sweet honey and vanilla, yet light spices such as cherry licorice, marmalade, oak spice, and vanilla. There's a lingering sweetness of red licorice, some spiciness of oak, and hints of light chocolate. All in all, a delicious pour!

Egan’s Conviction Irish Whiskey is part of the Intrepid Spirits portfolio, is bottled at 46%, and is available to purchase in Ireland at Celtic Whiskey Shop at €90.  

Tasting Notes: Egan's Conviction Irish Whiskey Review

Nose: 
Floral, fine oak, and sandalwood with dark fruit and toffee. Also, malt notes with vanilla harmonized with sweet cereal grains, honey oats, and dried apricot.

Palate:
Spicy raisin melded into oak and vanilla with some musty flavours such as leather, with sweet spices of caramelized ginger, marzipan with a light citrus peel finish.

Finish:
The finish is long and lasting, with sweet honey and vanilla, yet light spices such as cherry licorice, marmalade, oak spice, and vanilla. There's a lingering sweetness of red licorice, some spiciness of oak, and hints of light chocolate.