Celtic Honey Beekeeper's Blend Whiskey Review & Tasting Notes

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know there’s a whiskey boom. Slowly but surely, brands are transitioning from producing whiskey liqueurs to formulating flavored whiskeys. Not only are folks gravitating to higher-proof spirits, but they also tend to offer more options when making cocktails, thus expanding their market share.

 

Today, I’m exploring Celtic Honey Beekeeper’s Blend, a flavored whiskey made with all-natural Irish honey, distilled Irish whiskey, and flavors of native Irish flora. The prior release of Celtic Honey was a liqueur made from a blend of primarily neutral grain neutral spirits (GNS) and Irish whiskey. It was 30% ABV (60°). Beekeeper’s Blend is packaged at 40% ABV (80°), and you can expect to pay around $24.99 for a 750ml bottle.

 

“Celtic Honey Beekeeper’s Blend is a great way to bring a touch of sweetness to any occasion. Highlighted by all-natural honey, Celtic Honey Beekeeper’s Blend adds a deliciously floral flavor and texture, whether you enjoy it over ice, as a shot or an unexpected ingredient in a cocktail.” – Allison O’Brien, Luxco’s Irish Portfolio Brand Manager  

 

I thank Luxco for providing me with a sample of Beekeeper’s Blend in exchange for my no-strings-attached, honest review.

 

I have planned a head-to-head showdown with various honey whiskeys and liqueurs from Ireland, Canada, and the United States. That’s a future review.

 

For now, let’s #DrinkCurious and discover how this one tastes.

 

Appearance: I sipped this flavored whiskey neat from my Glencairn glass because every whiskey I review is judged on a neat pour. It was, as absolutely expected, the color of honey. The medium rim that formed which released thick, slow tears.

 

Nose: I smelled rich vanilla, bold honey, grass, and lemon oil. Drawing the air through my lips exposed me to honey and hay.

 

Palate: The texture was thick and silky. There wasn’t a front/middle/back on my palate, but I tasted potent vanilla cream, raw honey, a dab of cinnamon, lemon zest, and oak.  

 

Finish: What was left behind was vanilla, raw honey, and lemon zest. The cinnamon and oak notes left quickly. Overall, it possessed a medium-short duration.

 

Bottle, Bar, or Bust: Celtic Honey Beekeeper’s Blend wasn’t quite what I expected. I figured it would be just a honey bomb. While honey was prominently featured, the flavor of vanilla stole the show. I was also impressed by the richness of the mouthfeel. I enjoyed this neat. If I had a cocktail that asked for a honey liqueur, I assume this would make a flavorful substitute.

 

For $25.00, I was impressed, and I believe you’ll be, too. It earns my Bottle rating. Cheers!

 

My Simple, Easy-to-Understand Rating System

• Bottle = Buy It
• Bar = Try It
• Bust = Leave It

 

Whiskeyfellow encourages you to enjoy your whiskey as you see fit but begs you to do so responsibly.