Irish whiskey enthusiasts are in for a treat. For anyone who is new to the category, the folks at Proper No. Twelve have created the perfect expression to cut your teeth on. Proper No. Twelve is widely known for its widely-distributed entry level expression, which is the traditional Irish whiskey…a blend of malt whiskey and grain spirit which is aged for at least three years in ex-bourbon barrels. The latest offering is a different species; it is a limited edition single malt expression which is distilled from 100% malted barley and then it is aged in a combination of first-fill American oak bourbon casks and finished in second-fill European oak ruby port casks. This amounts to taking a classic Irish whiskey to an entirely new level of complexity and flavor profile.
It’s undeniable that Irish whiskey has enjoyed a growing and competitive market in the U.S. and elsewhere. Its popularity is increasing and household penetration figures show this to be the case. We have seen NAS (non-age statement) blended Irish Whiskeys finished in first-fill bourbon casks before that was less than successful. But this expression is a unique (and welcomed) departure for an Irish whiskey — being finished in both bourbon and port casks with an age statement of 13 years.
My initial question to the spokesperson at Proper No. Twelve was this: Whose brainchild is this product, and why was it developed now?
Answer: “The Proper No. Twelve 13-Year-Old Single Malt marks our first-ever aged expression – crafted with the same bold spirit, accessibility, and character that have defined us from the start. The limited release was an opportunity to honor traditional Irish whiskey and the (often-contested) birthplace of single malt whiskey!”
“To create our 13-Year-Old Single Malt, we didn’t just follow tradition; we challenged it. Our 13-Year-Old Single Malt is bottled at 86 proof and made from 100% malted barley. First, it’s aged in American oak bourbon casks for that smooth sweetness, rich vanilla, and warm spice. Then it’s aged in European oak ruby port casks, layering in dried fruit, soft tannins, and a refined edge. As a challenger brand, we’ve pushed boundaries by combining these traditional cask styles in a way that breaks from convention. This approach has truly resonated with consumers who seek a well-balanced whisky that stands apart from the rest.”
This 13-year-old expression not only stands apart, but I must argue that it stands above the crowd of current Irish whiskey expressions. The experience is unlike anything I have come to expect with a standard offering:
The aroma indeed maintains the initial “malty goodness” that we would expect. This is followed up by an introduction of sweet light stone fruits. Freshly baked and toasted bread compliments a warm, sweet, jammy note with golden raisins coming in last.
On the palate the expression is approachable with initial notes of apple pie and baking spice. More dark fruits arrive with raisin and berry notes. The finish is graceful and easy. There are sweet notes with some cherry here. The whole experience invites us to pour another dram.
“While Proper No. Twelve 13-Year-Old Single Malt is a more refined expression; it still reflects the foundation of the brand’s liquid profile — bold, accessible, and built for those who appreciate character. It is a great introduction to the brand for those whiskey drinkers who might not think they are single malt drinkers, and want something more approachable and inviting than a traditional age-statement whiskey. This is a way to recruit new drinkers who want to explore what the Irish Whiskey category can deliver, while still appealing to long-time fans of Proper No. Twelve.”
I asked if there a potential for other similarly finished expressions of P12 in the future:
“Why not! We’ll continue to be a challenger brand within the whiskey category, and find approachable new expressions that can bring in more American whiskey drinkers into Irish whiskey. That’s our aim.”
The Proper No. Twelve 13-Year-Old Single Malt is now available for a limited time in Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Tennessee, Texas, Arizona, and Washington for an SRP of $59.99.
