Waterford Lakefield 1.1

Score: 64

Waterford Lakefield 1.1 is a whisky that promises a lot on paper but struggles to deliver in the glass. Made from barley grown at Lakefield Farm and matured in a mix of first-fill, virgin, French, and fortified wine casks, it’s bottled at 50 percent and carries all the hallmarks of Waterford’s terroir-driven philosophy. Unfortunately, the execution feels rushed. The nose is pleasant enough—malt, nougat, and caramel—but the palate quickly reveals its youth. There’s a sharp, green wood bitterness that clashes with the sweeter notes, and the finish is short, acrid, and oddly metallic. While the concept of single farm origin is intriguing, Lakefield 1.1 feels more like a work in progress than a fully formed whisky. The complexity hinted at in the aroma doesn’t carry through, and the cask influence seems muddled rather than harmonious. For club members expecting a refined Irish single malt, this one may disappoint. It’s intellectually interesting, but not especially enjoyable to drink. A dram better suited for analysis than pleasure. It has ended up on a club members shelf due to the lack of interest from the club in finishing the bottle..