Proper No Twelve Irish Whiskey

Score: 65

Proper No. Twelve Irish Whiskey is distilled, aged, and bottled in Ireland, crafted from a blend of golden grain and full-flavored malted barley. It’s aged for a minimum of three years in bourbon barrels and promises a smooth, balanced profile with hints of vanilla, honey-like sweetness, and toasted wood. On paper, it reads like a solid entry-level dram, easygoing and approachable. But in practice, it fell flat. The nose offers caramel and ripe fruit, but the body feels thin, lacking the depth or richness that even modest Irish whiskeys often deliver. The palate is light, with fleeting notes of pear, green apple, and a touch of pepper, but there's an underlying rubbery funk that throws the whole experience off balance. The finish is short and forgettable, leaving behind a vague sweetness and a whisper of spice that never quite lands. In the club, it was met with polite sips and raised eyebrows. It wasn’t offensive, just... uninspired. The kind of bottle that feels more like a branding exercise than a labor of love. For all its smooth talk, Proper Twelve couldn’t shake the sense that it was trying to coast on celebrity rather than character. Disappointing, especially when there are far more compelling Irish options at the same price point.