11

WHIS KEYS
www.whiskymag.com Celebrating the whiskies of Ireland

TASTED

REVIEWS
INCLUDE
The Busker
Clonakilty
Fercullen
Glendalough
Hinch
Jameson
Paddy’s

Cooper’s Craft
Teeling
Tipperary
Two Stacks
The Whistler Ger Buckley on a life shaping oak
and the future of whiskey

Meet
Sarah Dowling
Kilbeggan’s master blender

Irish Whiskey
Annual Review
Looking back on the
highs and lows July 2021
A

publication
A supplement to Whisky Magazine
xxxxxxx xxxxxx

WHISKEY DISTILLERIES
OF IRELAND 2021
Bushmills
Crolly
LONDONDERRY
ANTRIM
DONEGAL
NORTHERN
IRELAND Copeland

Sliabh Liag TYRONE BELFAST

Hinch
Rademon Estate
FERMANAGH
ARMAGH DOWN Echlinville

Lough Gill Killowen

MONAGHAN
SLIGO
Connacht The Shed Cooley
Irish American LEITRIM Great Northern
Whiskey
CAVAN LOUTH
MAYO
ROSCOMMON LONGFORD Boann
Lough Measc Slane
MEATH
WESTMEATH
Kilbeggan Pearse Lyons
DUBLIN
GALWAY Roe & Co Dublin Liberties
Micil
OFFALY DUBLIN
Tullamore KILDARE Teeling Whiskey
Powerscourt

Burren REPUBLIC OF IRELAND Glendalough

LAOIS WICKLOW
CLARE
Glendree Royal Oak
Ballykeefe
TIPPERARY CARLOW
KILKENNY
LIMERICK
WEXFORD
Tipperary
Waterford
Blackwater
KERRY WATERFORD
Dingle
Killarney CORK Midleton

Blacks
Clonakilty
West Cork

2 Irish Whiskey | 2021

 INTRODUCTION
CHRISTOPHER COATES

RISE OF THE 04 What’s next for Irish whiskey?

William Lavelle, head of the Irish Whiskey

EMERALD ISLE Association, discusses the category’s

progress from bust to boom and looks
forward to an even brighter future

06 The Irish Year in Review

Watching the meteoric rise of the Irish whiskey category over the past
few years has been some real ‘blink-and-you-miss-it’ viewing. What was a Mark Jennings looks back on the past year
trickle of Irish whiskeys being sent to us for review in each issue of Whisky and muses on whether Irish whiskey might
Magazine‰”‡™–‘ƒ•–‡ƒ†›ϐŽ‘™ƒ†–Š‡ƒ–‘””‡–ǡ™‹–Šƒƒ……‘’ƒ›‹‰ be the world’s most exciting spirit category
deluge of press releases now landing in our inboxes on a daily basis. One
would have to be almost wilfully unaware not to notice the revolution
taking place across the water on the Emerald Isle.
16 INTERVIEW: Ger Buckley
Once upon a time, our pages were dominated by stories from Scotland and
the United States, with perhaps a smattering of pieces relating to Canadian, Jacopo Mazzeo speaks with Jameson’s
Japanese and other ‘world’ whisky, including Irish. With as few as two working master cooper, Ger Buckley, about a life
distilleries operating on the island of Ireland in recent memory, it’s small working with oak and shaping the future of
wonder that we didn’t historically have much to write about. Well, as they say, Irish whiskey
you wait for a bus for hours and then three come at once—or, in this case, 34.
What really drove things home for me was the process of updating our Irish
20 INTERVIEW: Sarah Dowling
distillery map for this issue and comparing it to the same map from previous
editions of this supplement. Even during the process of updating the map a new Millie Milliken speaks with Kilbeggan’s
entry had to be added for the new Killarney Brewery & Distillery, which came master distiller and blender, Sarah
on steam this summer. Dowling, about her unexpected career in
Beyond the new distilleries, there has been an explosion in the volume of the whiskey industry
independent bottlings of Irish whiskey. These expressions, though drawing from
a limited pool of mature stock, have played a vital role in generating excitement
24 Tastings
around the Irish whiskey category and have helped the category gain the
Christopher and Phoebe blind taste a
momentum now propelling it into the bright future that lies ahead.
selection of new Irish whiskeys and offer
their opinions

29 IRISH WHISKEY DIRECTORY

SPECIAL PROMOTION
News and information about a selection
Irish Whiskey is a supplement to of Irish whiskey producers
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HEAD OF THE IRISH WHISKEY ASSOCIATION
IRISH WHISKEY’S NEXT STEP
Can the seemingly unstoppable growth continue?
T
he publication in December
2020 of the Irish Whiskey
Association’s report on the
decade from 2010–2020 allowed pause
ˆ‘”–Š‘—‰Š–ƒ†”‡ϐŽ‡…–‹‘‘™Šƒ–™ƒ•
a phenomenal period of restoration for
the Irish whiskey industry. Going from
four to 38 distilleries and achieving 140
per cent global sales growth marked
an unprecedented turnaround for an
industry that was nearly wiped out.
Today, Irish whiskey is entering
the more senior stages of a spirit
category boom. This inherently brings
new opportunities and challenges. In
established markets in North America
and across Europe, Irish whiskey’s
momentum will continue to draw
in new consumers, albeit in a highly
saturated and competitive marketplace.
‘”‡•‹‰‹ϐ‹…ƒ–Ž›ǡ†‡ƒ†ˆ‘”
higher-end Irish whiskeys in these
markets continues to snowball. In
newer markets across Asia and Africa,
Irish whiskey sales have – up until
recently – been negligible. However,
THOUGHTS FROM
WILLIAM LAVELLE,
Grasping the opportunities for
Irish whiskey in this new decade
will require meeting the challenge of
communicating about the Irish whiskey
category in new markets and to new
consumers. Thankfully, Irish whiskey
has a great story to tell.
Our industry has committed to
preserving traditionality as the critical
underpinning of our geographic
indication. Yet, it has been equally
daring in driving innovation and
new product development. This dual
Our industry has come
back from the depths.
Now it can scale
the heights
ambition has been very much at the
forefront of our collective deliberation
as the Association has commenced and
Ž‡†ƒ”‡˜‹‡™‘ˆ‘—”–‡…Š‹…ƒŽϐ‹Ž‡ǤŠ‹•
dual ambition has been central to the
beating releases competing in the
premium price segment and above,
from the quintessentially Irish single
pot still to single malts, single grains
and some of the world’s best blends.
Our Association recently launched
a multi-faceted #DiscoverIrishWhiskey
campaign, to spark consumer
excitement in the depth and diversity
of the category. The message is
simple: there are more brands, more
expressions, more styles and more
ways to enjoy Irish whiskey.
The closure of the on-trade in our
major markets has seen a consumer
pivot to home consumption and to
greater use of the online retailer. The
rise of e-commerce has provided a
major lifeline to many smaller and
medium-sized Irish whiskey producers.
In addition, it is opening up a range
of new possibilities for Irish whiskey
brands to engage with consumers and,
more importantly, vice-versa. While the
on-trade will reopen, the position of
e-commerce as a major sale channel for
rapidly increasing consumer demand
for premium international spirits has
presented an opening.
But selling Irish whiskey has
never been easy, and it’s all the
harder if the consumer has little to
no understanding or appreciation
of what we know to be a unique and
outstanding spirits category. Yet, Irish
whiskey remains unheard of in many
emerging markets, while the character
and quality of Irish whiskey remains an
unknown to many whiskey drinkers in
markets where Irish whiskey sales are
‘–Š‡”™‹•‡ϐŽ‘—”‹•Š‹‰Ǥ
4 Irish Whiskey | 2021
Irish whiskey revival and renaissance.
The phenomenal pace of the past
decade has been spearheaded by
the three leading brands of Jameson,
Tullamore D.E.W. and Bushmills. The
role of these three iconic brands in
Irish whiskey’s global rebound should
not be understated. Meanwhile, our
new wave of distilleries, the availability
of more aged stock from more sources,
and a pioneering approach to NPD
have all come together in an explosion
of expressions. Irish whiskey is being
seen in a new light: a world leader
‹…ƒ•ϐ‹‹•Š‹‰ǡ™‹–Š‘”‡™‘”Ž†Ǧ
”‹•Š™Š‹•‡›‹•‘™ϐ‹”Ž›‡•–ƒ„Ž‹•Š‡†
and here to stay.
With more opportunities in sight, I
am convinced that Irish whiskey can
continue to grow global sales and that
growth is there to be shared across the
board for those who work hard and
work smart. At company and category
level, effort is required. Our industry
has come back from the depths. Now it
can scale the heights.
Learn more about the campaign
#DiscoverIrishWhiskey at: ibec.ie/
drinksireland/irish-whiskey
IRISH WHISKEY Annual Review
The Difference
a Year Makes
If this is what Irish distillers can do during a challenging year,
the next might just show Irish whiskey to be the most exciting
category in the world
I
t was not all that long ago that Ireland had three
distillery businesses with three predominant styles:
the triple-distilled single malt from Bushmills in the
north; the mighty Irish Distillers at Midleton, making
pure pot still and blends in the south; and Cooley,
the relative newcomer, double distilling its single malt.
That’s the way it was for decades. Now there are a whopping
37 distilleries operating, and another nine in planning or
early stages of build – and that doesn’t include the many
independent bottlers, or ‘bonders’ and ‘merchants’, as they
like to be called here.
6 Irish Whiskey | 2021
WORDS MARK JENNINGS
Ireland is undoubtedly one of the world’s most exciting
frontiers of new whisky making, with rules governing
production that are not quite so restrictive as those applied
to neighbouring distilleries in Scotland. This allows for
the traditional pot still style using a mash of malted and
unmalted barley, while also not restricting the use of wood to
‘ƒƒŽ‘‡ǡ„”‹‰‹‰ƒ”‡ƒŽ†‹˜‡”•‹–›‘ˆϐŽƒ˜‘—”•–‘–Š‹•ƒŽ”‡ƒ†›
vibrant scene. Then there’s the bonders, with their distinct
’ƒ…ƒ‰‹‰ƒ†‘ˆ–‡…Ž‡˜‡”…ƒ•ϐ‹‹•Š‡•ǡƒ††‹‰ƒ‘–Š‡”
dimension to this kaleidoscope of distillate styles. Think you
know what Irish whiskey is all about? Think again.
 IRISH WHISKEY Annual Review

Š‡ϐ‹”•–‘ˆ–Š‡‘•–•‹‰‹ϐ‹…ƒ––”‡†•‹”‹•Š™Š‹•‡› The rise of peat is partly due to trade distiller Great
this past year has been the rise of peated expressions. ‘”–Š‡”‹•–‹ŽŽ‡”›ǯ•ϐ‹”•–™Š‹•‡›…‘‹‰‘ˆƒ‰‡Ǥ–Šƒ•
Despite tales of some old poitin being peated, it had wisely laid down almost every distillate style possible to
’”‡˜‹‘—•Ž›„‡‡”ƒ”‡–‘ϐ‹†ƒ•‘›•’‹”‹–‹”‡Žƒ†ǡ
with just one product on the market, but that all changed
through 2019–20. Challenging the conventions that Irish
whiskey should be all about sweetness and light came
the likes of Teeling’s Blackpitts single malt, distilled at its
Dublin distillery, which met a positive reception. From
the bonders, most notable were the popular Big Phil from
W.D. O’Connell and Sliabh Liag’s set of Silkie releases.
meet potential market demand, though it’s been reported
that even the distillery team was surprised by the interest
in peated Irish.
It’s not all GND, though, with many other distilleries
quietly laying down peated stock for their own future
releases, including Blackwater, Killowen and Dingle, the
peat fanatics at Rademon Estate Distillery, and up to a
dozen others.
2021 | Irish Whiskey 7
IRISH WHISKEY Annual Review
‘–Š‡”•‹‰‹ϐ‹…ƒ––”‡†Šƒ•„‡‡
the industry’s exploration beyond
traditional oak casks. The Irish whiskey
Technical File allows for maturation in
wood (not just oak as per the Scottish
standards), and this has given way to a
ton of experimentation and subsequent
releases lately. There were Teeling
expressions with chestnut wood, Irish
‘ƒƒ†…Š‹ƒ’‹‘ƒϐ‹‹•Š‡•ǡƒ†‹–•
Wonders of Wood series showcased
cherry wood, acacia and Brazilian
amburana hardwood.
Beyond Teeling, Irish Distillers’
Method & Madness range was extended
to include mulberry wood; Glendalough
and Writers’ Tears continued their
mizunara Japanese oak releases;
Bushmills, which has suddenly started
releasing a raft of new products, added
ƒƒ…ƒ…‹ƒǦϐ‹‹•Š‡†„‘––Ž‹‰Ǣƒ†ǡ–‹›
but exciting, Killowen released its
bonded series including acacia and
Hungarian oak.
Another trend that shows no sign of
slowing is the proliferation of whiskeys
released by companies without working
distilleries of their own, with spirit
sourced from Great Northern Distillery
(GND) beginning to take precedence
over the until-recently ubiquitous
this double-distilled single
malt became highly prized...
8 Irish Whiskey | 2021
Cooley stock. When John Teeling set up
Cooley Distillery in 1987, he cleverly
thought to make more than enough
spirit for his various products, and this
extra stock was available for bonders
to buy. There weren’t many at the time,
but over the years this double-distilled
single malt became highly prized
and has found its way into all sorts
of ‘own-label’ products, which were
easily distinguishable as no one else
was selling double-distilled single malt
whiskey in Ireland.
Then, with the purchase of Cooley
by Beam in 2011, the well began to dry
up. John Teeling was canny enough to
come back to distilling and, in 2015, he
created Great Northern Distillery
(GND) at the site of an old Diageo
brewery in Dundalk, which is ready
to supply the now-voracious, nascent
bonders – not to mention the new
distillers who need a product to sell
while their stock matures.
Not everyone is a fan of these own-
label products, though, and questions
of provenance versus marketing arise
often, with Waterford Distillery’s Mark
Newton a notable critic. “Now that the
old Cooley stock vanishes, we’re seeing
the rise of the GND spirit, which has
IRISH WHISKEY Annual Review
Ž‡†–‘ƒ…‘–‹—‡†ϐŽ‘‘†‘ˆ‹†‡’‡†‡–
offerings and the pervasion of
ϐ‹‹•Š‹‰•ǡdzŠ‡•ƒ‹†ǤDzŠ‹Ž‘•‘’Š‹…ƒŽŽ›ǡ
Irish Whiskey is having its ‘MGP
moment’ – this won’t become a cultural
problem if all brands are happy to tell
the truth about their products. But, as
it stands, the same anonymous spirit
walks out wearing a different disguise
each week, and your typical drinker
remains unaware of the fact.
“As such, brands are essentially using
the same spirit; it has led to the need
ˆ‘”—‡”‘—•ϐ‹‹•Š‡•„›–Š‡„‘––Ž‡”•‹
an effort to create some differentiation
between competing products from the
•ƒ‡•’‹”‹–•‘—”…‡Ȃ‡™‡”ǡ‘”‡ϐŽƒ•Š›
†‹•‰—‹•‡•Ǥdz
Premiumisation is an ugly industry
word that means ‘the process of
attempting to make a product appeal to
consumers by emphasising its superior
quality and exclusivity’, but it is another
clear trend in Irish whiskey – and why
not? Irish whiskey is some of the best in
the world, but it has long suffered from
a global reputation as merely whiskey
for mixing or drinking as a shot.
Stephen Teeling, co-founder of
Teeling Distillery, said that there
Šƒ•„‡‡ƒ•‹‰‹ϐ‹…ƒ–•ƒŽ‡•–”‡†
10 Irish Whiskey | 2021
toward premium products, which he
attributes to whiskey drinkers treating
themselves to more expensive bottles
more regularly during the pandemic
and picking up bottles with a higher
frequency in retail. Teeling had held
„ƒ…‘‡™”‡Ž‡ƒ•‡•†—”‹‰–Š‡ϐ‹”•–
part of the crisis, then realised that the
market was thirsty. “They were our life
„Ž‘‘†ǡdz•ƒ‹†–‡’Š‡ǡDz•‘™‡ƒ…–—ƒŽŽ›
ƒ……‡Ž‡”ƒ–‡†‘—”‡™’”‘†—…–”‡Ž‡ƒ•‡•Ǥdz
Conor McQuaid, CEO and chairman
at Irish Distillers, noted strong growth
in this area across all of the company’s
premium products, such as Redbreast,
with sales up 24 per cent, and Midleton
Very Rare, up 39 per cent: “The
movement towards premiumisation
and the key role of innovation can also
be seen in the strong growth of our
’”‡•–‹‰‡’‘”–ˆ‘Ž‹‘Ǥdz
Newton strikes a note of caution
though, feeling that premium Irish
whiskey as a category is very much an
inward-looking, industry-constructed
concept. “In the US there’s a sense that
most Irish whiskey is, of course, the
likes of Jameson’s – which is to say a
fun drink, rather than a serious one,
and therefore cheap, rather than an
‡š’‡•‹˜‡‘‡Ǥdz
As we’ve all been spending more time
at home and, sadly, few whisky shows
have been able to go ahead, it is perhaps
unsurprising that the last year also saw
a huge shift in how brands engage with
whiskey drinkers. Notably, the industry
had been a bit behind the curve when
it came to digital, but this is something
that was radically improved by most
brands in 2020.
Online discovery exploded and the
interest in virtual experiences has made
launching products during a pandemic
possible for many brands. Digital as a
platform has leapt forward during this
period when drinking at home has been
the only show in town. This also led to
a huge focus on direct online sales, not
just of brands’ core ranges but online-
exclusive releases too. Some of this
will inevitably roll back once we can all
meet in person again, but many brands
 IRISH WHISKEY Annual Review

have become comfortable with the tools

to engage a much wider audience, in a
more personal way, and that appears
likely to stay.
Other trends worthy of note
include whisky geek–led interest in
cask-strength releases, driven by the
#caskstrengthcrusade hashtag; a focus
on bottled cocktails for enjoyment at
home; and cute innovations, such as the
fab ‘Dram in a Can’ from Two Stacks.
It has been a tough year for some but,
especially for those brands that were
well established before the pandemic,
the news is generally positive. As for
what the next 12 months might have in
store, it’s hard to say. Jennifer Nickerson
sums up the current climate well: “Until
we come out the other side and see
what a post-Covid world looks like, I
think all any of us can do right now is
stick our heads down and keep going.
Dogged persistence, pig-headedness
and a dollop full of luck seems to be
™‘”‹‰ˆ‘”—•Ǥdz

Opening pages:
In the fields with
team Waterford.

Previous pages
from top:
Teeling Distillery in
Dublin; Alex Chasko,
Teeling’s master
distiller and blender;
Unloading casks at
Waterford Distillery.

These pages,
clockwise from
top left:
Lambay Whiskey’s
brand manager and
ambassador, Sabine
Sheehan; Analysing
spirit at Waterfod;
In the fields with
Waterford; Moving
casks at Dingle.

2021 | Irish Whiskey 11

IRISH WHISKEY Annual Review
SIGNIFICANT RELEASES
OF THE PAST YEAR
BOANN
Following the successful 2020 release of
–™‘’”‘‹‡–…ƒ•Ǧϐ‹‹•Š‡†™Š‹•‡›•
under its Whistler brand, the Imperial
Stout Cask Finish and Calvados Cask
Finish, Boann Distillery in County
Meath picked up the prestigious award
for World’s Best New Make at the World
Whiskies Awards in March 2021. The
CLONAKILTY
Last September, Clonakilty Distillery
teamed up with Pelican Brewing
Company, Oregon, USA, to create a
„ƒ”Ž‡›™‹‡…ƒ•Ȃϐ‹‹•Š‡†™Š‹•›
exclusively for the Oregon market. The
Mother of All Storms barleywine has
a cult following among fans of Pelican
Brewing, so Clonakilty Distillery
ϐ‹”•–”‹•Š†‹•–‹ŽŽ‡”›–‘™‹–Š‹•ƒ……‘Žƒ†‡ǡ
it indicates a promising future for the
distillery’s spirit and whiskies currently
maturing in the site’s warehouses.
Boann’s founder, Pat Cooney, said, “This
‹•˜‡”›‡š…‹–‹‰ǡƒϐ‹”•–ˆ‘”—•ƒ†ƒϐ‹”•–
for Ireland, no other distillery has won
best international new make in this
competition, which is the top award
when it comes to whiskey distillation.
We have achieved this by merging the
old ways of whiskey production in
decided to take things one step ex-Pedro Ximenez sherry casks (61 per These pages, left
further by imbuing its whiskey with …‡–Ȍƒ†ϐ‹”•–Ǧϐ‹ŽŽ‘—”„‘„ƒ””‡Ž•ȋ͵ͻ to right:
–Š‡ϐŽƒ˜‘—”•‘ˆ‡Ž‹…ƒǯ•—Ž–‹ƒ™ƒ”†Ǧ per cent), and is predominantly created Boann’s award-
winning new-
winning barrel-aged beer. A select with six- to seven-year-old spirit.
make spirit; The
number of these casks were handpicked Importantly, this core-range release has newly launched
to embark on a pilgrimage from the been bottled at 46.3% ABV without the Dingle single malt;
shores of Oregon to the rugged Atlantic —•‡‘ˆ…Š‹ŽŽϐ‹Ž–”ƒ–‹‘‘”…‘Ž‘—”‹‰Ǥ Glendalough’s
coastline of Clonakilty. 17-year-old,
Sean Scully, business development GLENDALOUGH mizunara-cask
whiskey; Lambay
manager at Clonakilty Distillery, said, Following the trend toward wood
Whiskey’s Alexander
“The meticulous attention to detail and innovation, Glendalough released a Baring and Cyril
care that Pelican put into crafting their pot still whiskey aged in Bourbon and Camus of Camus
copper pot stills, with cutting-edge,
21st-century nano-technology. It is an
incredible achievement for our team
that we have produced the best new-
ƒ’ƒ‡•‡
ƒ‡™Š‹•‡›‘–Š‡’Žƒ‡–Ǥdz
12 Irish Whiskey | 2021
unrivalled beer offerings is outstanding
to see. Building a partnership with a
brewery that possesses their integrity
and reputation is a privilege for us
at Clonakilty and we look forward to
ˆ—”–Š‡”‡š…‹–‹‰’”‘Œ‡…–•‹–Š‡ˆ—–—”‡Ǥdz
DINGLE
Dingle reached an impressive milestone
–Š‹•ƒ›™Š‡‹–”‡Ž‡ƒ•‡†‹–•ϐ‹”•–
core single malt expression produced
entirely using spirit distilled on its own
site. Some 50,000 bottles of the triple-
distilled Dingle Single Malt have been
produced and will be sold domestically
in Ireland, as well as exported to key
international markets including the UK,
Poland, Germany, France, China and,
later this year, the US. The distillery
expects to produce 100,000 bottles of
Dingle Single Malt, and half a million
bottles across the distillery’s portfolio,
by 2023.
Priced at €55.00 per 70cl bottle, the
Dingle Single Malt has been matured in
ϐ‹‹•Š‡†‹˜‹”‰‹”‹•Š‘ƒƒ†ƒ‡™ Cognac, the source
‡†‹–‹‘‘ˆ‹–••‹‰Ž‡ƒŽ–ϐ‹‹•Š‡†‹ of Lambay’s French
Japanese oak. The Glendalough 17 oak finishing casks.
‡ƒ”•Ž†™ƒ•ϐ‹‹•Š‡†‹ƒ
mizunara oak cask for twice as long as
the last edition, a 13-year-old. Having
•’‡–ͳͷ›‡ƒ”•‹ƒϐ‹”•–Ǧϐ‹ŽŽ‘—”„‘
cask, the whiskey was transferred to the
mizunara casks, which the Glendalough
team say are notoriously leaky and
expensive, but worth using for the
—‹“—‡ϐŽƒ˜‘—”•–Š‡›…ƒ„‡•–‘™Ǥ
Meanwhile, the Glendalough Pot Still
‹•–Š‡ϐ‹”•–‹–Š‹••–›Ž‡–‘„‡”‡Ž‡ƒ•‡†„›
the company. After spending three years
in ex-Bourbon casks it was transferred
into virgin Irish oak casks for a further
year of maturation. According to the
team at Glendalough, these casks
were made from trees that were
sustainably harvested in the mountains
surrounding the County Wicklow-based
distillery. Keeping sustainability in
mind, the company has committed to
planting seven oak saplings for every

tree that falls in Wicklow’s native
oak forests.
HINCH
This County Down whiskey maker has
moved from strength to strength in
the past year. A slew of new releases
were met with a generally positive
reception, especially those under its
Craft & Casks label: Imperial Stout
Finish, Irish Red Rye Finish and Rye
Export Stout Finish. Most recently, this
positive trend culminated with the
opening of its new distillery and visitor
centre in March 2021, which led to the
creation of 42 new jobs. Speaking about
the completion of the project, owner
Dr Terry Cross OBE said, “[This] marks
a very proud moment for myself and
–Š‡–‡ƒ™Š‘Šƒ˜‡ϐ‹ƒŽŽ›”‡ƒŽ‹•‡†ƒ
blueprint that is set to make its mark on
the Northern Ireland tourism map and
–Š‡‰Ž‘„ƒŽ†”‹•‹†—•–”›Ǥdz
IRISH DISTILLERS
The folks at Midleton had a bumper
year, releasing some real crowd pleasers
alongside the usual hero products of
Midleton Very Rare, Redbreast and
Jameson. Blue Spot single pot still, a
reimagining of a long-lost member of
the Spot family, which also includes
Red, Yellow and Green Spot, delighted
many whisky fans – especially the
IRISH WHISKEY Annual Review
#caskstrengthcrusade crowd. Then
there was Redbreast 10 Years Old,
another rerelease of a long-vanished
product that was also considered to be
a solid effort – the only issue was its
rarity, with many fans of the marque
failing to get a hold of it.
LAMBAY
Lambay released its Lambay Malt Irish
Whiskey, a blend of both double- and
triple-distilled malt spirit which has
„‡‡ϐ‹‹•Š‡†‹ ”‡…Š‘ƒ‘‰ƒ…
casks that had been exposed to the sea
air and winds on Lambay Island. The
company also released another single-
…ƒ•‡š’”‡••‹‘ϐ‹‹•Š‡†‹ ”‡…Š
oak, showing its connection to Cognac
house, Camus.
“Like everyone else in the industry,
the Covid crisis has forced us to pivot
and rethink what we do, and thankfully
™‡ǯ”‡•–‹ŽŽŠ‡”‡dzǡ•ƒ‹†ƒ„‹‡Š‡‡Šƒǡ
global brand ambassador. “I really feel the last year it has released a slew of
for those in the drinks and hospitality products, notably the Fercullen Five
industry whose businesses and careers Elements 18 Years Old expression.
have been shattered, and I hope that According to Powerscourt, the ‘Five
they soon get back to doing what they Elements’ referred to in the name are: a
†‘„‡•–Ǥdz single malt, single distillery and single
distiller; two types of oak maturation,
LOUGH REE American white oak and European oak;
A distillery in the making that is –Š”‡‡†‹ˆˆ‡”‡–ϐ‹‹•Š‹‰…ƒ••ǡ™Š‹…Š
worth keeping an eye on, Lough Ree are red wine, ruby port and rum; four
released three interesting bottlings in styles, which are Bourbon, red wine,
its limited-edition, single-cask series ”—„›’‘”–ƒ†”—Ǣƒ†ǡϐ‹ƒŽŽ›ǡ–Š‡
called The Bridge: Mountdillon, a touch of master distiller Noel Sweeney.
peated single malt matured for four
›‡ƒ”•‹ϐ‹”•–Ǧϐ‹ŽŽ‘—”„‘…ƒ•ǢŠ‡ ROE & CO
Station, a peated single malt matured After closing the doors to the Roe & Co
for three years in Bourbon and one distillery and visitor centre in March
year in an oloroso sherry cask; and 2020, the team were no slouches and
St Mel’s No 1, a triple-distilled single they set about welcoming thousands
malt, which has been matured for 15 of people to their interactive cocktail
weeks in a Spanish red wine cask that masterclasses – an activity that also
had previously aged St Mel’s Brown kept the spirits of the team up. The
Ale for 10 months. brand also released its Cask Strength
2020 Edition, a 13-year-old single
malt that spent the entirety of its life
POWERSCOURT in port casks, and teamed up with the
The Powerscourt Distillery in the neighbouring Guinness Brewery, a
Wicklow mountains opened in 2019 sister company under Diageo, to release
and the team there is producing spirit a new whiskey exclusively available at
on their three Forsyths pot stills. In the distillery when it reopens.
2021 | Irish Whiskey 13
IRISH WHISKEY Annual Review
ROYAL OAK
The last 12 months have been busy and
award-winning times for Royal Oak
Distillery and its whiskey, The Busker.
The distillery released single grain,
malt and pot still bottlings (all of
which won silver medals at the World
Whiskies Awards 2021), as well as a
triple-cask blend. The team were also
on top form, with Icons of Whiskey
Ireland awards for Lisa Ryan, who was
named distillery manager of the year,
and Woody Kane, who picked up the
title of visitor attraction manager of
the year.
TEELING
They have been busy boys and girls
at Teeling and, though it is one of
the few new Irish distilleries with
still releasing aged products from its
archive of bought-in casks. Teeling
did a whopping 15 new releases in
the last 12 months, including 28 and
37 Years Old vintage single malts; the
Wonders of Wood series; a Front Line
Heroes bottling; and collaborations
with Plantation rum, Umbrella
Brewing Ginger Beer, and Dot Brew
Amber Ale. Teeling also released its
Blackpitts peated single malt and
Sommelier Selection Sauternes Cask
and Margaux Wine Cask expressions.
Stephen said, “We have seen a huge
amount of resilience in Irish whiskey
over the past 12 months. Even with all
the uncertainty of the pandemic, the
premium and super-premium segments
of the market have exploded – showing
that the segmentation trend within
This page: TIPPERARY
The Tipperary Eagerly anticipated releases from
Distillery team. Jennifer Nickerson’s Tipperary
Left to right:
Distillery included the company’s
Stuart Nickerson,
whiskey consultant; ϐ‹”•–„ƒ–…Š‘ˆ•’‹”‹–ƒ†‡ˆ”‘‹–•
Jennifer Nickerson, homegrown barley. Produced at
managing director; another distillery while Tipperary was
and Liam Ahearn, being built, it was distilled from a mash
chief agricultural ‘ˆ„ƒ”Ž‡›ˆ”‘–Š‡ˆƒ‹Ž›ϐ‹‡Ž†•—†‡”
consultant.
the watchful eye of Scotch whisky
legend Stuart Nickerson.
Jennifer does not sugar-coat this past
year, though, as she has worked hard
to get the distillery up and running. “I
wanted to write something about hope
in the darkness, or opportunities arising
from challenges, but really I think we
Œ—•–•Ž‘‰‰‡†‘ˆ‘”–Š‡’ƒ•–ͳʹ‘–Š•ǡdz
she said. “This time last year we had an
empty shed and some stills. We now
its own whiskey distilled on site, it is ”‹•Š™Š‹•‡›‹•Š‡”‡–‘•–ƒ›Ǥdz have a working distillery, two new staff,
ƒ†™‡ǯ˜‡”‡Ž‡ƒ•‡†–Š‡ϐ‹”•–™Š‹•‡›
ˆ”‘‘—”Š‘‡‰”‘™„ƒ”Ž‡›Ǥdz

WATERFORD
One of the most anticipated whisky
releases in the world in the last 12
months was from Waterford Distillery.
With its team’s zealous focus on
single-farm, terroir-driven whisky,
the company has its share of fanatics
and naysayers but caught a wind of
positivity with its numerous releases.
Though all very young, the common
review was that the whiskies showed
great promise and were worthy of
the bold statements on provenance.
Its releases so far come under three
‘families’ of whiskies:

• Single Farm Origin: distilled from

one type of barley grown on a single
farm
• Arcadian Series: an extra-geeky
range with organic, biodynamic and
heritage grains
• Cuvées: its single malts, created as an
assemblage of different cask types

Waterford is staunchly single malt,

not pot still, and, unusually for Ireland,
always describes its product as whisky,
not whiskey.

14 Irish Whiskey | 2021

Whisky People Ger Buckley

T
Š‡Ž‹ˆ‡‘ˆϐ‹ˆ–ŠǦ‰‡‡”ƒ–‹‘ Š‡Œ‘„‘ˆƒƒ•–‡”…‘‘’‡”ǡŠ‡•ƒ›•ǡ ‡–‹”‡’ƒ•–›‡ƒ”‡–‘”‹‰”‘‹ǤDz–ǯ•
ƒ•–‡”…‘‘’‡”
‡”—…Ž‡› Šƒ•ǯ–…Šƒ‰‡†—…Š•‹…‡–Š‘•‡–‘‘Ž• ˆƒ–ƒ•–‹…–Šƒ–ǯ˜‡„‡‡ƒ„Ž‡–‘•’‡†
Šƒ•„‡‡…ƒ”˜‡†„›–Š‡ ™‡”‡ƒ†‡Ǥˆƒ…–ǡ—…Ž‡›„‡Ž‹‡˜‡• •‘—…Š–‹‡™‹–Š‡”‡Ǥ‡ǯ˜‡ƒ†‡
ˆ”ƒ‰”ƒ–•…‡–‘ˆ™‘‘† –Šƒ–Š‡ǯ•Dz†‘‹‰•‘‡–Š‹‰ƒ…‘‘’‡” ƒ…‘—’Ž‡‘ˆ•ƒŽŽ„ƒ””‡Ž•ǡŽƒ•–™‡‡Š‡
ƒ†–Š‡…Žƒ‹‰•‘—†‘ˆ ™‘—Ž†Šƒ˜‡†‘‡ʹǡͲͲͲ›‡ƒ”•ƒ‰‘dzǡ †‹•ƒ–Ž‡†ƒ…ƒ•ƒ†”‡„—‹Ž–‹–ǡƒ†ǯ
ƒƒŽŽ‡–ǤDz•ƒ„‘›—•‡†–‘‰‘˜‹•‹–› ƒ†‹•‰”ƒ–‡ˆ—ŽŠ‡‹•„‡‹‰‰‹˜‡–Š‡ ‘™–‡ƒ…Š‹‰Š‹Š‘™–‘—•‡ƒƒš‡ǡdz
†ƒ†‹–Š‡…‘‘’‡”ƒ‰‡™Š‡”‡Š‡™‘”‡†Ǥ ‘’’‘”–—‹–›–‘‡‡’–Š‡–”ƒ†‹–‹‘ƒŽ‹˜‡ Š‡•ƒ›•’”‹†‡ˆ—ŽŽ›ǤDz–ǯ•…‘’Ž‹…ƒ–‡†–‘
˜‡„ƒ…–Š‡ǡ™Š‡™ƒ•Œ—•–•‡˜‡ „›’ƒ••‹‰Š‹•‘™Ž‡†‰‡‘–‘ƒ‡™ –‡ƒ…ŠŠ‘™–‘Œ—†‰‡–Š‡ƒ‰Ž‡‘ˆƒ•–ƒ˜‡
‘”‡‹‰Š–ǡ™ƒ•—•‡†–‘–Š‡ƒƒœ‹‰ ‰‡‡”ƒ–‹‘‘ˆ„ƒ””‡Žƒ‡”•Ǥ‹•†ƒ‹Ž› „›‡›‡Ȃ‹––ƒ‡•ƒŽ‘–‘ˆ’”ƒ…–‹…‡Ǥ‡”‡
ƒ”‘ƒ•‘ˆ‘ƒƒ†™Š‹•‡›ǡdzŠ‡•ƒ›•Ǥ ”‘—–‹‡ǡ‘…‡…Šƒ”ƒ…–‡”‹•‡†„›Š‘—”• ‹•—†‡”‘’”‡••—”‡‹–‡”•‘ˆ
‘™Š‡ƒ†…‘‘’‡”ƒ– ƒ‡•‘ǡ •’‡–”‡’ƒ‹”‹‰…ƒ••ǡ–‘†ƒ›‹˜‘Ž˜‡• ‰‘ƒŽ•‘ˆ’”‘†—…–‹‘ǡŠ‡Œ—•–
—…Ž‡›Ž‡ƒ”‡†Š‹•…”ƒˆ–ˆ”‘Š‹• „”‹‰‹‰Š‹•Žƒ–‡•–ƒ’’”‡–‹…‡—’–‘ ‡‡†•–‘Ž‡ƒ”Ǥǯ˜‡”›
ˆƒ–Š‡”Ͷͷ›‡ƒ”•ƒ‰‘ǤDz–…‘—Ž†„‡‰‘‘† •’‡‡†ǤDz‡ǯ•ƒ›‡ƒ”‹‘™ƒ†Š‡ǯ• Šƒ’’›™‹–ŠŠ‹Ǥdz
‘”„ƒ†ǡdzŠ‡”‡…ƒŽŽ•ǤDz…‘—Ž†ϐ‹‰Š–™‹–Š ˜‡”›…‘’‡–‡–ǡ‡˜‡ƒ––Š‹•˜‡”›‡ƒ”Ž›
Š‹ƒ–Š‘‡ǡ„—–ƒ–™‘”™‘—Ž†Šƒ˜‡ •–ƒ‰‡ǡdzŠ‡•ƒ›•‘ˆ‡”‡”‘‹Ǥ
–‘†‘‡˜‡”›–Š‹‰Š‡–‘Ž†‡Ǥ—–‹–™ƒ• ˆ‹–™ƒ•ǯ–ˆ‘”–Š‡’ƒ†‡‹…ǡ—…Ž‡›
ˆƒ–ƒ•–‹…ǤŽ‘–‘ˆ–Š‡–‘‘Ž•–Šƒ–•–‹ŽŽ ™‘—Ž†„‡ƒŽŽ‘…ƒ–‹‰ƒ•‹‰‹ϐ‹…ƒ–•Šƒ”‡
—•‡–‘†ƒ›™‘—Ž†Šƒ˜‡„‡‡Š‹•‘”› ‘ˆŠ‹•™‘”‹‰Š‘—”•–‘–”ƒ˜‡ŽŽ‹‰
‰”ƒ†ˆƒ–Š‡”ǯ•Ǥ…ƒ†ƒ–‡•‘‡‘ˆ–Š‡ ƒ†ƒ”‡–‹‰ǡ„—–‘˜‹†Ǧ‹’‘•‡†
–‘–Š‡‡ƒ”Ž›ͳͻͲͲ•Ǥdz ”‡•–”‹…–‹‘•‡ƒ––Šƒ–Š‡Šƒ••’‡––Š‡

WORDS JACOPO MAZZEO

The
Master
Cooper
Ger Buckley is one of Ireland’s only master coopers and
has seen the whiskey industry go from zero to hero

16 Irish Whiskey | 2021

 Whisky People Ger Buckley

‹…‡Š‡™ƒ•ƒƒ’’”‡–‹…‡Š‹•‡Žˆǡ ˆƒ‹Ž›–‘™‘”ƒ•ƒ…‘‘’‡”ǡdzŠ‡ƒ†‹–•Ǥ
—…Ž‡›‡™–Šƒ–™‘‘†™ƒ•‰‘‹‰–‘ DzŠƒ–™ƒ•ƒ˜‡”›…ŠƒŽŽ‡‰‹‰–‹‡dzǤ
’Žƒ›ƒ‡›”‘Ž‡‹Š‹•Ž‹ˆ‡ǡ‡˜‡™Š‡ǡ‹ —…Ž‡›ǯ•”‡Žƒ–‹‘•Š‹’™‹–Š™‘‘†
–Š‡‡ƒ”Ž›ͺͲ•ǡŠ‡Ž‹˜‡†‹…‘•–ƒ–ˆ‡ƒ” ƒ†Š‹•…”ƒˆ–‹•‹†‡‡†˜‹•…‡”ƒŽƒ†
‘ˆŽ‘•‹‰Š‹•Œ‘„ǤŠ‡”‹•Š†‹•–‹ŽŽ‹‰
‹†—•–”›™ƒ•‹…”‹•‹•ƒ†ƒŽ‘–‘ˆ
’‡‘’Ž‡™‡”‡Ž‡–‰‘Ǥ‡”‡…‘•
Š‡™‘—Ž†Šƒ˜‡‡†‡†—’
™‘”‹‰ƒ•ƒ…ƒ”’‡–‡”‘”
•‘‡–Š‹‰‡Ž•‡–Šƒ–Šƒ†
†‡‡’Ž›‹–‹ƒ–‡ǣDz–ǯ••‘‡–Š‹‰ƒŽ‘•–
›•–‡”‹‘—•ǡdzŠ‡‡š’Žƒ‹•ǡDz›‘—ǯ”‡
ƒ‹‰ƒ…‘–ƒ‹‡”„›Šƒ†ǡ„›‡›‡Ǥ
‘—•ƒ›‹–‹•‘–‰‘‹‰–‘Ž‡ƒˆ‘”ƒ
Ž‹ˆ‡–‹‡Ǥdz‡Š‡ƒ”•Š‹•–‘‘Ž•™Š‹•’‡”‹‰
ƒ†‡’ƒ–Š‹•‡•™‹–ŠŠ‹•„ƒ””‡Ž•ǤDzƒ••
–‘†‘™‹–Š™‘‘†‹ˆŠ‡ Šƒ˜‡’‡”•‘ƒŽ‹–›Ǥ’ƒ”–‹…—Žƒ”•Š‡””›
Šƒ†ˆ‘—†Š‹•‡Žˆ …ƒ••ǤǤǤ›‘—…ƒ”‡’ƒ‹”‘‡ƒ†‘–ƒ
™‹–Š‘—–ƒŒ‘„ǤDz—– ’”‘„Ž‡ˆ‘”–™‘‘”–Š”‡‡†ƒ›•ǡ–Š‡‹–
™‘—Ž†Šƒ˜‡„‡‡ ‰‘‡•ƒ‰ƒ‹•–›‘—ǣ–Š‡•–ƒ˜‡†‘‡•ǯ–“—‹–‡
†‹•ƒ’’‘‹–‡† ϐ‹–ǡ–Š‡Š‡ƒ††‘‡•ǯ–‰‘‹’”‘’‡”Ž›Ǥ†
–‘„‡–Š‡Žƒ•– –Š‡–‘‘Ž•™‹ŽŽ…‘—‹…ƒ–‡™‹–Š›‘—Ǥˆ
‘‡‹› ›‘—†‘ǯ–’ƒ›ƒ––‡–‹‘–Š‡›‰‹˜‡›‘—ƒ
„‹–‘ˆƒ‹…ǡ–‘‡–Šƒ–ǯ•–Š‡–‘‘Ž•ƒ›‹‰
›‘—Šƒ˜‡–‘™ƒ–…Š™Šƒ–›‘—ǯ”‡†‘‹‰Ǥdz
—…Ž‡›™‘”•™‹–Š™‘‘†ƒ–Š‘‡
–‘‘ǡ…ƒ”˜‹‰•’‘‘•ǡ„‹”†–ƒ„Ž‡•ǡ
ˆ—”‹–—”‡ǤǤǤƒ•™‡ŽŽƒ•„ƒ””‡Ž•Ȃ‘ˆ
…‘—”•‡ǤDz”‡…‡–Ž›ƒ†‡ƒŽ‹––Ž‡„‹‡
ˆ‘”›†ƒ—‰Š–‡”ǡ™Š‘‹•†—‡‹
—‡ǡ
‡–‹”‡Ž›ˆ”‘‘ƒǤdz‡Šƒ•ƒŽ•‘‹˜‡•–‡†
•‘‡‘ˆŠ‹•–‹‡–‘”‡˜‹˜‡–Š‡ƒ”–‘ˆ
ƒ‹‰‘‰‰‹•ȋ•ƒŽŽǡ–”ƒ†‹–‹‘ƒŽ
”‹•Š˜‡••‡Ž•ˆ‘”ˆ‘‘†ƒ††”‹•Ȍƒ†‹•
’Žƒ‹‰–‘‡„ƒ”‘ƒ’”‘Œ‡…––Šƒ–
‹˜‘Ž˜‡•›‡™™‘‘†ƒ†ͳͲ–ŠǦ…‡–—”›
‹‹‰…‘‘’‡”‹‰Ǥ
‘‘†‹•Œ—•–ƒ’ƒ”–‘ˆ™Š‘Š‡
‹•ǢŠ‡ǯ••‘—•‡†–‘–Š‡•‡ŽŽ
‘ˆ‘ƒ–Šƒ–Š‡ƒ†‹–•Š‹•
‘•–”‹Ž•…ƒǯ–’‹…—’ƒ›
‘ˆ–Š‡ƒ”‘ƒ–‹…—ƒ…‡•
‘ˆ™Š‹•‡›ǣDzŠ‡†”‹
‹–ǡ‹–ǯ•ƒŽ‘•–ƒ•‹ˆ™ƒ•
†”‹‹‰‘ƒǤdz

2021 | Irish Whiskey 17

Whisky People Ger Buckley

‡•’‹–‡‘ƒ„‡‹‰ƒ”‡‰—Žƒ”’”‡•‡…‡ Opening pages: …‘–ƒ‹ƒ–‹‘ǡ„—–ƒ”‡‘™•–‘”‡† ‹•–Š‡‹†‡ƒŽƒš‹—ˆ‘”‡”‹…ƒ

‹—…Ž‡›ǯ•Ž‹ˆ‡ǡ–Š‡™Š‹•‡›ƒ”‡–ǯ• Master cooper Ger ‹†‘‘”•ƒ†”‘–ƒ–‡†”‡‰—Žƒ”Ž›ǣDz‡ „ƒ””‡Ž•ƒ†•Š‡””›…ƒ••Ǥdz
–Š‹”•–ˆ‘”‹‘˜ƒ–‹˜‡’”‘†—…–•ƒŽŽ‘™‡†
ƒ‡•‘ǯ•†”‹˜‡ˆ‘”
Š‹–‘…‘ˆ”‘–Š‹•‡Žˆ™‹–Šƒ™‹†‡
”ƒ‰‡‘ˆ——•—ƒŽ™‘‘†–›’‡•ǡˆ”‘
…Š‡””›–‘…Š‡•–—–ƒ†ˆ”‘—Ž„‡””›
–‘ƒ…ƒ…‹ƒǤDzŠ‡•‡‡š’‡”‹‡–•Šƒ˜‡
„‡‡“—‹–‡•—……‡••ˆ—ŽǤ‡–Š‘†Ƭ
ƒ†‡••ƒŽŽ‘™•—•–‘‰‘ƒŽ‹––Ž‡„‹–
Buckley †‘ǯ–‰‡–”—•–›Š‘‘’•‘”•–ƒ‰ƒ– ʹͲͳͳǡ
These pages,
™ƒ–‡”ǡdzŠ‡‡š’Žƒ‹•ǡ•ƒ›‹‰–Šƒ–ƒˆ–‡” ‹‘˜ƒ–‹‘ƒ”‡†ƒ•‹‰‹ϐ‹…ƒ––—”‹‰
clockwise from
right: The old and ʹͷǦ͵Ͳ›‡ƒ”•‘ˆ—•‡–Š‡›Ž‘‘ƒŽ‘•–ƒ• ’‘‹–‹—…Ž‡›ǯ•…ƒ”‡‡”Ǥ ‘ŽŽ‘™‹‰
new Midleton ‰‘‘†ƒ•–Š‡†ƒ›–Š‡›…ƒ‡‹Ǥ –Š‡Žƒ—…Š‘ˆ–Š‡†‹•–‹ŽŽ‡”›ǯ•†‘—„Ž‡
Distillery; Midleton’s Šƒ…‡†“—ƒŽ‹–›…‘–”‘Ž‰ƒ‡ƒŽ•‘ …Šƒ”‡š’”‡••‹‘ǡŽƒ…ƒ””‡ŽǡŠ‡™ƒ•
converted Garden ‡ƒ•–Šƒ––Š‡—„‡”‘ˆ–‹‡•Š‹• ˆ‘”–Š‡ϐ‹”•––‹‡ƒ•‡†–‘‰‡–‹˜‘Ž˜‡†
Stillhouse; Ger „ƒ””‡Ž•‰‡–”‡ϐ‹ŽŽ‡†‹•‘”‡…ƒ”‡ˆ—ŽŽ› ‹–Š‡„”ƒ†ǯ•ƒ”‡–‹‰‡ˆˆ‘”–•ǤDzŠ‡
Buckley at work
ƒ†™Š‹Ž‡‘–Š‡”„”ƒ†•Šƒ˜‡ƒ…‡”–ƒ‹ ‘‹–‘”‡†–Šƒ‹–Š‡’ƒ•–ǣDzŠ‡ ϐ‹”•–„ƒ””‡Ž…Šƒ””‡†ȏˆ‘”–Š‹•’”‘Œ‡…–Ȑ
–Šƒ––Š‡›†‘ǯ–™ƒ––‘†‹•–—”„ǤǤǤ ϐ‹”•–•–ƒ”–‡†ǡ‘…‡™‡™‡”‡•—”‡–Šƒ– ™ƒ•‹”‘‘Ž›ǡˆ‘”–Š‡Žƒ—…Š‘ˆ
ˆ›†ƒ†™ƒ••–‹ŽŽƒŽ‹˜‡Š‡™‘—Ž†Šƒ˜‡ –Š‡…ƒ•…‘—Ž†Š‘Ž†•’‹”‹–ǡ–Šƒ–ǯ•ƒŽŽ™‡ Žƒ…ƒ””‡Ž‹–Š‡–ƒ–‡•Ǥdz–™ƒ•ƒ
„‡‡ƒƒœ‡†ǤŠ‡‹‘˜ƒ–‹‘•ǯ˜‡ ‡‡†‡†–‘‘™ǤŠ‡”‡ƒ•‘™™‡ǯ”‡ ’”‘ˆ‡••‹‘ƒŽƒ†’‡”•‘ƒŽƒ…Š‹‡˜‡‡–ǡ
•‡‡‘˜‡”–Š‡’ƒ•–ͳͷ›‡ƒ”•Šƒ˜‡„‡‡ ˜‡”›’ƒ”–‹…—Žƒ”ƒ„‘—––Š‡„ƒ””‡Žǯ• „—–ƒŽ•‘ƒ‘’’‘”–—‹–›–‘‡–™‘”
ƒ‡š–”ƒ‘”†‹ƒ”›–Š‹‰Ǥ–ǯ•ˆƒ–ƒ•–‹…Ǥdz ƒ‰‡Ǥ‡™‘—Ž†ƒ”‡ƒ…Š„ƒ””‡Žƒ† ™‹–Š–Š‡‰Ž‘„ƒŽ™Š‹•‡›…‘—‹–›ƒ†
‡…Žƒ‹•Š‡ǯ•ƒŽ™ƒ›•Ž‘‘‹‰ˆ‘” ‹†‹…ƒ–‡Š‘™ƒ›–‹‡•‹–ǯ•„‡‡—•‡†ǡ …‘‡…–™‹–Š›‘—‰‡”™Š‹•‡›†”‹‡”•Ǥ
•‘‡–Š‹‰‡™‘”——•—ƒŽ–Šƒ–…‘—Ž† „‡…ƒ—•‡™‡ˆ‘—†–Šƒ––Š”‡‡–‹‡• Dz‡‘’Ž‡™‘—Ž†…‘‡–‘‡ƒ†•ƒ›ǣ
™‘”ˆ‘”…‘‘’‡”‹‰ǤDzŠƒ–ǯ•™Šƒ–
‹‘˜ƒ–‹‘‹•ƒ„‘—–ǡdzŠ‡•ƒ›•ǡ›‡–
’‘‹–•‘—––Šƒ–Š‡™ƒ”Ž›™‡Ž…‘‡†ƒ
—„‡”‘ˆ“—ƒŽ‹–›…‘–”‘Ž‹‘˜ƒ–‹‘•
Method & Madness allows us to go a bit
–‘‘ǡ™Š‹…Š–Š‡†‹•–‹ŽŽ‡”›„‡‰ƒ
‹’Ž‡‡–‹‰‹–Š‡Žƒ–‡ͺͲ•Ǥ
mad while other brands have a certain DNA
’–›„ƒ””‡Ž•™‡”‡‘…‡•–‘”‡† that they don’t want to disturb...
‘—–†‘‘”•ǡ”‡•—Ž–‹‰‹ƒŠ‹‰Š”‹•‘ˆ

18 Irish Whiskey | 2021

Whisky People Ger Buckley

Ǯ›‘—”Œ‘„—•–„‡ƒƒœ‹‰ǨǯǤŠ‡›ƒ”‡
•‘‹–‡”‡•–‡†‹™Šƒ–†‘ƒ†ƒŽ™ƒ›•
ƒ•˜‡”›’‘‹‰ƒ–“—‡•–‹‘•Ǥǯ˜‡„‡‡
–”‡ƒ–‡†‹…”‡†‹„Ž›‡˜‡”›™Š‡”‡™‡–Ǣ
‹–†‘‡•ǯ–ƒ––‡”™Š‡”‡ǡˆ”‹…ƒǡǡ
—”‘’‡ǡ’‡‘’Ž‡Ž‘˜‡”‹•Š™Š‹•‡›Ǥdz
‡ƒ”‰—‡•–Šƒ––Š‡˜‹„”ƒ–ƒ–—”‡
‘ˆ–‘†ƒ›ǯ•‰Ž‘„ƒŽ™Š‹•‡›…‘—‹–›
‹•Žƒ”‰‡Ž›†‘™–‘–Š‡…‘•‹†‡”ƒ„Ž‡
ƒ‘—–•‘ˆ‹ˆ‘”ƒ–‹‘ƒ˜ƒ‹Žƒ„Ž‡
‘Ž‹‡ǤDz‡‘’Ž‡ƒ•‘”‡“—‡•–‹‘•ǡ‰‘
†‡‡’‡”ǡƒ†™Š‡–Š‡›‡‡–•‘‡‘‡
Ž‹‡‡™Š‘‹‰Š–Šƒ˜‡’ƒ”–‘ˆ–Š‡
ƒ•™‡”•ǡ–Š‡“—‡•–‹‘•…‘‡ƒ–—”ƒŽŽ›Ǥdz
‘”—…Ž‡›ǡ•—…Šƒ‡–Š—•‹ƒ•
–‘™ƒ”†•™Š‹•‡›ƒ†–Š‡’‡‘’Ž‡™Š‘
…‘–”‹„—–‡–‘ƒ‹‰‹–‹•–Š‡…Ž‹ƒš‘ˆ
ƒ—’™ƒ”†…—”˜‡–Šƒ–Žƒ•–‡†ƒ‡–‹”‡
…ƒ”‡‡”ǣDzǯ˜‡•‡‡‹–‰‘ˆ”‘–Š‡„‘––‘
–‘–Š‡–‘’Ǥ‘…‘‡ˆ”‘–Šƒ–‡”ƒȂ–Š‡
ͺͲ•Ȃ™Š‡™‡™‡”‡‡ƒ”Ž›…Ž‘•‹‰ǡ
–‘–‘†ƒ›ǯ•ƒ••‹˜‡•—……‡••ǡ–‘Š‹”‹‰
‡™ƒ’’”‡–‹…‡•‘™‹‰–Šƒ––Š‡
…”ƒˆ–‹•‰‘ƒ‰‘‘ǡƒ†–‘–Š‡‡š…‹–‹‰
‹‘˜ƒ–‹‘–Šƒ–ǯ˜‡‡š’‡”‹‡…‡†‘˜‡”
–Š‡’ƒ•–ͳͷ›‡ƒ”•ǤǤǤ‹–Šƒ•„‡‡ƒ
ƒƒœ‹‰Œ‘—”‡›Ǥdz

2021 | Irish Whiskey 19

Whisky People Sarah Dowling

WORDS
MILLIE MILLIKEN

)URPKHU¿UVWWDVWHRI6FRWFKWRMRLQLQJRQHRI
,UHODQG¶VPRVWLQQRYDWLYHGLVWOOHUV6DUDK'RZOLQJ¶V
MRXUQH\LQWRZKLVNH\ZDVDQXQH[SHFWHGRQH

S
ƒ”ƒŠ‘™Ž‹‰ǯ•ϐ‹”•––ƒ•–‡
‘ˆ™Š‹•›™ƒ•ƒ–ƒ‹š
ƒ–‹‘•ƒ–…Š™‹–Šƒ
ˆ”‹‡†ƒ–†‹„—”‰Šǯ•
‘’‡”ƒ–‹‘•‡‡‹‰Ž›ˆ‘”‰‘‘†‹ͳͻͷ͵Ȃ Š‡”Œ‘—”‡›‹–‘–Š‡‹†—•–”›Ǥ”ƒ™
‹––‘‘—–‹ŽʹͲͲ͹ˆ‘”–Š‡–‘™–‘•‡‡‹–• –‘•…‹‡…‡ǡ•Š‡—†‡”–‘‘ƒ‰‡‡–‹…•
•–‹ŽŽ•”‡ϐ‹”‡†Ǥ‘™ǡ‹ʹͲʹͳǡ–Š‡†‹•–‹ŽŽ‡”› †‡‰”‡‡ƒ––Š‡‹˜‡”•‹–›‘ˆ†‹„—”‰ŠǤ
Žƒ›•…Žƒ‹–‘ˆ‘—”…‘”‡‡š’”‡••‹‘•ǣ •—…Šƒ••Š‡‡Œ‘›‡†–Š‡Žƒ„™‘”ǡ
—””ƒ›ϐ‹‡Ž†–ƒ†‹—‹ ‹Ž„‡‰‰ƒ”ƒ†‹–‹‘ƒŽ”‹•ŠŠ‹•‡›ǡ •Š‡‡™ƒŽ‹ˆ‡‹ƒ…ƒ†‡‹ƒ™‘—Ž†ǯ–
Š‡”‡ƒ”Ž›ʹͲ•ǣDz‹•†ƒ†’”‘†—…‡†ƒ ƒŽŽƒ–…Š›‡ǡ‹‰Ž‡‘––‹ŽŽƒ† •—‹–Š‡”’‡”•‘ƒŽ‹–›Ǥ•–‡ƒ†ǡ‹–™ƒ•ƒ
Š‹’ϐŽƒ••‘ǡ‘„˜‹‘—•Ž›ǡ–‘‘ƒ•™‹‰ǡdz ‹‰Ž‡
”ƒ‹Ǥ‡–—”›Ǧ‘Ž†’‘–•–‹ŽŽ••–‹ŽŽ Ž‘˜‡‘ˆ‡˜‹”‘‡–ƒŽ‹•–Šƒ–ǡƒˆ–‡”ƒ
•Š‡”‡‡„‡”•ǤDz™ƒ•…‘ˆ”‘–‡†™‹–Š •–ƒ†‹–Š‡†‹•–‹ŽŽ‡”›ƒ†–Š‡„—‹Ž†‹‰ •–‹–‘ˆƒ–”ƒ˜‡ŽŽ‹‰ǡ–‘‘Š‡”„ƒ…–‘
™Šƒ–‘™‘™™ƒ•“—‹–‡ƒŠ‡ƒ˜‹Ž› –Š‡•‡™Š‹•‹‡•”—–Š”‘—‰Š™ƒ•„—‹Ž– ”‡Žƒ†ǡ–‘—„Ž‹ǡ–‘•–—†›ƒƒ•–‡”•
’‡ƒ–‡†•‹‰Ž‡ƒŽ–…‘–…ŠȂ‹–™ƒ•ƒ”‡ƒŽ Ž‘‰„‡ˆ‘”‡–Š‡‹˜‡–‹‘‘ˆ‡Ž‡…–”‹…‹–›Ǥ ‹‡˜‹”‘‡–ƒŽƒƒ‰‡‡–ǤŠ‡
•Š‘…–‘–Š‡•‡•‡•Ǥdz ‘™Ž‹‰ǯ•…‘—”•‡‹–‘–Š‡™‘”Ž†‘ˆ ‘™Ž‹‰‰”ƒ†—ƒ–‡†ǡ„›…Šƒ…‡•Š‡–‘‘

—•–ͳͲ›‡ƒ”•Žƒ–‡”ƒ†‘™Ž‹‰ ™Š‹•‡›™ƒ•‘–ƒ’”‡Ǧ†‡–‡”‹‡†‘‡Ǥ ƒŒ‘„ƒ–ƒ…‘–…Š™Š‹•›„Ž‡†‹‰ƒ†
‹•ƒƒ•–‡”†‹•–‹ŽŽ‡”ƒ†„Ž‡†‡”ˆ‘” Š‡‰”‡™—’‹ƒ•ƒŽŽ–‘™‹”‡Žƒ†ǡ „‘––Ž‹‰•‹–‡‹
Žƒ•‰‘™ǤDz™ƒ•ǯ––Š‡”‡
‡ƒ—–‘”›Ǣ•’‡…‹ϐ‹…ƒŽŽ›ǡ‹Ž„‡‰‰ƒ Œ—•–ʹͲ‹—–‡•„›…ƒ”–‘‹Ž„‡‰‰ƒǤDz ˆ‘”–Š‡™Š‹•›ǡdz‘™Ž‹‰ƒ†‹–•ǤDz™ƒ•
†‹•–‹ŽŽ‡”›‹‘—–›‡•–‡ƒ–Šǡ”‡Žƒ†Ǥ †‘ǯ–Šƒ˜‡•–”‘‰‡‘”‹‡•‘ˆ™ƒ–‹‰ –ƒ‡‘ƒ–‘—”‘ˆ–Š‡•‹–‡ƒ†™Šƒ–
•–ƒ„Ž‹•Š‡†‹ͳ͹ͷ͹„›ƒ––Š‹—• –‘„‡ƒ›‘‡–Š‹‰‹’ƒ”–‹…—Žƒ”ǡ„—– ™ƒ••–ƒ”–‹‰–‘Ž‡ƒ”ƒ„‘—––Š‹•‹†—•–”›
…ƒ—•ǡ–Š‡†‹•–‹ŽŽ‡”›Šƒ•Šƒ†ƒ †‘”‡‡„‡”Š‘’‹‰›Ž‹ˆ‡™‘—Ž† ”‡ƒŽŽ›…ƒ’–—”‡†›‹ƒ‰‹ƒ–‹‘Ǥ™ƒ•
–—”„—Ž‡–Š‹•–‘”›Ǥˆ–‡”†‡…ƒ†‡•‘ˆ ‹˜‘Ž˜‡–”ƒ˜‡Žƒ†ƒ†˜‡–—”‡ǡdz•Š‡ ‘Ž›‘ƒͳͷǦ‘–Š…‘–”ƒ…–ƒ†Œ—•–
‘Ǧ‘ˆˆ‘’‡”ƒ–‹‘ƒ†–Š‡…Šƒ‰‹‰‘ˆ ”‡…ƒŽŽ•Ǥ–™ƒ•‹…‘–Žƒ†–Šƒ–‘™Ž‹‰ ”‡‡„‡”–Š‹‹‰ȏ•Š‘—Ž†Ȑ—•‡–Š‹•
—Ž–‹’Ž‡Šƒ†•ǡ–Š‡†‹•–‹ŽŽ‡”›…‡ƒ•‡† ™‘—Ž†Ȃ—„‡‘™•––‘Š‡”Ȃ„‡‰‹ …‘–”ƒ…––‘Ž‡ƒ”ƒ•—…Šƒ•’‘••‹„Ž‡Ǥdz

20 Irish Whiskey | 2021

Whisky People Sarah Dowling

2021 | Irish Whiskey 21

Whisky People Sarah Dowling

Š‡”•‡…‘††ƒ›ǡ•Š‡‘…‡†
‘–Š‡†‘‘”‘ˆ–Š‡„Ž‡†‡”•ǯ‘ˆϐ‹…‡
ƒ†ƒ•‡†–‘Œ‘‹–Š‡•‡•‘”›’ƒ‡Ž
... Dowling and the team have been busy
ˆ‘”ƒ…Šƒ…‡–‘™‘”‹’”‘†—…– working to keep the brand, and the Irish
†‡˜‡Ž‘’‡–Ǥ†–Š‡”‡•–ǡƒ•–Š‡›
•ƒ›ǡ™ƒ•Š‹•–‘”›ǣDz–”‡ƒŽŽ›•’ƒ”‡† whiskey category, innovating...
•‘‡–Š‹‰‹‡ǥ–Š‡•‡•‘”›™‘”Ž†
ƒ†‹–•†‡•…”‹’–‘”•ˆƒ•…‹ƒ–‡†‡Ǥ˜‡”
–‹‡™ƒ•ƒ†‡’‡”ƒ‡–ƒ†™‹–Š
‡˜‡”›Œ‘„…Šƒ‰‡ˆ‘—†›•‡Žˆ‘˜‹‰ Opening pages: ‹••—‡•Ǥ‘™Ž‹‰Ž‹‡•–‘–Š‡†‡†‹…ƒ–‡ Š‡”‡•—Ž–••’‡ƒˆ‘”–Š‡•‡Ž˜‡•Ǥ
‘”‡‹–‘–Š‡’”‘†—…–‹‘”‡ƒŽǤdzŠ‡ Some of the Beam –‹‡–‘™‘”‘ƒ›ƒ…–‹‘•ˆ”‘–Š‡ ‘™Ž‹‰‡š’Žƒ‹•–Šƒ–‹Ž„‡‰‰ƒ
ƒ”‘Ž‡…ƒ‡—’ƒ––Š‡‘‘Ž‡›‹•–‹ŽŽ‡”› Suntory whiskies ‡‡–‹‰•ǡ„‡ˆ‘”‡–Š‹‹‰ƒ„‘—––Š‡ ™Š‹•‡›ǡˆ‘”‡šƒ’Ž‡ǡŠƒ•‘”‡
under Sarah’s
‹‘—–›‘—–Šǡ™Š‡”‡‘™Ž‹‰‹•‘™ „‹‰‰‡”’‹…–—”‡ǡ•—…Šƒ•†‡˜‡Ž‘’‡– …Šƒ”ƒ…–‡”ƒ†ϐŽƒ˜‘—”–Šƒ‘‡‹‰Š–
stewardship.
„ƒ•‡†ȋƒ†™Š‹…Š™ƒ•ˆ‘—†‡†„›
‘Š ’”‘Œ‡…–•ƒ™ƒ›ˆ”‘–Š‡…‘’—–‡”ǣ’‹Ž‘– ‡š’‡…–†—‡–‘–Š‡‹”†‘—„Ž‡†‹•–‹ŽŽƒ–‹‘
‡‡Ž‹‰Ȍǡ…‘‹…‹†‹‰™‹–ŠŠ‡”’Žƒ•–‘ These pages, left „Ž‡†‹‰ǡ”‡˜‹‡™‹‰ƒ”–™‘”ǡ•ƒ’Ž‹‰ ‡–Š‘†ǡŠ‹‰ŠŽ‹‰Š–‹‰‹–•†‹•–‹…–ƒ’’Ž‡
‘˜‡Š‘‡–‘”‡Žƒ†ǡ•Š‡–‘‘‹–Ǥ
‘™ǡƒ–›’‹…ƒŽ†ƒ›ƒ––Š‡‡ƒ”„›
‹Ž„‡‰‰ƒ‹•–‹ŽŽ‡”›™‹ŽŽ•–ƒ”–™‹–Šƒ
‘”‹‰‡‡–‹‰ǡ–ƒŽ‹‰‘˜‡”–Š‡’ƒ•–
ʹͶŠ‘—”•‘ˆ’”‘†—…–‹‘ƒ†‘•‹‰‡™Ǧ
to right: …ƒ••ǡƒŽ‘‰•‹†‡™‘”‹‰…Ž‘•‡Ž›™‹–Š ƒ†ƒŽ‘†‘–‡•ǡƒ†–Š‡˜ƒ‹ŽŽƒˆ”‘
Kilbeggan Distillery; –Š‡ϐ‹ƒ…‡–‡ƒ‘ƒ–—”‹‰‹˜‡–‘”›ǡ ‹–•–‹‡‹‘—”„‘…ƒ••ǤŠ‡ƒŽ•‘
Sarah Dowling; ‡•—”‹‰–Š‡›ǯ”‡—•‹‰–Š‡”‹‰Š–Ž‹“—‹†• …”‡†‹–•–Š‡”‡ƒŽ…‘’Ž‡š‹–›‘ˆ–Š‡•‹‰Ž‡
Moving casks
–‘ˆ—Žϐ‹Ž–Š‡ˆ‘”‡…ƒ•–•ƒ†‡‡’™‹–Š‹ ’‘–•–‹ŽŽƒ†”›‡‡š’”‡••‹‘•ǡ™Š‹Ž‡
in Kilbeggan’s
warehouse. „—†‰‡–ǤŠ‡•ƒ›•ǡDzŠƒ–„ƒ…ƒ†ˆ‘”–Š ‘–‹‰–Šƒ–‹Ž„‡‰‰ƒ™Š‹•‹‡•™‘”
ƒ‡•’‹”‹–™‹–Š–Š‡†‹•–‹ŽŽ‡”›ƒƒ‰‡”ǡ
„‡ˆ‘”‡‘˜‹‰‘–‘–Š‡„Ž‡†‹‰ƒ†
…ƒ•‹‰–‡ƒ‡‡–‹‰ˆ‘”“—ƒŽ‹–›
‹•”‡ƒŽŽ›‹’‘”–ƒ––‘‡‡’‘–”ƒ…ƒ†
ƒ‡•—”‡–Šƒ–Ǯˆ—–—”‡ƒ”ƒŠǯ‹•ǯ–‰‘‹‰
–‘„‡ƒ†ƒ–‡Ǥdz
”‡ƒŽŽ›™‡ŽŽ‹…‘…–ƒ‹Ž•ȂDzƒ‡ƒ‡ƒ
™Š‹•‡›•‘—”ǡdz•Š‡ƒ††•’Žƒ›ˆ—ŽŽ›Ǥ
Š‡‹–…‘‡•–‘Š‡”†‹•–‹ŽŽ‹‰ƒ†
„Ž‡†‹‰’Š‹Ž‘•‘’Š›ǡ‘™Ž‹‰Ž‹‡•
‹Ž„‡‰‰ƒǯ•…Šƒ”ƒ…–‡”ƒ––Š‡†‘‘”‘ˆ
‹–••’‹”‹–•–›Ž‡ǣDz ‘”‡ǡ‡™Ǧƒ‡
•’‹”‹–“—ƒŽ‹–›‹•–Š‡•–ƒ”–‹‰’‘‹–ˆ‘”
‡˜‡”›–Š‹‰ǡ‡•—”‹‰–Šƒ––Š‡•’‹”‹–
™‡ǯ”‡’—––‹‰‹–‘…ƒ•‹•–Š‡‘•–
…‘•‹•–‡–ƒ†Š‹‰Š‡•–“—ƒŽ‹–›ǥƒŽŽ
‘ˆ–Š‡•–”—…–—”‡•–Šƒ–™‡„—‹Ž†—’Ȃ
ƒ””›‹‰ǡ„‘––‹‰ǡƒ‰‡‹‰Ȃƒ”‡–Š‡–Š‡
•—’’‘”–•›•–‡•™Š‹…Š‰‹˜‡‡Ž‘–•‘ˆ
‘’–‹‘•‹–Š‡›‡ƒ”•–‘…‘‡Ǥdz
•—”‹‰…‘•‹•–‡…›‹‹Ž„‡‰‰ƒǯ•
Š‹‰ŠǦ˜‘Ž—‡”ƒ‰‡•ƒ†–ƒ‹‰–Š‡
–‹‡–‘†‡˜‡Ž‘’‡™’”‘†—…–•ƒ”‡–Š‡
–™‘ˆ‘…—••‡•ˆ‘”‘™Ž‹‰ƒ†Š‡”–‡ƒǤ
–ǯ•–Š‡Žƒ––‡”™Š‡”‡Š‡”‘™’‡”•‘ƒŽ
–ƒ•–‡•‰‡––‘”‡‹‰‘”‡ˆ”‡‡Ž›Ǥ ‘”
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…‘–”‹„—–‹‘•–‘–Š‡‹†—•–”›ƒ†–‘

22 Irish Whiskey | 2021

 Whisky People Sarah Dowling

NORTHE
NO E RN
I RELA
IR ANND

BELFAST

COOLEY
DISTILLERY

‘™Ž‹‰ǯ•…ƒ”‡‡”ǣ‘‹ˆ‡Žƒ”‡ǡ•‡‹‘”
†‹”‡…–‘”‘ˆ’—„Ž‹…ƒˆˆƒ‹”•ˆ‘”‡ƒ KILBEGGAN
DISTILLERY
—–‘”›ǡŠƒ•„‡‡Dzƒ‰”‡ƒ–‡–‘” DUBLIN
ƒ†ƒˆ”‹‡†dzǡ™Š‹Ž‡•Š‡ƒŽ•‘…‹–‡•”‹•Š TULLAMORE
‹•–‹ŽŽ‡”•ƒ”…Š‹˜‹•–ƒ”‘Ž‡—‹Dz™Š‘
‹•‹…”‡†‹„Ž‡–‘Š‡ƒ”•’‡ƒdzƒ†‘‡
Ƭ‘Ǥǯ•Š‡ƒ††‹•–‹ŽŽ‡”‘”ƒ‡›Ǥ† IRE AND
IRELA

ƒŽ–Š‘—‰Š•Š‡Šƒ•‡š’‡”‹‡…‡†„‡‹‰–Š‡
‘Ž›™‘ƒ‹–Š‡”‘‘ǡ•Š‡Šƒ•ǯ–ˆ‡Ž– LIMERICK

Ž‹‡•Š‡™ƒ•–Š‡ϐ‹”•–Ȃ•Š‡Š‘’‡•™‹–Š
–Š‡™‘”•Š‡†‘‡••Š‡…ƒ’ƒ›ˆ‘”™ƒ”†
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2021 | Irish Whiskey 23

Tastings: Latest
The Busker
Triple Cask Triple Smooth
Taster biographies THE BUSKER

Phoebe Calver ABV: 40.0% Phoebe Christopher

Style: Blended
After studying English and Journalism at university, Region: N/A Nose: Peaches in syrup, Nose: Restrained dried
Phoebe has turned her hand to writing for the drinks Price per bottle: tropical hints, creamy fruits – pineapple and
industry. She splits her time between the UK and US Bottling: Distillery coconut macaroon, apple slices. Empire
as editor of American Whisky Magazine and Whisky Availability: Core Range linseed oil, honey biscuit and lime cordial.
Magazine’s deputy editor. drizzled on toasted fruit Somewhat resinous
REP. OF IRELAND
loaf. Resin and grated notes of violin rosin and
nutmeg. freshly sawn oak.
Christopher Coates Palate: Light and Palate: Light mouthfeel.
A member of the team since 2013 and a keen whisky sweet, with nutmeg Apricot and vanilla,
drinker long before that, Christopher was recently spiced warmth. Dried some subtle nutmeg
appointed as editor of Whisky Magazine. Beyond this, he ÀJVDOWHGFDUDPHO and clove spice
is head of content and marketing for this title’s parent chocolate, a little more beneath. A touch of
company and is also chair of judges for the World Whiskies honey sweetness and white grape.
Awards and the Independent Bottlers Challenge. cinnamon spice. Finish: Honeyed
Finish: Medium length and gently drying.
and pleasant, with that Medium-short.
THE PROCESS FLQQDPRQVSLFHÁDLU Comment: An easy-
Comment: Warming, going blend.
• All samples are blind tasted, with ABV and style the only
sweet and spicy. There’s Would make for a
information disclosed.
nothing shocking and refreshing highball.
• Samples are tasted individually over a two week period. it’s very drinkable.
• Tasters are provided tasting and scoring guidelines
for consistency.
• The top scorer is awarded Editor’s Choice.
• Scores of 17+ receive a Recommended award.
7.5 7.3

Clonakilty Irish Whiskey Fercullen

Single Batch Double Oak Finish The Mill House – Amarone Finish
CLONAKILTY DISTILLERY POWERSCOURT DISTILLERY

ABV: 43.6% Phoebe Christopher ABV: 46.1% Phoebe Christopher

Style: Blended Style: Single Grain
Region: N/A Nose: :LOGÁRZHUVVOLJKW Nose: Peaches Region: N/A Nose: Nose opening Nose: Digestive biscuit,
Price per bottle: farmyard notes of hay and cream sweets, Price per bottle: up with ease – then vanilla cupcake with
Bottling: Distillery and silage. Then yoghurt lemonade (the soda, Bottling: Distillery a little cocoa butter, butter icing, hot milk
Availability: Core Range with honey drizzled over not cloudy), and vanilla Availability: Limited Edition edging towards gorse with nutmeg and a
and a hint of subtle yoghurt. Fresh blueberry, bush. Then the notes of little cocoa. Soft brown
REP. OF IRELAND REP. OF IRELAND
sage. Some apple skin, delicate coconut, and a grain store, light and bread and just a whiff
poached pear and IURVWHGVSRQJHÀQJHUV fresh. of pear drop and red
vanilla pod appear. Palate: Sweet and light Palate: A little more apple fruitiness.
Palate: More of that bodied. Follows the nose about it here, with Palate: Medium-light
ZLOGÁRZHUEOXHEHOOQRWH with plenty of vanilla peach in syrup. body. Nicely balanced
then butter icing, sweet yoghurt, delicate berries Frangipane emerges mix of sweet vanilla
cream, honey spread and orchard fruits – a ZLWKKHUEDOZLOGÁRZHUV custard poured over
on madeira cake, sliced little apple, this time. and heather honey, to a apple crumble dusted
pear and coloured paper Finish: Medium length. little chilli spice. with cinnamon. The pear
with some nutmeg and Honey water and Finish: Relatively short drop lingers in the back.
soft spice. blueberry play out with syrupy sweetness Finish: Medium length,
Finish: It’s a medium the show. and herbal honey. fades on red apple skin.
ÀQLVKDQGIXOORI Comment: A solid ‘daily Comment: This took a Comment: A simple
pear drops. sipper’ kind of blend. while to show itself, not but nicely constructed
Comment: This is massively complex but grain whiskey. Pretty
really delightful, fresh there are enticing notes. quaffable!
and sweet. It’s a nice
little sipper.

7.5 7.6 7.7 7.8

24 Irish Whiskey | 2021

Bottle price guide: £11-25 (US$17-40) £26-70 (US$40-110) £71-120 (US$110-190) £121-180 (US$190-280) £181 plus (US$280 plus)

Glendalough Hinch
17 Years Old Mizunara Oak Finish Craft & Casks
GLENDALOUGH HINCH DISTILLERY

ABV: 46.0% Phoebe Christopher ABV: 43.0% Phoebe Christopher

Style: Single Malt Style: Blended
Region: N/A Nose: Quite spiritous, a Nose: Intense anise and Region: N/A Nose: Strawberry and Nose: Rhubarb crumble
Price per bottle: touch of imperial leather herbal notes (thyme, I Price per bottle: vanilla sweets in an and vanilla custard,
Bottling: Distillery softness, beeswax that’s think). There’s a little Bottling: Distillery old sweet shop. Then with lots of brown sugar.
Availability: Core Range verging on candle wax. hay and candied orange. Availability: Core Range peachy notes in syrup, Swedish cardamom
Dried banana slices, In time, white chocolate fresh Madagascan pastries, nutmeg, and
REP. OF IRELAND REP. OF IRELAND
a little rubber, sweet and coconut ice, before vanilla custard, French some gentle sweet
ginger, Mr Kipling’s the orange returns as toast and a dusting of tangerine notes.
French Fancies. Then ÁDYRXUHGIRQGDQWÀOOLQJ icing sugar. Palate: Very light
candied peel and Delicately waxy, with Palate: Fruity up front, bodied and delicate
sultanas. a somewhat rummy warm and drying elements from the nose
Palate: White chocolate fermented fruit note. with chopped baked are here, but dialled
VSRQJHVRPHUXPÀOOHG Palate: 'HOLFDWHÁDYRXUV DOPRQGVVRPHNHÀU down. They are joined
sultanas. A little fresh and slightly spiritous. milk too. The sweet by gooseberry jam
cucumber water and The waxiness returns, and gentle crystalised and physalis (Peruvian
the beeswax returning, LQÁDYRXUEXWQRW ginger, a light and fresh groundcherry). However,
like lip balm. Coconut mouthfeel, as does hay loft and some soft vanilla somewhat steals
frosting, apple skin the citrus element. HOGHUÁRZHUFRUGLDO the show.
sweetness and more Moderately juicy. Finish: 0HGLXPÀQLVK Finish: Despite the
crystalised ginger. Finish: A distinctive with more hay loft and delicacy, a medium-
Finish: Medium length ‘green’ second phase of almond shavings. OHQJWKÀQLVKRISHDUV
ÀQLVKZLWKWKDWEHHVZD[ cucumber and melon. Comment: Nose gave and rhubarb.
and ginger sweetness. Comment: A delicate me high expectations, Comment: Delicate, but
Comment: Interesting dram with some but the palate wasn’t just enough complexity
and has a lot to say. complexity. as forthcoming. to make it interesting.

8.2 8.3 7.9 8.0

TASTE | Tastings Latest Bottle price guide: £11-25 (US$17-40) £26-70 (US$40-110) £71-120 (US$110-190)

Jameson Paddy’s
Jameson Black Barrel Old Irish Whiskey
IRISH DISTILLERS PADDY’S

ABV: 40.0% Phoebe Christopher ABV: 40.0% Phoebe Christopher

Style: Blended Style: Blended
Region: N/A Nose: Warming amber Nose: Intense fruit Region: N/A Nose: A grain store on Nose: Hay and cut grass
Price per bottle: notes, with dry hints gummies – we’re in Price per bottle: a warm summer’s day. from the mower, vanilla
Bottling: Distillery of playdough, almond Haribo Starmix territory Bottling: Distillery Soft creamy freshness pod, and gorse bushes
Availability: Core Range ÁDNHVDQGEUHDGGRXJK here. Jamaican ginger Availability: Core Range of the centre of a in bloom. A subtle pear
Then vanilla pods, cake and hot chocolate peppermint cream, then drop and leafy greens
REP. OF IRELAND REP. OF IRELAND
butterscotch and a up front with lots of DÁRUDOVRDS\QRWHZLWK element. Very delicate
little pear. marshmallows. There’s heather honey and honeysuckle.
Palate: A light mouthfeel digestive biscuit and rummy notes. Palate: Light bodied.
with warming spices tea cake too, with lots Palate: Smooth with Lots of vanilla custard
of cinnamon and of raisins. Medjool date more of that peppermint and shortbread, apple
clove. Then butter and golden syrup. cream, cigar box spice, crumble and a touch of
cream, vanilla and Palate: Medium-light ginger and a hit of poached pear.
dark chocolate, with bodied. The chocolate heather honey. Finish: Short and sweet.
some ginger chunks. notes are up front here, Finish: Short and soft, Comment: So easy
That playdough note is with the fruits taking warming ginger spice going one might forget
becoming rather sagey. a back seat. Golden and honey. it’s a spirit, in a very
Finish: Light and a syrup is back, as is the Comment: This isn’t endearing kind of way.
PHGLXPOHQJWKÀQLVK date, with lots of stewed massively complex and ,QWKHRIÀFHZHFDOOWKLV
rounding out with light apples and caramel. EHFDXVHWKHÀQLVKLV ‘drinking whisky’.
and dry sage. Finish: Medium length. so short it did leaving
Comment: Well Sweet and indulgent. me wishing for a little
integrated and very Comment: The palate more oomph.
appealing, making for a isn’t as complex as the
nice gentle sipper. nose, but very moreish.

7.9 8.1 7.3 7.2

Teeling Whiskey Tipperary

Brabazon Series 4 Home Grown Barley
TEELING WHISKEY TIPPERARY BOUTIQUE DISTILLERY

ABV: 49.5% Phoebe Christopher ABV: 50.0% Phoebe Christopher

Style: Single Malt Style: Single Malt
Region: N/A Nose: Gentle hint Nose: Liquorice and Region: N/A Nose: Almond Nose: Anise and leather,
Price per bottle: of furniture polish, chocolate brownie. Price per bottle: frangipane notes right eucalyptus and black
Bottling: Distillery red berries and a Maraschino liqueur: Bottling: Distillery away, then some sour bean sauce. Savoury
Availability: Core Range creaminess reminiscent some earthiness, Availability: Core Range milk and nutmeg spice. enough to remind me
of black forest gateaux. almond and sweet- There’s a sweetness of of ‘sauce’ baijiu. Walnut
REP. OF IRELAND REP. OF IRELAND
Sweet apple skins and and-sour cherry. Some glace cherries, a hint liqueur and 90 per cent
peppermint, with orange oils and pencil of dried papaya chunks dark chocolate. Lots of
tarragon and shavings are in the mix. and herbal dried sage. nutmeg and a whiff of
lemon juice. Palate: Medium-full. A Palate: Interesting. oude wood.
Palate: Jammy notes, whack of black treacle, There’s spearmint Palate: Medium body.
rich and homemade dark chocolate, and freshness, then a Maintains the savoury
with red berries and orange zest notes. slightly butyric note note, but underpinned
vanilla fudge. Calming Gentle clove and that pops up amid by apple chutney and
tarragon notes emerge, cinnamon, before sweet cherry, chopped a touch of sour plum.
with butter icing, lemon roasted chestnut and almonds, cinnamon There’s some hickory
zest and cinnamon. umami builds. Behind is spice, chopped dried and tamarind in there
Finish: Medium length, apples and pears. sage and sweet icing too, with a hint of cumin.
fresh and herbal. Finish: Those cherry and sugar in with some Finish: Long, with clove
Comment: I sat with nutty notes linger for a heather honey. and roasted chestnuts
this for a while and PHGLXPORQJÀQLVK Finish: Sweet, fresh (charred, even).
enjoyed it – it’s not over Comment: It’s a sage lingers. Comment: There’s a lot
the top, but does give ready-made whiskey Comment: This is of complexity and spirit
you some bite and well- old fashioned with really interesting, well character, but I suspect
integrated complexity. chocolate bitters. Lovely. integrated and complex. it’s not all grown up yet.

8.1 8.4 8.0 8.1

26 Irish Whiskey | 2021

 £121-180 (US$190-280) £181 plus (US$280 plus)

Two Stacks
The Blender’s Cut – Cask Strength
TWO STACKS

ABV: 63.15% Phoebe Christopher

Style: Blended
Region: N/A Nose: Perfumed soapy Nose:'HOLFDWHÁRUDOV²
Price per bottle: notes begin, with bran pot pourri and daffodil.
Bottling: Distillery ÁDNHVWLQQHGSHDFKHV Butter icing and, with
Availability: Core Range WKHQPRUHIUHVKÁRUDO time, vegan leather. Now
notes and faux leather we’re in the art supply
REP. OF IRELAND
purses. An artist at cupboard – pastels and
the easel creating an oil paints. Beneath that,
oil masterpiece, then some walnut and toffee.
cream soda. It’s all there but hard to
Palate: Oily but then reach due to the ABV.
quite quickly drying. :LWKZDWHUWKHÁRUDOV
The oily notes are back, dial up to gentian.
but sweeter and with Palate: Pretty tingly.
white pepper heat. Light to medium body.
Some resin notes and Toffee, pear drop, and
a little mustiness, more sugar syrup. Water
syrupy peach, toffee, brings out some orange
poached pear and a and nutmeg notes, but
kick of ginger. makes it a touch hotter.
Finish: Hot, sweet, Finish: Toffee and
and spiced. cucumber water.
Comment: It has good Medium-short.
ÁDYRXUDQGFRPSOH[LW\ Comment: A bit of a wild
but is quite unusual. one that I couldn’t tame.

7.5 7.3

The Whistler
P.X. I Love You
BOANN DISTILLERY

ABV: 46.0% Phoebe Christopher

Style: Single Malt
Region: N/A Nose: Fresh and oaky, Nose: Bags of fresh red
Price per bottle: kicking out full-on apple, toffee and subtle
Bottling: Distillery vanilla custard notes. ÁRUDOVOLNHODYHQGHU
Availability: Small Batch An interesting dry and Caramel and milk
earthy note, followed chocolate chew, with
REP. OF IRELAND
by peppermint cream fudge cake and candied
and randomly… a little orange. Toasted almond
twiglet. ÁDNHVDQGVRPH0RUHOOR
Palate: Very fresh cherry and raspberry.
with the peppermint Cedar and patchouli.
UHWXUQLQJ7KHQLW·VÀU Palate: Medium-
WUHHVVZHHWÀJZLWK full body. An instant
mascarpone and a hit of chocolate and caramel
vanilla. Gentle warming hit – it’s millionaire
cinnamon appears with shortbread. Medjool
DOPRQGÁDNHV date with pistachio
Finish: Medium to short butter, nougat and rose.
with amaretto making Finish: Long, fading
an appearance. to red apple dipped in
Comment: There is chocolate.
quite a lot going on, Comment: Indulgent.
some of it a little out of Plenty of cask, but
OHIWÀHOGDQGVRPHRILW enough spirit character
spot on. to maintain balance.

8.0 8.4

2021 | Irish Whiskey 27

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Clonakilty Distillery
Tel + 353 (0)23 887 8020
www.clonakiltydistillery.ie

Clonakilty Distillery is located in the

Š‡ƒ”–‘ˆ‡•–‘”ǡ”‡Žƒ†ǡ™Š‡”‡
its €10 million facility proudly sits.
The distillery itself opened in 2018
and is a local operation through and
through; the Scully family, who founded
Clonakilty Distillery, have farmed the
windswept coastal stretch of land for
nine successive generations.
The distillery has the best resources
that nature has to offer; with prime
land, pristine water and salty sea air, the
Scully family had the perfect ingredients
ˆ‘”ƒƒ”‹–‹‡†‹•–‹ŽŽ‡”›Ǥ–‹•Š‡”‡–Šƒ–
Boann Distillery they distil their award-winning new-
Tel +353 (0)41 987 8078 make whiskey and store their casks,
www.boanndistillery.ie safely tucked away in their warehouse
on a windswept cliff edge next to the
Boann Distillery is a family-run Atlantic Ocean.
Dingle Distillery
Tel +353 (0)66 402 9011
www.dingledistillery.ie
The Dingle Distillery came into being
distillery in Co. Meath which has won ‹–Š‡™‹–‡”‘ˆʹͲͳʹǤ”‡Žƒ†™ƒ•
a prestigious award for producing the beginning to come out of recession, but
best new-make whiskey in the world. —„‡‘™•––‘ƒ›ǡƒ•‹‰‹ϐ‹…ƒ–
The honour of Best New Make 2021, ‡˜‡–‹–Š‡”‹•Š™Š‹•‡›‹†—•–”›™ƒ•
for its single pot still ‘New Born’ spirit, happening in a tin shed in the town
came just weeks after it scooped six ‘ˆ‹‰Ž‡Ǥ‹–‡••‡†„›ˆ‡™ǡ–Š‡ϐ‹”•–
prizes in the national category of the ‹‰Ž‡™Š‹•‡›…ƒ••™‡”‡ϐ‹ŽŽ‡†‘ͳͺ
same awards. December 2012. Three years and a day
DzŠ‹•‹•˜‡”›‡š…‹–‹‰ǡƒϐ‹”•–ˆ‘”—• later on 19 December 2015, one cask,
ƒ†ƒϐ‹”•–ˆ‘””‡Žƒ†ǡdz•ƒ‹†‘ƒ Cask No. 2, was released. Since then,
Distillery founder, Pat Cooney. “We have ‹‰Ž‡‹•–‹ŽŽ‡”›Šƒ•”‡Ž‡ƒ•‡†ϐ‹˜‡•ƒŽŽǦ
achieved this by merging the old ways batch single malts and four single pot
of whiskey production in copper pot still releases.
stills with cutting-edge, 21st-century Dingle has always prized quality
ƒ‘Ǧ–‡…Š‘Ž‘‰›Ǥ–‹•ƒ‹…”‡†‹„Ž‡ over quantity and never had any
ƒ…Š‹‡˜‡‡–ˆ‘”‘—”–‡ƒǤdz interest in distilling large quantities
Boann employs more than 20 people of what it deems ‘bland’ whiskey.
at its €20 million plant just outside The team understand and respect
Drogheda, with plans underway to the aforementioned concept, but it
open a new visitor centre and roll out a just wasn’t for them. They are hugely
new gin, Silks, named after the nearby ’ƒ••‹‘ƒ–‡ƒ„‘—–…”‡ƒ–‹‰ϐŽƒ˜‘—”•‘‡ǡ
Bellewstown Races. well-crafted spirit. This is demonstrated
The distillery has recently embarked by the numerous awards and accolades
on a unique programme of cask sales. the distillery and spirits have earned,
This sees its award-winning new-make most recently a Gold Medal for its Batch
spirit laid down to mature in a cask 5 Single Malt at the San Francisco World
of your choice, with more than 12 Spirits Competition 2021 and a gold
different cask types in a government- medal, and Whisky of the Year title for
…‘–”‘ŽŽ‡†„‘†™‹–Šϐ‹˜‡›‡ƒ”•ǯ•–‘”ƒ‰‡ its Fourth Single Pot Still Release and
and insurance pre-paid. the London Spirits Competition 2021.

29 Irish Whiskey | 2021

 SPECIAL PROMOTION Irish Whiskey Directory

Hinch Distillery
Tel +353 (0)28 9279 1180
www.hinchdistillery.com

Hinch Distillery is located in the heart

of County Down and has created
worldwide interest with the release of
its triple-distilled single malt An Chead
—ǯ•ϐ‹”•–ͳ͸ͳ…ƒ••Ǥ
The brainchild of successful Irish Distillers
entrepreneur Dr Terry Cross, the Tel +353 (1) 212 9000
†‹•–‹ŽŽ‡”›ƒ‡•„‘–Š‹…Š”‹•Š www.irishdistillers.ie
Whiskey and its award-winning Ninth
ƒ˜‡”‹•Š
‹ƒ†Šƒ•„‡‡‡š’‘”–‹‰ ”‹•Š‹•–‹ŽŽ‡”•Šƒ•Ž‡†–Š‡‰Ž‘„ƒŽ
‘Š
ƒ‡•‘ǯ•„”ƒ˜‡ϐ‹”•–•–‡’•
Glendalough Distillery
Tel +353 (0)16 759 744
www.us.glendaloughdistillery.com
Glendalough Distillery is a craft
distillery in the Wicklow mountains
its mature inventory to more than 25
countries around the world since 2019.
The distillery features a modern visitor
centre with bar, restaurant, conference
facilities and retail shop, and visitor
tours will commence as soon as current
restrictions are lifted.
Hinch Distillery’s head of distilling,
Aaron Flaherty, is determined to make a
quality statement through his distillate
and craft an innovative style that
”‡ϐŽ‡…–•–Š‡—‹“—‡”‡‰‹‘ƒŽ‹–›‘ˆ–Š‡
”‡ƒ‹••ƒ…‡‹”‹•Š™Š‹•‡›ǡ™‡Ž…‘‹‰
more than 400,000 visitors every year
to its sites.
‹…‡
into this building in 1780, Jameson
has been focused on his ambition
to create unforgettable experiences
(along with great whiskey, of course).
Jameson Distillery Bow St. carries on
–Š‹•ƒ„‹–‹‘–Š”‘—‰Šϐ‹˜‡ˆ—ŽŽ›‰—‹†‡†
experiences: Bow St. Experience
Distillery Tour, Premium Whiskey
‹”‡Žƒ†ǤŠ‡
Ž‡†ƒŽ‘—‰Š–‡ƒ Co. Down site and its close proximity Tasting, Whiskey Blending Class,
progressively craft spirits that evoke a
sense of place, an appreciation of the
™‹Ž†ϐŽƒ˜‘—”•™‹–Š‹ǡƒ†ƒ”‡…‘‰‹–‹‘
of what it took to put them there. Their
whiskeys are the result of a relentless
•‡ƒ”…Šˆ‘”–Š‡ϐ‹‡•–ǡ‘•–ϐŽƒ˜‘—”ˆ—Ž
oak species in the world.
Glendalough searches the mountains
for the perfect oak, sustainably felling
its own trees for casks, making sure
there are more trees in the ground
–‘…‘–Žƒ†Ǥ–ǯ•”‹•Š™Š‹•‡›‘ˆ–Š‡
highest quality, but the word ‘bold’
underpins much of Aaron’s thinking,
and the triple-distilled new make that
was the An Chead Dun release was
proof that a very high bar is being set at
Hinch Distillery.
Whiskey Cocktail Making Class, and
a Cask Draw Experience in Dublin’s
only live maturation warehouse – all of
™Š‹…ŠŠƒ˜‡ƒϐ‹”ˆ‘…—•‘‹‡”•‹˜‡
storytelling. Visitors are invited to
touch, smell and, most importantly,
taste Jameson in the original Bow St.
Distillery buildings in Dublin.
On a visit to the Jameson Distillery
Midleton, guests can enjoy a host of
unique experiences, from a premium
–Šƒ™Š‡‹–•–ƒ”–‡†Ǥ”‹•Š‘ƒ‹•”ƒ”‡ǡ whiskey tasting to a workshop at its
so the team at Glendalough also source •–ƒ–‡Ǧ‘ˆǦ–Š‡Ǧƒ”–”‹•ŠŠ‹•‡›…ƒ†‡›
French, Spanish and Japanese oak for and access to the site’s microdistillery,
whiskey maturation, controlling the cooperage, maturation warehouse and
quality of the oak, the cask and even the distiller’s cottage.
predecessor liquid. This way they have Today, every drop of Jameson enjoyed
more control over the depth and kinds around the world is produced in
‘ˆϐŽƒ˜‘—”•‹–Š‡™Š‹•‡›Ǥ‘‡‘ˆ Midleton, just 20 minutes’ drive from
–Š‡•‡™Š‹•‡›•Šƒ˜‡„‡‡™‘”Ž†ϐ‹”•–• Cork City. Visitors are invited to take a
Ž‹‡”‹•Š•‹‰Ž‡ƒŽ–™Š‹•‡›ƒ‰‡†‹ fully hosted tour of the distillery which
”ƒ”‡
ƒ’ƒ‡•‡‹œ—ƒ”ƒ‘ƒƒ†”‹•Š brings the fascinating story of Jameson’s
•‹‰Ž‡ƒŽ–ƒ‰‡†‹”‹•Š‘ƒǤ rich heritage to life and learn about the
Glendalough was named Sustainable hard-working people and grain-to-glass
‹•–‹ŽŽ‡”›‘ˆ–Š‡‡ƒ”‹–Š‡…‘•‘ˆ processes responsible for the whiskey
Š‹•‡›”‡Žƒ†ʹͲʹͳǤ that bears John Jameson’s name.

2021 | Irish Whiskey 30

SPECIAL PROMOTION Irish Whiskey Directory

The Powerscourt
Distillery
Tel +353 (1) 506 5656
www.powerscourtdistillery.com

Follow your spirit of adventure and

chart a course over the Wicklow
‘—–ƒ‹•–‘†‹•…‘˜‡” ‡”…—ŽŽ‡”‹•Š
Whiskey. The ancient territory of
Fercullen is the old Gaelic name for
Powerscourt Estate, which is steeped in
history dating back to 808AD.
Only 30 minutes from Dublin in the
village of Enniskerry, the Powerscourt
estate and garden is a timeless place
of history and exploration and home
Lambay Whiskey to Powerscourt Distillery and Visitor
Tel +353 (1) 567 5400 Centre. As one of the few operational
www.lambaywhiskey.com †‹•–‹ŽŽ‡”‹‡•‹”‡Žƒ†™‹–Šƒƒ–—”ƒ–‹‘
warehouse on-site, visitors can savour
ƒ„ƒ›”‹•ŠŠ‹•‡›ƒ†‡‹–•ƒ”‡– the aroma of sleeping casks and enjoy
debut as an independent whiskey a multi-sensory grain-to-glass whiskey
bottler and blender in 2018 and tasting experience.
continues to grow its premium portfolio
and distribution in global markets.
Awarded with more than 30 whiskey
industry medals since the launch, the
unique taste of Lambay Whiskey is
far reaching and recognised for its
exceptional quality, unique branding
ƒ†”‡ϐ‹‡†–ƒ•–‡Ǥ
–•Ž‘…ƒ–‹‘‘ˆˆ‡”•ƒ……‡••–‘’—”‡
mineral water from a nearby waterfall,
‰‘Ž†‡„ƒ”Ž‡›ϐ‹‡Ž†•ƒ†ƒ‡˜‹ƒ„Ž‡
terroir – an ideal location to inspire a
new generation in craftsmanship under
the guidance of master distiller Noel
Sweeney. Tour guides are on hand to
take you on a whiskey odyssey, from
Teeling Whiskey Distillery
Tel +353 (0) 1531 0329
www.teelingwhiskey.com
Located in the heart of Dublin city
centre, the Teeling Whiskey Distillery
Lambay Whiskey is a collaboration –Š‡†‹ˆˆ‡”‡–•–›Ž‡•‘ˆ”‹•Š™Š‹•‡›–‘ ™ƒ•–Š‡ϐ‹”•–‡™†‹•–‹ŽŽ‡”›–‘‘’‡
between leading family-owned Cognac –Š‡ƒ”–‘ˆ†‹•–‹ŽŽ‹‰ƒ†ƒ–—”ƒ–‹‘Ǥ–ǯ• in the city in more than 125 years in
producer Camus and the Baring family’s the perfect setting in which to taste our March 2012.
Revelstoke Trust; it is a combination ‡”…—ŽŽ‡”‹•Š™Š‹•‹‡•Ǥ The distillery has welcomed more
‘ˆ…‡–—”‹‡•Ǧ‘Ž†”‹•Š™Š‹•‡›ƒ‹‰ than 500,000 visitors to date, picking
ƒ†ϐ‹˜‡‰‡‡”ƒ–‹‘•‘ˆ ”‡…Š‘‰ƒ… up several awards along the way in
blending and maturation expertise. testament to its dedication to crafting
Within the story is the island of ‘–‘Ž›–Š‡„‡•–”‹•Š™Š‹•‡›ǡ„—––Š‡
Lambay, a hidden paradise three miles best customer experience too.
off the coast of Dublin. There lies a The Teeling Whiskey Distillery is
15th-century castle, a maturation open from 10am to 5.40pm seven days
™ƒ”‡Š‘—•‡ǡƒ’Žƒ›‰”‘—†ˆ‘”’—ˆϐ‹•ǡƒ a week and hosts fully guided tours
sanctuary for seabirds and the adopted of the distillery where guests can see
Š‘‡‘ˆƒ–”‘—’‡‘ˆ™ƒŽŽƒ„‹‡•Ǥ–‹•ƒŽ•‘ all the elements involved in whiskey
the inspiration and home of Lambay production. All visitors to the distillery
”‹•ŠŠ‹•‡›ǡ™Š‡”‡…ƒ••Žƒ›‡š’‘•‡† receive a guided tasting with one of its
to the maritime winds and unique distillery ambassadors.
pollens of the island. There are a variety of options for
The distillery is currently offering whiskey-tasting experiences involving
four premium whiskeys: Lambay Small an upgrade to a Teeling Trinity tasting
ƒ–…ŠŽ‡†ǡ‹‰Ž‡ƒŽ–ǡ”‹•ŠƒŽ–ǡƒ† or tasting the award-winning range of
Single Malt Single Cask Strength. Teeling single malts.

31 Irish Whiskey | 2021