This week we have four Irish whiskeys, all new releases. Uniquely, The Kerry Way Whiskey from Wayward Irish Spirits is not available for sale outside the Kingdom. From the same producer, Lakeview Single Estate Single Pot Still Whiskey (€110) is made from the distillery’s own barley and matured onsite, close to the lakes of Killarney. This must be as close to terroir as you can get in a whiskey.
The Shed Distillery in Drumshanbo, Co Leitrim, recently released its first 10-year-old whiskey, a limited edition of 3,000 bottles. All of the whiskeys released by Drumshanbo are distilled on site by the team so they have been waiting since 2014 to release this bottle.
Garden County Distillery in Wicklow has meanwhile launched the first in its Fortified Wine Cask Series, a collection that will feature single pot still Irish whiskeys aged in various European fortified wine casks. Each release will have a label created by a local artist, the first being Just a Few Drops by Kevin Roche. The first release was matured in Pedro Ximénez sherry casks. Just 300 bottles were produced.
The Lake Isle of Innisfree is the first limited release from Yeats Whiskey, based in Co Sligo. Within each bottle, 90 per cent of the whiskey is Irish grain whiskey, matured in first-fill ex-Bourbon American oak barrels, 9 per cent is triple-distilled Irish malt whiskey, finished in Ruby Port casks and 1 per cent is peated malt. The components were aged separately for five to seven years before blending, with 4,000 bottles produced.
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The Kerry Way Irish Whiskey
40%, €49
This is an elegant, smooth, easy-drinking whiskey with ripe red fruits, prunes and a hint of spice on the long finish.
Available exclusively in Kerry from Carryout, Killarney; Castle Off-Licence, Tralee; O’Driscolls, Cahersiveen and selected SuperValu stores
Drumshanbo 10-year-old Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey
43%, €89
Toasted hazelnuts, and the palate is honeyed yet fresh with rich orchard fruits balancing the textured spice and butterscotch. A subtle, engaging whiskey.
Limited edition, exclusively available at Dublin and Cork Airports until the end of April
Garden County Distillery Fortified Wine Cask Series: PX Sherry Cask
55%, €99
Finished in Pedro Ximénez sherry casks, this has layers of dried fruits, raisins with a light woody element. Rich and powerful.
From gardencountyirishwhiskey.com, Deveney’s, Dublin 14; Blackrock Cellar, Co Dublin; Celtic Whiskey, Dublin 2; JJ Fox, Dublin 2; The Corkscrew, Dublin 2
The Lake Isle of Innisfree, The Yeats Whiskey
43%, €90
Vanilla and honey aromas, smooth and rounded on the palate with rich dark fruits and a subtle smokiness.
From yeatsirishwhiskey.com, specialist off-licences and Dublin and Cork Airports
