Rugby captain buys stake in Irish whiskey distillery

Former Ireland rugby captain Brian O’Driscoll has become joint-owner of Ireland’s Glendalough Distillery, as it is prepares to launch its first Irish whiskey, this month.

The distillery, which began distilling in County Wicklow in 2011, has sourced single malt whiskey from Beam Suntory for its Glendalough Whiskey.

Barry Gallagher, Glendalough Distillery managing director, said: “Having Brian O’Driscoll as a part owner is great – it’s a positive development for Glendalough and for Irish whiskey.”

The whiskey itself has been cut with Wicklow Mountain Water from Glendalough to 46% abv and non-chill-filtered before bottling.

The expression is the first whiskey released by Glendalough, following the lnch of its poitin range in the US and Australia last year.

Both the poitin range and Glendalough will now be available in the UK for an RRP of £37.50.

Glendalough Single Malt 7 Year Old is described as having a sweet nose with a touch of spice and citrus fruit, and a palate with notes of citrus, malt and oak.

The distillery intends to release a Glendalough 10- and 13-year-old in the near future.

In the meantime, the distillery will be bottling its first Autumnal Gin, featuring Fraughans and Wicklow Heather along with other native fruits and berries, soon.