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New Irish whiskeys for St Patrick’s Day

Today is St Patrick’s Day, but many revellers will be celebrating from the comfort of their own homes. SB has rounded up the latest Irish whiskeys that have hit the market so that wherever you are, you can still raise a glass to the patron saint of Ireland.

SB presents 10 new Irish whiskeys for St Paddy’s Day

Despite bars and pubs being closed and consumers advised to keep away as the world tackles a global pandemic, drinkers can still enjoy a healthy measure of Irish whiskey at home for St Patrick’s Day (17 March).

From an Irish whiskey finished in Tequila and mezcal casks to a coffee-infused expression, there’s something to suit every palate in our pick of new bottlings.

Whiskey fans can stock up on the latest Midleton Very Rare or get their hands on the first pot still variant from Glendalough Distillery.

Click through the following pages to see our pick of top Irish whiskeys that have launched in the past 12 months.

Kilbeggan Single Pot Still

Last month, Beam Suntory released a limited edition Kilbeggan whiskey that pays tribute to the traditional Irish pot still style.

Kilbeggan Single Pot Still is the second limited edition release from the producer that has been completely distilled and matured at the Kilbeggan Distillery since the site was restored in 2010.

Bottled at 43% ABV, the whiskey is available in the US, priced at US$44.99 per 750ml.

Glendalough whiskeys

Ireland’s Glendalough Distillery released a pot still whiskey aged in Bourbon and finished in virgin Irish oak, a 17-year-old single malt aged in Bourbon casks and mizunara oak and a 25-year-old single malt aged in Bourbon and oloroso Sherry barrels last year.

The Glendalough 17 Years Old has spent twice as long in the Japanese mizunara oak cask as its 13-year-old predecessor.

The Glendalough Pot Still is the distillery’s first pot still whiskey. It was first matured in ex-Bourbon casks for three years before being transferred into virgin Irish oak casks for a year. Meanwhile, the 25-year-old whiskey is thought to be the world’s first Irish single malt to be aged in Irish oak casks.

Jameson Cold Brew

Jameson’s coffee-infused Irish whiskey launched in the US earlier this year. Its launch in the market followed its debut in Australia and Ireland.

Jameson Cold Brew infuses triple-distilled Jameson Irish whiskey with cold brew coffee, made from 100% Arabica beans from Brazil and Colombia.

Bottled at 30% ABV with no added sugar, Jameson Cold Brew is available in both the on- and off-trade throughout the US, priced at RRP €28.50 (US$33).

Kinahan’s The Kasc Project

In October last year, Kinahan’s unveiled what it claims is the world’s first Irish whiskey range made using hybrid casks.

The new series is made from casks individually built from a mix of five different types of wood. The hybrid casks include Portuguese oak, French oak, American oak, Hungarian oak and chestnut.

The first whiskey in the range, called The Kasc Project, comprises of a blend of malt and grain whiskeys.

Midleton Very Rare 2019

Every year Irish whiskey fans look forward to seeing the latest edition of Midleton Very Rare from Irish Distillers.

The 2019 bottling combines single pot still and single grain Irish whiskeys selected by master distiller Brian Nation.

Each cask has been matured exclusively in lightly charred ex-Bourbon American oak barrels for between 13 and 34 years ­­– marking the oldest casks used to create a Midleton Very Rare expression.

Teeling Renaissance

Teeling Renaissance, aged for 18 years, was released to celebrate the rebirth and beginning of a new chapter in Irish whiskey’s ‘golden age’.

The expression is the first in the Irish whiskey producer’s new Renaissance range.

Initially matured in ex-Bourbon casks it was finished in ex-Madeira casks for 18 months before being bottled in November 2019.

Teeling is planning to launch a 28-year-old iteration of the same liquid this year.

Method and Madness Finished in Wild Cherry Wood and Acacia Wood

Irish Distillers’ experimental Irish whiskey label Method and Madness added two new expressions to its range last year.

Described as a “world first” for the category, Method and Madness Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey Finished in Wild Cherry Wood was matured in nine casks made from wild cherry wood, sourced from France, for between seven and four years following a maturation period in ex-Bourbon and Sherry casks.

Meanwhile, Method and Madness Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey Finished in Acacia Wood was rested in acacia wood barrels, also sourced from France, for between one and four years, following time spent in ex-Bourbon and Sherry casks.

Writers’ Tears Double Oak

Writers’ Tears Double Oak is the result of a collaboration between Ireland’s Walsh Whiskey Distillery and the Legaret family in Cognac, France.

The partnership initially saw Walsh Whiskey introduce French oak to its Writers’ Tears portfolio with the release of Writers’ Tears Cognac Cask. French oak-influenced whiskey will now become a permanent feature in the product line-up through the introduction of Double Oak.

Double Oak has been matured in both American and French oak casks, with the American barrels imparting “bolder flavours” such as vanilla, while the French oak influence offers “silky tannins, a light sweetness and fruity flavours”.

Fercullen 18 Years Old

Created by master distiller Noel Sweeney, Fercullen 18 Years Old has been aged in Bourbon barrels.

Tasting notes include aromas of honey, vanilla, almonds, plums and oak wood, leading to flavours of creamy malt, vanilla, ripe fruits, syrupy caramel and spice on the palate. The finish is said to be malty with a long-lasting sweet spice.

The 18-year-old single malt joins the brand’s existing whiskeys: Fercullen 10 Year Old Single Grain Whiskey, Fercullen Premium Blend Irish Whiskey and Fercullen 14 Year Old Single Malt Whiskey.

 JJ Corry The Battalion

Ireland’s Chapel Gate Irish Whiskey Co tapped into the popularity of Tequila and mezcal with the launch of its latest Irish whiskey.

Last May, the Irish whiskey bonder brought out a Tequila and mezcal cask‐finished bottling – a first for the category.

To make JJ Corry the Battalion, Chapel Gate transferred grain whiskey that had been aged in ex‐Bourbon casks into mezcal and Tequila casks, and malt whiskey that had been matured in Bourbon barrels into mezcal casks.

After seven months, the casks were blended in a ratio comprising 60% nine‐year‐old grain whiskey and 40% 13‐year‐old malt whiskey. It was bottled at 41% ABV.

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