Walsh Whiskey launches The Irishman – Legacy

Walsh Whiskey is celebrating 700 years of the world’s first written account of the distillation of aqua vitae with the launch of The Irishman – Legacy.

For its latest release, Walsh Whiskey, the whiskey division of Amber Beverage Group (ABG), aged single malt whiskey in Bourbon and Sherry casks, before finishing the expression for 15 months in Châteauneuf-du-Pape wine casks from winemaker Château La Nerthe. The casks were selected by Walsh Whiskey founder and managing director Bernard Walsh, and members of the Kilkenny Whiskey Guild in April 2022.

Bottled at 46% ABV without chill-filtration, The Irishman – Legacy will be priced at RRP €75 (US$82).

The whiskey was unveiled on 28 November at a commemorative event held at St Canice’s Cathedral for 150 guests from the Irish whiskey industry and the Carlow/Kilkenny community.

Walsh said: “We are very proud to partner with the Kilkenny Whiskey Guild to launch this exquisite limited edition from The Irishman in honour of 700 years of whiskey-distilling history.

“Our ethos for The Irishman is ‘Learn from the past. Create the future’, so we have created this Legacy edition as both a celebration of how far our industry has come and our excitement for our future within it.

“As the home of The Red Book of Ossory, with Walsh Whiskey as creators of The Irishman located nearby, it is only right that we share this first with the people of Kilkenny before sharing it with the world through our global release in 2024.”

Tasting notes for the new expression include aromas of red and black fruits, hints of oak and leather. The taste is said to deliver peach sweetness, hints of chocolate, bay leaf, and a creamy mouth feel.

It is available to buy via The Loop in Dublin Airport as well as in Kilkenny.

Eddie Langton, co-chairperson of the Kilkenny Whiskey Guild, commented: “We are delighted to have worked on the development of The Irishman – Legacy with Bernard and all at Walsh Whiskey from the start. This included visiting Château La Nerthe in Châteauneuf-du-Pape and sampling the whiskey as it aged through the finishing process.”

Jim Rafferty, co-chairperson of the Kilkenny Whiskey Guild, added: “The Irishman – Legacy honours Kilkenny’s wonderful 700-year history with distillation and our commitment to excellence in helping visitors to our city explore what Irish whiskey has to offer. Fittingly, until it is released globally, the only places this unique whiskey will be poured for the public are in the 10 establishments of the Guild.”

In October this year, ABG revealed plans to build a €35 million Walsh Whiskey distillery.