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Irish Distillers Awarded 183 Medals In 2021!

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183 individual medals from the world’s leading taste and design competitions in 2021!

Irish Distillers is celebrating yet another outstanding awards season after being honoured with 183 individual medals from the world’s leading taste and design competitions in 2021!

The impressive haul of medals, an increase of 11 medals versus 2020, includes several of the top accolades in the Irish Whiskey Category for the distillers’ diverse portfolio.

Midleton Very Rare Dair Ghaleach Knockrath Forest

Testament to the quality and craftsmanship of the world’s best loved Irish whiskey, Jameson Irish Whiskey, which enjoyed sales of 8.6 million cases globally in 2020/2021, was awarded a Double Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and Gold at the International Spirits Challenge.

Jameson Black Barrel, achieved recognition across the board, taking home Gold Outstanding (98 points) at the International Wine and Spirit Competition and winning the overall trophy for Best Irish Whiskey at the International Spirits Challenge, while Jameson Bow Street 18 Years achieved a Platinum Medal (96 points) at the Beverage Tasting Institute.

Redbreast continued its legacy as the world’s most decorated single pot still Irish whiskey, securing 29 medals of Gold and above, including a Platinum Medal and a top score of 100, for Redbreast 27 Year Old from the Beverage Tasting Institute. Redbreast also won the coveted Chairman’s Trophy (98 points) for its much-acclaimed 12 Year Old Cask Strength. Elsewhere, the Redbreast range collected six Master medals at The Irish Whiskey Masters, while Redbreast 21 Year Old was crowned the World’s Best Pot Still at the World Whisky Awards.

Jameson Black Barrel

Further reinforcing Midleton Very Rare’s standing as the pinnacle of Irish whiskey, Midleton Very Rare Dair Ghaleach Knockrath Forest was awarded a Double Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and named the Best Pure Pot Still Irish Whiskey. The range’s only permanent expression, Midleton Very Rare Barry Crockett Legacy, also achieved high praise including Gold Outstanding (98 points) at the International Wine & Spirits Competition.

The innovative and exemplary whiskeys produced by hand at Midleton’s Micro Distillery were also recognised with the METHOD AND MADNESS collection winning five Double Golds at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and two Master Medals at the Irish Whiskey Masters – the highest accolade at the competition.

Jameson

The iconic Powers collection, which celebrated its 230th anniversary this year, was recognised by a multitude of award bodies for both its distinctive distillate flavour and bold design. Powers Three Swallow and Powers John’s Lane both achieved Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, while John’s Lane also took home a Design & Packaging Master following the brand’s bold redesign, which was described by judges as eye-catching and prominent.

Last but not least, the return of Blue Spot to the historic Spot Family was warmly received by judges across the globe, winning five Gold medals and above and a prestigious spot in the Ultimate Spirits Challenge Top 100 Spirits list. The other expressions in the range were equally decorated, including a Double Gold for Green Spot at the San Francisco Spirits Competition, Gold for Red Spot at the International Spirits Challenge and a Master for Yellow Spot at the Irish Whiskey Masters.

Master Distiller Kevin O’Gorman

It has been another tremendous season across the portfolio, and we are beyond proud to see so many of our whiskeys securing several of the top accolades in the Irish Whiskey Category.

The Jameson family continues to excite and delight whiskey fans across the globe with its smooth taste and signature DNA, while our prestige portfolio continues to solidify Irish Whiskey’s standing as a luxury spirit on the world stage.

These awards demonstrate the dynamism of the category – from reimagined heritage brands such as The Spot Range and Powers – to innovative whiskeys from Redbreast, to METHOD AND MADNESS with distillate experimentation such as Rye and Malt and our Midleton Very Rare Dair Ghaleach series, which showcase wood experimentation and maturation.

These achievements are a testament to my colleagues at Midleton Distillery who work tirelessly to apply their knowledge and passion to produce whiskeys of unrivalled quality.
– Kevin O’Gorman: Master Distiller at Irish Distillers

Irish Distillers Announce Major Redevelopment Of Their Distillery Experience & Visitor Attraction!

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Midleton Distillery will be transformed into a world-class, multi-sensory whiskey experience!



The ambitious redevelopment plan will deliver new whiskey tours and experiences as well as new shopping, bar, café and restaurant facilities.

Once completed, Midleton Distillery will be transformed into a world-class, multi-sensory whiskey experience destination with the potential to attract over 200,000 visitors annually.

Construction on the new experience will begin immediately and is expected to be completed by 2025 which is the 200-year anniversary of Midleton Distillery.

The redevelopment will feature a heat recovery system, meaning that excess energy from the production of world-renowned Irish whiskeys onsite at Midleton Distillery will be used to heat the buildings.

Guided tours and experiences will continue during the redevelopment.

Irish Distillers has announced details of a €13 million investment plan which will see the redevelopment of its distillery experience at Midleton Distillery, Co. Cork, transforming the attraction into a world-class whiskey destination!

Midleton Distillery is the beating heart of Irish whiskey and home to some of the world’s most well-known and successful Irish whiskeys, including Jameson, Powers, Redbreast, Midleton Very Rare, the Spot family and Method and Madness, as well as the Irish Whiskey Academy, Irish Distillers’ Archive and the Micro Distillery.

Guided tours and experiences will continue during the redevelopment

As part of the plan, the existing attraction will be completely transformed to accommodate new and interactive whiskey tours and various tasting experiences, offering visitors the opportunity to explore more about the past, present and future of Irish whiskey production at Midleton Distillery. The redevelopment will also deliver state-of-the-art new shopping, bar, café and restaurant facilities.

In order to ensure that visitors receive the same great experience while construction is ongoing, an alternative purpose-built Irish whiskey attraction will continue to welcome visitors during the redevelopment. Construction will commence immediately and is expected be completed by 2025, in time to mark the 200-year anniversary of Midleton Distillery.

Over the past 30 years, Midleton Distillery has become synonymous with Irish whiskey tourism, welcoming more than three million visitors from countries all over the world to our home in East Cork. At Irish Distillers, we are always looking towards the future of Irish whiskey, which is why we are delighted to announce our plans for the redevelopment of the distillery experience at Midleton. Our ambition is to deliver an exceptional, world-class experiential offering which will bring whiskey lovers closer to the production process than ever before.

These exciting plans will ensure that the distillery experience offers visitors a unique insight into the whiskeys produced at Midleton Distillery in exceptionally beautiful and engaging surroundings. We are confident that we can further build upon the appeal of Midleton Distillery for both domestic and international visitors, cementing its position as one of the top tourism attractions in Ireland while supporting jobs and economic growth in the East Cork region.

As we are committed to preserving and maintaining the beauty of the original distillery buildings, many of which date back to 1794, our redevelopment plan is centred around the conservation and restoration of existing structures, while transforming our visitor attraction to accommodate new and interactive whiskey tours and exciting tasting experiences.

The redevelopment will therefore marry the old and the new, making improvements and upgrades to preserve the fabric of these buildings, all of which will ultimately contribute to an immersive and unique visitor experience.
– Conor McQuaid: Chairman and CEO

The ambitious redevelopment plan will deliver new whiskey tours and experiences as well as new shopping, bar, café and restaurant facilities

Every element of the redevelopment has been planned with sustainability and efficiency in mind. The new visitor experience will feature a specially designed heat recovery system, meaning that excess energy from the production of world-renowned Irish whiskeys onsite in Midleton will be used to heat the buildings.

The introduction of the heat recovery system is predicted to reduce carbon emissions by nearly 200,000 KGs of CO2 per year, in line with Irish Distillers’ sustainability goals. Additionally, the switch to LED lighting throughout– close to 1,000 bulbs – will ensure a reduction in electricity consumption of +90 percent compared to existing usage.

New York headquartered Ralph Appelbaum Associates (RAA), who have specialist experience in the planning and design of cultural attractions around the world, will lead the design of the redevelopment project.

PJ Hegarty & Sons are delighted to be appointed as contractor to undertake this prestigious project on behalf of Irish Distillers and we look forward to working closely with the team in Midleton to deliver their vision.
– PJ Hegarty & Sons: Conservation and construction contractor

Midleton Very Rare Dair Ghaelach “Kylebeg Wood” Released Today!

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Midleton Very Rare Dair Ghaelach collection – “Kylebeg Wood”

Irish Distillers has introduced the fourth release in the Midleton Very Rare Dair Ghaelach collection – “Kylebeg Wood”, a remarkable addition that can arguably boast the series’ most significant support of the conservation of oak woodlands yet, as well as adding another important chapter for the pinnacle of Irish whiskey!

For the fourth instalment of the Dair Ghaelach series, which translates simply as ‘Irish oak’, Midleton’s Masters worked with the guardians of Kylebeg Wood on the Ballykilcavan Estate near Stradbally, Co. Laois, to carefully select the seven trees that would be used to create the finest virgin Irish oak hogsheads in which to mature some of their most exquisite whiskeys.

Midleton Very Rare Dair Ghaelach Kylebeg Wood is available globally now!

Further reinforcing Midleton’s provenance and standing as a true taste of Ireland, the result is a liquid imbued with the unique fingerprint of Kylebeg Wood and a spellbinding new take on the Dair Ghaelach series.

With each bottling traceable to a single tree, Midleton Very Rare Kylebeg Wood offers a range of seven whiskeys bottled at cask strengths ranging from 55.4%-56.1% ABV, all with the hallmark inspiration of fragrant woodland spices and a heightened intensity of rich wood tannins that allow the influence of the Irish oak to linger on the palate until the very end.

Irish Distillers’ partnership with Kylebeg Wood is the ultimate example of how we are collaborating with Ireland’s forestry custodians to marry sustainable Irish oak with the highest standards in forestry practice and conservation, with some of the finest craftsmanship to be found anywhere in the world of whiskey.

Once harvested from Kylebeg Wood, the resulting oak logs were separately packed and shipped to the Spanish region of Galicia and the Maderbar Sawmills in Barralla where, for more than fifty years, the same family has been working with wood. Here the oak was cut, using the time-honoured craft of quarter sawing before the resulting stave wood made the ten-hour journey from the sawmills to the Antonio Paez Lobato cooperage in Jerez, where they were laid out to dry naturally in the warmth of the Spanish sun.

It took fifteen more months before these oak staves were ready to create 42 of the most special casks to be found anywhere in the world, each was then given a light toast to my own specifications before returning from Spain to be filled with a specially selected range of our finest Single Pot Still whiskeys, previously matured in American oak barrels for between thirteen to twenty-five years.
– Kevin O’Gorman: Master Distiller

Nosed and tasted every month for a further fifteen months, Kevin O’Gorman, Master Blender Billy Leighton, and Blender David McCabe kept a vigilant watch on the barrels before the resulting liquid was deemed to have struck a perfect balance with Midleton’s hallmark Single Pot Still character.

Seven whiskeys bottled at cask strengths ranging from 55.4%-56.1% ABV, all boasting fragrant woodland spices and rich woody notes!

The first Single Pot Still Irish whiskey to be matured in Irish oak from County Laois, Midleton Very Rare Kylebeg Wood is as individual as it is irresistible, and a whiskey that is as satisfyingly Irish as it is undeniably elegant.
– Kevin

Part of a carefully curated felling programme, the space created through the felling of the trees used to create Midleton Very Rare Kylebeg Wood hogsheads has allowed light to once again meet the forest floor. Now a new generation of saplings, planted following the felling, rise to take their place in the canopy above.

This method of forest management, that is practiced in Kylebeg Wood has contributed to the reappearance of the pine marten to the Laois countryside. This in turn has impacted the alien grey squirrel and helped the native red squirrel, which had practically vanished from the local area.

Situated amidst rolling fields of barley, the native Irish woodland on the Ballykilcavan Estate has been managed carefully and in tune with nature by the Walsh-Kemmis family for thirteen generations since 1639,

Kylebeg Wood – or ‘An Choill Bheag’ in the Irish language – translates as ‘the little wood’, and it was in this little wood that native Irish oak was planted in 1820 to replace trees that were felled for shipbuilding during the Napoleonic Wars.

Today, through an Irish Distillers sponsored monitoring system we use a ‘close to nature’ forest management system in line with international best practice (as assessed using the AFI Protocol*) ensuring sustainable management of our majestic Irish oak.
– Paddy Purser: forest manager and consultant, who worked closely with the Midleton team on the project

Midleton Very Rare Dair Ghaelach Kylebeg Wood is available globally now, RRP: €310 per 70cl

Midleton Very Rare Dair Ghaelach Kylebeg Wood Tasting Notes

Nose: Fragrant woodland spices with notes of cinnamon and nutmeg to the fore accompanied by aromatic oils and dried, earthy undertones. The classic pot still spices build over time working in tandem with delicate hints of nectarine to create a zesty fruit note with light dustings of white pepper. Additional aromas of dairy fudge and vanilla with a rich nutty character further accentuate the sweet and savoury nature of this wonderfully complex whiskey.

Taste: Fortified by the Irish Oak, the pot still spices lead with a heightened intensity thanks to the rich wood tannins before subsiding to reveal velvety tones of caramel with sweet stewed apple and touches of orange peel. Dark chocolate with subtle notes of honeycomb and vanilla weave amongst the spices, fruits and oak adding further complexity and intrigue.

Finish: Delightfully long finish with the fruits and spices slowly fading, allowing the Irish Oak to linger until the very end.

About Irish Distillers and AFI*

Committed to giving back to nature and nurturing a sustainable environment for Kylebeg Wood, Irish Distillers has supported an internationally recognised protocol for monitoring forest growth and management called the AFI* protocol. 

Kylebeg Wood is one of over 100 forests across western Europe that are similarly monitored.  Under this protocol, the forest is assessed every five years in terms of its sustainability, productivity and ecology.  The objective is to learn about how the forest develops over time and responds to different management interventions. 

It is intended that this will be used as a demonstration and measurement of best oak forest management practice in Ireland and is also an investment in the long-term development and production of coopering grade oak in Ireland. 

*AFI stands for Association Futaie Irrégulière which means Association of Irregular Forestry

Irish Distillers Plays Host To The Three Drinkers’ At The Home Of Irish Whiskeys!

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The Three Drinkers’ – Helena, Aidy & Beth Action

The Three Drinkers’ award-winning TV series returns to screens next year as Irish Distillers plays host to presenters Aidy Smith, Helena Nicklin and third drinker guest, Beth Brickenden in Midleton, the home of some of the world’s more renowned Irish whiskeys.

‘The Three Drinkers in Ireland’ will air globally on Amazon Prime from February 2022. Throughout the series drinks journalists and broadcasters Smith and Nicklin, the famous pair behind The Three Drinkers, will be joined by a diverse roster of guest stars who become ‘the third drinker’ as they explore the very best of Irish gastro-tourism.

The episode will air globally on Amazon Prime from February 2022

The road-trip travelogue will see The Three Drinkers travel the length of Ireland, from Sligo to Cork, while scoping out famous landmarks, breath-taking scenery, characterful locals and the must-visit food and drink destinations from distilleries to country pubs.

The Three Drinkers’ Irish adventure culminates in an exploration of the rich history of Irish whiskey, with a trip to Midleton Distillery (episode 3). During the episode Nicklin visits Old Midleton Distillery – built in 1825 and now home to the Jameson Distillery visitor experience – to interview fifth generation Master Cooper Ger Buckley about Irish Distillers’ rich heritage.

Just a stone’s throw across the site Distiller Katherine Condon walks Smith and Brickenden through New Midleton Distillery where Ireland’s most loved whiskeys, including Jameson, Redbreast, Midleton Very Rare, Powers and the Spot Range, have been produced since 1975. The episode explores the innovative styles and maturation methods Irish Distillers have developed in recent years, most famously in their on-site innovation hub, home to the METHOD AND MADNESS brand, as they continue to lead the global Irish whiskey renaissance.

Working alongside The Three Drinkers to bring this project to life has been a wonderful experience. Irish Distillers has a long and diverse history intrinsically linked to Ireland and its people and it’s been a joy to rediscover some of those stories as we’ve filmed.

We look forward to sharing our story with viewers across the globe.
– Katherine Condon: Distiller

Finally at Tourin House, home of the Jameson sisters, Master Distiller Kevin O’Gorman and Kristin Jameson relay the story and significance of the historic 1966 meeting which brought Jameson, Powers and Cork Distillers together to begin a new exciting chapter in annals of Irish whiskey.

Midleton Distillery 2021

Away from whiskey the series also explores a variety of Irish drinks brands from cider to poitin, delving into the unique stories and people which bring each of them to life. The Three Drinkers in Ireland aims to bring viewers a 360° taste of Ireland.

We’ve loved bringing everything together for this new series from the food and drink to the people, places, culture and tourism of the whole of the island of Ireland. We’ve been blown away by the sheer quality of Irish produce too – it really is world class.

Ireland is also the perfect country to visit as the world opens up again, thanks to its wide-open spaces and easy accessibility, plus it’s a great location for lovers of fantastic food and drink to boot.
– Helena Nicklin: Presenter

This will be the second Three Drinkers TV series for Smith and Nicklin who also produce the popular ‘Bring a Bottle’ podcast, run the drink, travel and lifestyle-focused online magazine thethreedrinkers.com and have a growing social media/influencer presence.

Their first Three Drinkers series, ‘The Three Drinkers do Scotch Whisky’, aired on Amazon Prime in 2019 and is still streaming in over 170 countries (in 39 languages) as well as being broadcast in China and on various airlines including British Airways and Lufthansa.

Still Time! Watch The Video To Celebrate ‘Robin Redbreast Day’ & Raise Money For The Common Bird!

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Robin Redbreast & Chris O’Dowd!

Redbreast Irish Whiskey has launched ‘Robin Redbreast Day’ a global date in the calendar year designed to raise awareness of the brand’s mission to help keep the common birds common. To kick off its first year, Redbreast has teamed up with the renowned Irish actor and Redbreast fan, Chris O’Dowd, to create a humourous video that will help raise funds to support the brand’s charity partner, BirdLife International!

Redbreast Irish Whiskey is inviting everyone to get involved in its global initiative by simply watching the 60 second clip on social media. For every view the video receives, 25 cents will be donated to BirdLife International to help continue its commitment of keeping the robin and other common birds safe for future generations.

Redbreast Irish Whiskey will also be releasing its limited edition 12-year-old bottle which features an intricately-designed copper casing that transforms into a bird feeder!

Set in a beautiful cocktail bar, the spot sees the actor and the brand’s iconic mascot, #RobinRedbreast, discussing Chris’ fear of heights as he contemplates living his life as a common bird. Robin Redbreast quickly gets things back on track to announce why the pair have come together to raise awareness of BirdLife International, revealing just how simple it is to get involved.

I am really excited to be supporting Robin Redbreast Day. Common birds all over the world are facing serious issues that we need to come together and solve, so I’m encouraging everyone to watch and share the video across social media to get as many eyes on it as possible.

BirdLife International does amazing work supporting common birds, so the more donations we’re able to raise the better!
– Chris O’Dowd

Entering the second year of its ‘keeping common birds common’ initiative, Redbreast continues to support the conservation and welfare of birds and their habitats across the globe and is proud to be extending its partnership with BirdLife International for another year. Robin Redbreast Day will take place every year on the second Friday of November – the month that sees robins start to prepare for winter – encouraging whiskey-lovers to annually raise a glass to their feathered friends.

We are thrilled to be partnering with BirdLife International for another year. We hope that Robin Redbreast Day becomes an annual occasion across the world for people to come together to support the common birds. We wanted to create an easy, accessible way for people to participate and raise funds – and what’s more fun than sharing and watching a video with friends.

We think Chris O’Dowd’s Irish humour and creativity is the perfect fit to help us spread the message – and we hope Redbreast fans enjoy it as much as we do!
– Brendan Buckley: Global Marketing Director at Irish Distillers

Following on from last year’s success, Redbreast Irish Whiskey will also be releasing its limited edition 12-year-old bottle which features an intricately-designed copper casing that transforms into a bird feeder. The limited edition bottle will be made available across nine markets including the UK, Ireland and the US, as well as through Global Travel Retail.

With so many birds around the globe threatened, the launch of Robin Redbreast Day couldn’t have come at a better time. We hope the day spreads awareness of the simple, yet important, things we must all do to help protect birds and their habitats whilst also raising vital funds.

We’re pleased to have Chris O’Dowd on board to help us spread the word and we are also very excited to see the return of the bird feeder, which created a huge buzz last year! Feeding birds is a contribution everyone can make to their survival.
– Patricia Zurita: CEO, BirdLife International

Redbreast Irish Whiskey is on a mission to raise up to €100,000 through its Robin Redbreast Day initiatives for its global partner, BirdLife International. Up to €70,000 will be raised through the sales of the limited edition bird feeder bottle and up to €30,000 will be raised from the video content views across social media.

Jameson Launches Limited Edition 21 Year Old Whiskey!

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Limited edition Jameson 21 Years is set to join the family!
Photo: Eoin Holland – www.eoinholland.com

Jameson is signing off 2021 in style with the introduction of an exceptional limited-edition release to the world’s favourite Irish whiskey range. 2,301 bottles of Jameson 21 Years will be available for whiskey fans to purchase via an online ballot to mark the end of the year!

Taking its place at the head of the family, Jameson 21 Years is a blend of rare single pot still and single grain Irish whiskeys that were initially matured in a range of ex-bourbon and oloroso sherry seasoned casks at the Midleton Distillery for 18 years. Following on from that initial period of maturation, these whiskeys were then blended and re-casked into freshly emptied ex-bourbon barrels for an additional three years.

The incredibly rare Jameson 21 Years will be exclusively available to consumers through two separate online ballots!
Photo: Eoin Holland – www.eoinholland.com

After a long and complex maturation journey, these casks were then finally married with additional pot still whiskeys that had fully matured for over 21 years in first fill oloroso sherry seasoned wine casks. The final inclusion of these sherry casks add balance to the American oak contribution of toffee and dairy fudge, by delivering a heightened dried fruit intensity and extra layer of pot still spices.

Bottled at cask strength 57.2% ABV, the result is a spicy and full-bodied whiskey with a rich sherry contribution that brings dried fruit notes and character to the fore, whilst retaining a clear reference to Jameson’s unmistakably smooth DNA.

Following an outstanding awards season for the Jameson family, including Jameson 18 Years Bow Street being awarded a Platinum Medal at the 2021 Beverage Tasting Institute, it seemed fitting that we should further mark this success with the launch of an extra special release.

This delicious whiskey embodies the craft and creativity for which Jameson has always been renowned. With such a limited quantity available, we have decided to release the expression via an online ballot which is the fairest way to offer fans of Jameson the chance to get their hands on a bottle of this extra special expression.
– Kevin O’Gorman: Jameson Master Distiller

The incredibly rare Jameson 21 Years will be exclusively available to consumers through two separate online ballots at an RRP of €310

The first ballot will open to members of Barrel Club Midleton Distillery at 2pm Irish Saving Time (IST) on Wednesday 10th November and the second ballot will open to all other whiskey fans at 2pm (IST) on Thursday 11th of November. Applicants will have until 6pm (IST) on Wednesday 17th November to enter the ballot, with shipping to successful whiskey fans taking place from late November.

For your chance to purchase this showstopping bottle of Jameson 21 Years and to enter the ballot, head to this URL to sign up now!

Terms and conditions

Tasting notes by Master Distiller Kevin O’Gorman:

Nose: Rich in wood spices with sweet notes of toffee and dairy fudge, while the dried fruits add extra layers of flavour with hints of dates and fig, all wonderfully in balance with the intensity of the pot still spices and floral grain notes.

Taste: Robust and complex with cinnamon and nutmeg spice to the fore accompanied by the oak’s soft tannins and silky nature of the pot still spirit. Dark berry fruits work in tandem with sweet vanilla and chocolate creating a medley of flavours intertwined with a sherry nuttiness and gentle touches of leather.

Finish: Lingering finish with the fruits slowly fading into the background, leaving the oak and spices have the final say.

Jameson Unveils “Black Barrel Proof” – 50% ABV – And Available In Time For Christmas!

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Jameson Black Barrel!

Hot on the heels of its recent ‘Best Irish Whiskey’ trophy at the 2021 International Spirits Challenge, Jameson is launching a 50% ABV, or 100-proof, limited edition of its triple-distilled Black Barrel whiskey – great to gift (and even better to keep) this Christmas!

Jameson Black Barrel Proof is made from pot still and grain whiskey matured in a combination of American oak, sherry casks and double charred ex-bourbon barrels to give an even deeper flavour experience.

Uniquely, this expression will be bottled at 50% ABV and without chill filtration. The result is a rich, smooth expression that showcases the benefit that the tradition of barrel charring can add to the world’s favourite Irish whiskey.

Uniquely, this expression will be bottled at 50% ABV and without chill filtration!

Jameson Black Barrel is a triple distilled blend of our small batch grain and traditional single pot still Irish whiskey and boasts a robust spiciness, with flavours of butterscotch and fudge.

Paying tribute to the cooper’s skill, maturing a portion of our whiskey in double charred barrels brings out sweet and spicy characteristics in abundance as it penetrates deeper into the charred oak.

Like every family, Jameson is made up of individual characters with their own distinct personalities. Bottling Jameson Black Barrel at a higher strength is a great way to accentuate the already beloved characteristics of this unique whiskey to create a totally new experience for whiskey enthusiasts.

So, if a full strength whiskey that’s bursting with aromas of toffee and fudge, complemented by a spicy character and a rich vanilla finish, sounds like it’s for you – or maybe even for someone you know – then you’ll find that Black Barrel Proof is a great addition to the Jameson family this Christmas. Slainte!
– Kevin O’Gorman: Irish Distillers’ Master Distiller

Set to appeal to whiskey fans seeking to explore a more intense flavour experience this Christmas, the limited-edition release of Jameson Black Barrel Proof will be available online at JamesonWhiskey.com and via select outlets in Ireland and at Dublin Airport from early November at RRP of €60

Best served in a cocktail or maybe over ice, but always with friends!

Tasting notes by Master Distiller Kevin O’Gorman:

Nose: Butterscotch sweetness and creamy, toffee, fudge aroma.
Taste: Rich smooth taste with a deep intensity and dialled up spicy notes, complemented by vanilla sweetness.
Finish: Smooth and rich finish with a hint of vanilla lingering on the palate.

Jameson Products are also available to buy from these Merchants:-

Bushmills Launches “The Causeway Collection” Madeira & Port Casks!

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The Causeway Collection!

Bushmills has launched The Causeway Collection 1991 Madeira Cask and The Causeway Collection 2000 Port Cask!

Only 2,322 bottles of the red gold 2000 Port Cask are available with an RSP of £260, while just 738 bottles of the highly sought after, antique gold coloured 1991 Madeira Cask will be going on sale, priced at £695, making these exceptionally rare casks a dream to gift and better to own!

George the Poet Mpanga enjoying The Bushmills® Irish Whiskey Causeway Collection!

The Causeway Collection hits the right flavour notes for someone who knows their whiskey craft. The Causeway Collection of rare, limited edition Irish single malt releases is inspired by the natural wonder and mythical tales of the UNESCO World Heritage site the Giant’s Causeway.

Just a stone’s throw from Old Bushmills Distillery the Giant’s Causeway has been a source of inspiration to Bushmills’ Master Distillers for centuries. The Causeway’s extraordinary hexagonal columns, each unique but perfectly locked together, much like the unique and extremely rare casks of Irish single malt selected to create The Causeway Collection.

Bushmills rich heritage in craftmanship and storytelling inspired George the Poet (pictured above) to write ‘Singular Tales’, an ode to Bushmills and the joy of sharing stories whilst enjoying an award winning Irish single malt.

The Causeway Collection 1991 Madeira Cask

For the Irish single malt whiskey collector in your life!

The Causeway Collection 1991 Madeira Cask is aged for over 13 years in a mix of oloroso sherry butts and bourbon barrels before going through an unrivalled maturation period of 15 years in first-fill Madeira casks. The resulting Irish single malt is rich with a deep, sweet, fruity character and overtones of creamy pralines and black coffee, ideal for sipping in front of the fire.

This is the perfect gift for luxury Irish single malt collectors – it’s made to be enjoyed too of course!

Stockist: The Whisky Shop exclusive

ABV: 50.2%

RSP: £695

The Causeway Collection 2000 Port Cask

Looking for something extremely rare and different?

Available from the beginning of November, The Causeway Collection 2000 Port Cask is an unparalleled Irish single malt having spent its entire life in rare first-fill ruby port casks. After an incredible 20 year maturation in wine casks from Portugal, this whiskey is imbued with big, bold and luscious red fruit flavours.

The fortified port wine cask adds waves of sweet, caramelised toffee notes, balanced by a hint of sweet chilli making for an ideal after dinner, creamy Christmas treat!

Stockist: Master of Malt and The Whisky Exchange

ABV: 54.1%

RSP: £260

Sampling Redbreast Pedro Ximénez Edition – Intense Flavours That Take ALL The Flavour Awards!

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Redbreast Pedro Ximénez Edition

Redbreast Pedro Ximénez Edition has recently been released as the first new release to celebrate Redbreast’s deep ties to the peninsula’s finest cooperages and wine makers!

Redbreast Irish Whiskey, produced by Irish Distillers at Midleton Distillery, has unveiled a new collection of whiskeys. The Iberian Series celebrates the brand’s long-standing connection to some of the Iberian Peninsula’s most celebrated cooperages and winemakers.

Redbreast Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey Pedro Ximénez Edition is bottled at 46% ABV and without chill-filtration

The first limited edition release to join the series, Redbreast Pedro Ximénez Edition is a single pot still Irish whiskey, triple distilled and initially matured in ex-bourbon and oloroso sherry casks before being re-casked into delectable Pedro Ximénez hogsheads from the southern tip of Spain for a minimum of 12 months.

Just half the size of a standard sherry butt, the increased surface area of the hogshead intensifies the flavour contribution from the Pedro Ximénez-soaked wood, imparting notes of treacle, raisins and orange zest thanks to the sweeter grape variety used in the world renowned sherry.

Crafted to the exacting standards of Irish Distillers Master Blender Billy Leighton and Blender Dave McCabe, Redbreast Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey Pedro Ximénez Edition is bottled at 46% ABV and without chill-filtration.
It is available now in Ireland, the UK, Finland and Global Travel Retail and in the US from November at RRP of €80, £72, $86.

Redbreast has kindly sent me a sample to try. Thanks Redbreast / @IrishDistillers!

So, what did I think? Here are my tasting notes …

Tasting Notes – Redbreast Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey Pedro Ximénez Edition (46%)

Nose: Plump raisins, gorgeous sherry and port notes revealing cane sweetness, toffee and vanilla. Tangy citrus blood oranges with shades of coffee come along later.

Palate: Satisfying syrupy mouthfeel imparting, in large part, the Nose characteristics mentioned above. i.e. plump raisins, sherry, port, cane sweetness, rich toffee vanilla and additionally creamy chocolate.

Finish: Mildly spicy with whispers of wood but it’s the lovely sherried, creamy sweetness et al that really takes centre stage – and all the flavour awards!

Overall: Well Redbreast has done it again! It’s great to hear about production methods etc. but when you get to taste what the differences these methods actually make to the Nose and Palate then these details really start to make sense.

One particular line stands out to me:
“Just half the size of a standard sherry butt, the increased surface area of the hogshead intensifies the flavour contribution from the Pedro Ximénez-soaked wood, imparting notes of treacle, raisins and orange zest thanks to the sweeter grape variety used in the world renowned sherry.”

Oh how this is so true – intense flavours rich beyond measure!

Many thanks to Redbreast (@IrishDistillers) for such award-winning samples!

Redbreast Whiskey is also available to buy from these online Merchants:-

Redbreast Pedro Ximénez Edition Released – Part Of The “Iberian Series” From Irish Distillers!

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The Iberian Series From Redbreast!

Redbreast Pedro Ximénez Edition has been revealed as the first new release to celebrate Redbreast’s deep ties to the peninsula’s finest cooperages and wine makers!

Redbreast Irish Whiskey, produced by Irish Distillers at Midleton Distillery, has unveiled a new collection of whiskeys. The Iberian Series celebrates the brand’s long-standing connection to some of the Iberian Peninsula’s most celebrated cooperages and winemakers.

The Iberian Series celebrates the brand’s long-standing connection to some of the Iberian Peninsula’s most celebrated cooperages and winemakers.

Redbreast Pedro Ximénez Edition will join the award-winning Lustau Edition in the inaugural Redbreast Iberian Series line up in yet another stunning example from Midleton’s skilled whiskey makers of how Ireland and Iberia’s rich heritages, as the purveyors of some the world’s finest spirits and wines, can combine to create whiskeys that are truly extraordinary.

The first limited edition release to join the series, Redbreast Pedro Ximénez Edition is a single pot still Irish whiskey, triple distilled and initially matured in ex-bourbon and oloroso sherry casks before being re-casked into delectable Pedro Ximénez hogsheads from the southern tip of Spain for a minimum of 12 months.

Just half the size of a standard sherry butt, the increased surface area of the hogshead intensifies the flavour contribution from the Pedro Ximénez-soaked wood, imparting notes of treacle, raisins and orange zest thanks to the sweeter grape variety used in the world renowned sherry.

Redbreast Lustau Edition – launched in 2016 to critical acclaim around the globe – will remain the anchor expression in the Redbreast Iberian Series and will be joined by a new Limited Edition release from time to time.

Iberia has been central to the history of Redbreast, and my colleagues and I have been visiting the peninsula since the 1980s. The close relationships fostered there over decades have led to many delightful discoveries that take the region’s influence on our whiskey to another level, while sitting comfortably within the Redbreast family.

It gives me great pleasure that the new Iberian Series gives us an outlet to bring our best discoveries to consumers around the world. The collection will add new and exciting chapters to the Redbreast Family story with whiskeys finished in casks sourced from the sun-drenched bodegas of Spain and Portugal, suffused with the natural warmth and sweetness of the Iberian Peninsula.
– Billy Leighton: Master Blender

Available in Ireland from 27th September, in the UK, Finland and Global Travel Retail from late September, and in the US from November at RRP of €80, £72, $86!

The creation of the Redbreast Pedro Ximénez Edition came about thanks to strong relationships and good fortune. A number of years ago, our friends in Antonio Páez Lobato Cooperage in Jerez presented us with an exceptional opportunity to trial casks which had been pre-seasoned with Pedro Ximénez sherry for two years.

Finding that the wood contributed a very different flavour profile to the traditional Spanish sherry cask, we finished our Redbreast whiskey in these hogsheads for between 12 and 22 months, adding a distinctive twist to the signature Redbreast character.

Underpinned by the much loved Redbreast Lustau Edition, each subsequent expression in this series will represent a new chapter in exploring the casks, flavours and aromas from this region.
– Dave McCabe: Blender at Irish Distillers

Crafted to the exacting standards of Irish Distillers Master Blender Billy Leighton and Blender Dave McCabe, Redbreast Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey Pedro Ximénez Edition is bottled at 46% ABV and without chill-filtration.
It will be available in Ireland from 27th September, in the UK, Finland and Global Travel Retail from late September, and in the US from November at RRP of €80, £72, $86.

Redbreast Whiskey is also available to buy from these online Merchants:-

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