You’re not without knowing the Irish Whiskey category is undergoing a certain revival/revolution/rebirth (as media like to call it) those days, giving birth to a burgeoning craft whiskey movement but also exciting new releases coming from the well-established big guys who definitely aren’t willing to let innovation be the priviledge of the smaller distilleries. Something big is happening in Ireland, and it’s happening right now. Trust me, you don’t want to miss the train of new-wave Irish whiskey !
Here’s therefore a list of some new Irish whiskeys you need to try!
Method & Madness Single Pot Still
Perhaps the most intriguing release from the first batch of Midleton’s Method and Madness whiskeys, this is a single pot still expression initially matured in Sherry and bourbon barrels, before enjoying a finishing period in French chestnut! Exciting stuff.
Slane Irish Whiskey is made using whiskeys drawn from a trio of casks – virgin oak casks, seasoned casks (which previously contained Tennessee whiskey and bourbon) and Oloroso Sherry casks. (see my review here!)
Released in March 2017, Roe & Co blended Irish whiskey marks Diageo’s return to the Irish whiskey category having sold Bushmills a couple of years earlier. Roe & Co is bottled at 45% abv without chill filtration and is a blend of single malt and grain whiskeys matured exclusively in bourbon casks (a high proportion of which are first-fill).
The first release in Teeling’s Brabazon Bottling range, which will explore the impact that fortified wine casks have on the flavour profile of Irish whiskey. This initial bottling features whiskey drawn from six Sherry casks, resulting in big ol’ bundles Sherried deliciousness.
A new expression in the Redbreast range, introduced in the latter half of 2016. This single pot still Irish whiskey was initially matured in a combination of American and European oak casks for 9 to 12 years, before being transferred over to first fill Oloroso Sherry casks from Bodegas Lustau for a year.
Writers Tears Cask Strength (2016)
It’s the 2016 edition of Writers Tears Cask Strength Irish whiskey, which has been bottled at 53% ABV. A release of 2,640 bottles. Yummy Irish whiskey that pairs well with fine literature.
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