Cooper’s Irish Whiskies
Our second blog this month features history and information all of the Irish Whiskies you can find in the store. Enjoy!
What’s Up With Single Malts?
A Single Malt Whiskey is the product of one specific distillery and has not been mixed with whisky from any other distilleries. Most Irish malt whiskey has traditionally found its way into blended whiskeys thus it is rare to find Irish malt whiskey bottled in its pure form. Irish Single Malts are more complex and character then their blended Irish cousins due to their rich malty flavours and have smoothness and an absence of smoky characteristics associated with Scotch Single Malts. Irish single malts have emerged as a fast growing premium segment of the whiskey market.
Knappogue 12 year Single Malt
A historic Irish landmark, Knappogue Castle was built in 1467 by the MacNamara clan as a defense against the invading Normans. After being vacant for centuries, Lavone Dickensheets Andrews, a Texas architect, and her husband Mark began restoring the castle in 1966. While Lavone supervised the grueling restoration process, Mark began collecting casks of fine Irish whiskey. Over time, he amassed an impressive and rare collection of pure pot still whiskey produced at the B. Daly Distillery, and when it reached its ideal maturity, it was bottled and named after the castle.
Triple distilled in copper pot stills, then aged in bourbon oak casks for twelve years, Knappogue Castle 12 Year Old is a mellow, well rounded single malt. The nose offers rich, malty notes of grain which are accented by hints of pepper and spice. The palate is balanced, focused and smooth, with complex flavors of brown sugar, vanilla, oak and marzipan backed by elegant fruit notes. F. Paul Pacult considers this release “one of the best Knappogue Castle bottlings to date” and an “excellent value”.
Sale Price: $44.98
Tyrconnell Single Malt
In the Northwest of Ireland lies an ancient Gaelic kingdom called Tyrconnell when translated from Gaelic means “The Land of O’Donnell”. The O’Donnell’s were one of the most powerful Gaelic noble families right up to colonization and reined the ancient kingdom, which is now County Donegal, until 1701. The territory is famous for its distilling tradition.
One of the oldest distilleries in the region established in 1762 by the Watt family and is reputed to be the first distillery in the world to install a patent still was Andrew A. Watt Distillery. The Watt’s flagship brand was the world famous “The Tyrconnell” Pure Pot Still Single Malt Irish Whiskey. Tyrconnell is distilled by the award winning Cooley distillery who have been the driving force behind the Irish Single Malt evolution.
Sale Price $34.98
So what’s up with the race horse on the label? In 1876 the Watt family entered a horse, a Chestnut Colt, appropriately named “The Tyrconnell” in the Irish Classic horse race “The National Produce Stakes”. Incredibly it won at 100 to 1. This spectacular achievement inspired the Watt Distillery to celebrate the occasion with a special commemorative Tyrconnell label, which remains to this day.
For a more in depth look and history go to: http://www.tyrconnellwhiskey.com/_heritage/watts_distillery.asp
More Tyrconnell Whiskies:
Tyrconnell 10yr Madeira Finished
Tyrconnell Madeira Cask Finish Whiskey is finished in used madeira casks (madeira is a type of fortified Portuguese wine). The madeira casks add notes of sweet toffee, citrus and honey to the whiskey, and complement its notes of vanilla and caramel. Tyrconnell Madeira Cask Finish Whiskey earned an astounding 98 points from the Beverage Testing Institute, which also gave it the Platinum Medal, calling it simply “superlative.”The whiskey also earned the Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2012.
Sale Price $69.98
Tyrconnell 10yr Sherry Finished
Tyrconnell Sherry Cask Finish Whiskey is finished in used sherry casks for six to eight months. The sherry influence lends notes of raisins and honey to the whiskey, which are complemented by the whiskey’s notes of tobacco, oak and cinnamon. The finish is soft and lingering, with hints of butterscotch and nutty dough. Tyrconnell Sherry Cask Finish Whiskey earned a score of 94 points from Wine Enthusiast Magazine in 2012 and 97 points from the Beverage Testing Institute.
Sale Price $69.98
But wait! There’s more!
Redbreast 12 year 100% Pot Still Redbreast
Made by Irish Distillers Ltd. (IDL) at the “New” Midleton distillery. Irish single pot still whiskey is similar in ethos to single-malt whisky. While the mash bill contains both unmalted and malted barley (usually in a ratio of 60 to 40), unlike single malt, the combination of both is distilled in traditional copper pot stills, which introduce a lot of character into the spirit. What comes about is a whiskey with more weight and viscosity.
Sale Price $64.98
This whiskey is finished in sherry casks.
Midleton Very Rare 2015
This is Ireland’s most exclusive whiskey. Small quantities of the finest distillates are carefully aged to perfection in individually-chosen oak casks. . A limited release, only 50 casks of Midleton are released every year, it really is very rare! The Very Rare series has been enjoyed by Irish whiskey lovers worldwide since 1984!
Every whisky in the blend is triple distilled and between 12 and 25 years of age. This is the 2015 release of Midleton’s excellent Very Rare series, which has enjoyed its maturation exclusively in American oak barrels. As with the 2014 edition, this bottling bares the signature of Brian Nation, who took over the Master Distiller role from the legendary Barry Crockett.
Sale Price $139.98
Bushmill Black Bush
The Old Bushmills Distillery became official in 1784. Hugh Anderson registered the Old Bushmills Distillery and the Pot Still became its registered trade mark. It’s still their mark of genuine distinction today. 1885 Bushmill burns to the ground but is rebuilt. Bushmills Black Bush Irish Whiskey combines a high amount of malt whiskey matured in former Oloroso Sherry casks, with a sweet, batch-distilled grain whiskey.
Sale Price $19.99
Kilbeggan
Named after St Bécán, one of the Twelve Apostles of Ireland who founded a monastery in the area in the 6th century. Smooth and malty. Kilbeggan Traditional Irish Whiskey is produced using hand selected grain and barley. It was double distilled, and utilized a blend from a 180 year old pot still. Kilbeggan which is located on the Brosna River is the oldest distillery in Ireland in operation. It’s located in the town of Kilbeggan in Co, Westmeath.
Aromas of toasted almond are joined by bits of tangerine on the nose of this whiskey. Apricots and other stone fruits are present through the full palate along with a nice dollop of spices and bits of brown sugar. There is a honeyed edge to the finish along with vanilla bean and a final hit of white pepper that brings everything to a tingly and memorable close.
Sale Price $22.98
Jameson Whiskies
When John Jameson, a Scottish businessman, became manager of the Stein family Bow Street Distillery in 1786, it was producing about 30,000 gallons annually. By the turn of the 19th century, it was the second largest producer in Ireland and one of the largest in the world, producing 1,000,000 gallons annually. Dublin at the time was the center of world whiskey production. It was the second most popular spirit in the world after rum and internationally Jameson had by 1805 become the world’s number one whiskey. Today, Jameson is the world’s third largest single-distillery whiskey. Wikipedia.com
Jameson Original
Jameson Original is a blend of pot still and fine grain whiskeys that is as versatile as it is smooth. Triple-distilled and aged for a minimum of 4 years, this is the timeless whiskey that turned our green bottle into an icon.
Sale Price $22.98
Jameson Select Reserve Black Barrel
A limited edition Irish Whiskey that is expertly crafted from two types of whiskey – first, a blend of malted and un-malted barley is distilled in pot stills and then aged in used sherry casks. It is then blended with rare, small batch grain whiskey which has been matured in deep-charred ex-bourbon barrels from Wild Turkey. The sherry casks impart subtly sweet flavors of roasted almonds, which is beautifully balanced by notes of vanilla, toasted wood and peppery spice from the bourbon barrels.
Sale Price $39.99
Jameson Caskmate
A limited edition Irish Whiskey that is expertly crafted from two types of whiskey – first, a blend of malted and un-malted barley is distilled in pot stills and then aged in used sherry casks. It is then blended with rare, small batch grain whiskey which has been matured in deep-charred ex-bourbon barrels from Wild Turkey. The sherry casks impart subtly sweet flavors of roasted almonds, which is beautifully balanced by notes of vanilla, toasted wood and peppery spice from the bourbon barrels.
Sale Price $29.98
