A couple of Irish whiskey gems: Fercullen 14-year old and Killowen 6-year old

A couple of Irish whiskey gems: 

Fercullen 14-year old and Killowen 6-year old

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Fercullen 14 year old Single Malt 46% ABV

Carefully selected from rare stocks of aged Irish whiskey, this Irish Single Malt by Fercullen was matured exclusively in ex-Bourbon barrels by Master Distiller Noel Sweeney in his time as Master Distiller at the Powerscourt Distillery.

Note the light gold colour and also the slow slow legs. The nose is quite complex, honey and spice, sweet from the malt. Complex yet smooth and harmonious on the palate, layer after layer of different flavours, silky and sweet, the oak crisp, the whiskey fresh and spicy. And the finish follows much the same pattern: complex, fruity, with that amazing sweet spice. Memorable. The 14 years haven’t been wasted. On the contrary!

“This is a truly remarkable whiskey, smooth, satisfying, perfectly balanced, and easy to drink…” said Noel Sweeney. “Exclusively matured in fresh Bourbon barrels for over 14 years, it has married oak and bourbon with a fruity clean malty spirit to deliver a classic with a maturity beyond its years.”

So smooth, so harmonious on the palate, sweet and silky and fresh from start to finish. Gather up this Single Malt. Keep one for every one you drink now! 

The Powerscourt Distillery was founded in 2018 but the history of the Powerscourt Estate can be traced back to the 9th century to a territory that stretches across fertile plains and rugged mountainous land.

Known in native Gaelic tongue as “FeraCulann” or Fercullen, it is located in the foothills of the Wicklow mountains, close to Dublin. Ownership has been claimed by many over the centuries, from the native Clans of O’Toole and O’Byrne, to the Norman house of LePoer (who built a castle here and from whom the estate takes its name.)

The whiskey is generally priced at €92.95 and is available at Irish Malts and Celtic Whiskey. Mine came via Bradley’s Hip Flask service, a very popular service by the way; a full bottle here is keenly priced at €89.95.

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Killowen Signature Rum & Raisin 6-Year Old Single Malt Whiskey 55% abv, 50ml bottle. Batch #4.

Colour, as you might expect, is a shade or two darker than the usual. You can’t always judge a whiskey by its colour and here it is the aromas, rounded and rich, that are making the promise, a promise that will be amply fulfilled. And indeed, it is smooth and rich and long, no extremes at all other than being extremely well executed. Waves of flavour, delicious dried fruit notes from the sweet sherry butts melding superbly with Caribbean rum inputs of molasses and vanilla. 

With an ABV of 55%, a drop or two of water is advised. I took my own advice here and that tiny input of H2O makes it even smoother without impacting negatively on any of its other qualities.

To make this single malt Irish whiskey, Newry’s Killowen firstly aged the spirit for 5 years in Bourbon casks and then expertly balanced the PX sherry and dark Rum finishes “for the perfect flavour of the Caribbean with coconut and vanilla, figs, prunes and raisins…. The County Louth malt is the perfect compliment to the marriage”.

Just 995 bottles were produced. My Killowen came via Bradley’s Hip Flask service, a very popular service by the way, and my flask was filled from bottle #140. Full bottles (50cl) are priced at  €64.95 in Celtic Whiskey; €62.95 in Irish Malts (Batch #5). 

Founded by distiller Brendan Carty, Killowen’s team brings together a rogues gallery of whiskey experts and enthusiasts, all driven by one thing; bringing back the character and tradition of real Irish whiskey. Brendan is active and influential in the Irish distilling world, and is obsessed with the revival of forgotten styles of native distilling.

Media release - Killowen's Double Release:

Pic via Killowen Facebook

KILLOWEN BELGROVE OAT & RYE RELEASES
BONDED INTERNATIONAL SERIES
PARTS 1 of 2

OAT ABV: 59.79% - RYE ABV 60.61%

"The two whiskeys we released on Monday July 11th are Independent bottlings of Belgove Rye (239 bottles) & Oat (222 bottles), these are also released in the true Killowen fashion: cask strength, no added colour, integrity bottlings, with full label transparency." 

The reason for celebrating another micro distillery’s spirit is because we love it. It has connections with Irish whiskey’s rich past and with its contemporary future. Most whiskeys need to be old - very, very few don’t, however, just like Killowen, Belgrove put the effort in at spirit production stage instead of relying on prolonged casking, the sacrifice is quantity but who needs quantity when our game plan, above all else is quality.

Killowen has played its part in spreading the Belgrove gospel throughout the Northern Hemisphere. We have a profound respect for Peter Bignell and his liquid. After purchasing some Belgrove from Peter last summer we felt right now is the perfect time in the Killowen journey to release it.

The Rye - 60.61%
239 bottles
Finished in Ex-Malt & Australian Pinot Noir Casks

The Oat - 59.79%
222 bottles
Finished in Ex-Malt & Australian Pinot Noir Casks

RRP: £94.95

For more, see Killowen's social media.

A Delayed Irish Whiskey Double. Pearse Single Malt & Fercullen 10 Year Old Single Grain

A Delayed Irish Whiskey Double

Pearse Single Malt & Fercullen 10 Year Old Single Grain

Pearse Single Malt Irish Whiskey 46%abv €90.00

Back in 2019, I visited the beautiful Pearse Lyons distillery in Dublin’s Liberties. As you’ll see on the label, the distillery dedicates their spirits to the people and place that make it! They didn’t make that much of this one, just 4,000 bottles of which this one is #3377.

After a lovely informative tour, we got down to the pleasure of tasting a few as the afternoon sunlight spread through the gorgeous stained glass windows, each showing a scene from the process of making whiskey.

This Single Malt was our final tasting of the session. It was a new style of bottle for Pearse and was intended to be the type used from then on.

Cooper at work in Pearse window.

The standard within the bottle impressed and I thought it was exceptional and this latest tasting leaves that opinion unchanged. It is, as you may know, all their own malt, raised in first and second fill Bourbon casks. 

They say: “It is the first five-year age statement Irish whiskey to appear from a new distillery in the whole of Ireland in more than 25 years. Presented in 4,000 individually numbered bottles, this limited release 5-Year-Old Single Malt was produced on two small-batch copper pot stills, and aged in bourbon casks.”

It is sweet, oaky, peppery. Still young, yet full of promise, all very encouraging indeed. This was actually the bottle that I bought before I left! Only getting around to it three years later but still loving its fruit of the grain, still giving it a big thumbs up.

Fercullen 10 Year Old Single Grain Irish Whiskey, 40% abv, €57.50

Carefully selected from rare stocks of aged Irish Whiskey, the Fercullen 10-year-old Single Grain Irish Whiskey has been aged exclusively in American white oak (ex Bourbon barrels) for over a decade before being re-casked to mature in fresh bourbon barrels. 

Produced by Powerscourt Distillery, it comes in a lovely gold colour. Vanilla, honey and spice in the sweet aromas (all through really), rounded and not overly intense. Beautifully smooth and balanced on the palate, sweet, crisp grain with complex combinations of oak and fruit. While flavours of vanilla and orchard fruits lead the palate, there are subtle combinations all the way, nothing jars at all, no extremes, easy sipping (no need for water) to a long and lovely finale with a sweet vanilla oak touch.

I tasted this first three years ago with the then Powerscourt master distiller Noel Sweeney. We actually started with it. Noel was not at all surprised at its success, “a star performer”, and he thinks that this particular category is generally “under-rated”. Again, I bought this bottle on that visit and only got around to it now.

Ready for 2019 tasting in Powerscourt

The Fercullen 10 year old is based on old stock made by Sweeney while at Cooley, where he began his 30 plus year whiskey career and stayed on after founder John Teeling sold to Beam in 2011.

Noel is a globally recognised expert who has been credited for the release of many international award-winning whiskeys and was inducted into Whisky Magazine’s celebrated ‘Hall of Fame’ in 2017.

Availability:

Celtic Whiskey still have some of the Pearse at €90.00.

And they have the Fercullen listed at €57.50

Irish whiskey distilleries reopening with a host of new visitor offerings

Irish whiskey distilleries reopening with a host of new visitor offerings

Taste the difference at Roe & Co

• IrishWhiskey360° campaign urges domestic tourists to ‘get back into the spirit’ by visiting local distilleries -

Bespoke whiskey and food tastings, intimate cocktail-making classes and collaborations with local restaurants are just some of what’s on offer from Irish whiskey distilleries and visitor centres as they re-open in the wake of Covid-19 restrictions.

Commenting on their reopening, William Lavelle, head of Drinks Ireland|Irish Whiskey said many distilleries and brand homes have introduced new visitor offerings and more intimate tourist experiences in the wake of Covid-19.  Drinks Ireland|Irish Whiskey have today launched their IrishWhiskey360° “Get Back Into The Spirit” campaign to promote Irish whiskey tourism.

“Smaller tour sizes, private tastings, new cocktail and food pairings, and collaborations with local businesses are just some of the ways our members are adapting their offerings as they reopen,” he said. “Safety is obviously a key focus for all our visitor centres – they have reduced their tour sizes and introduced all the necessary requirements to ensure social distancing can be adhered to.

“Irish whiskey visitor centres are not just for whiskey fans – they offer a cultural and historical experience, where visitors can learn about how whiskey is made, the history of the local area, taste  whiskey and sample local cuisine. Whether you’re a couple looking for a fun date experience, or a group of friends looking to catch up after a difficult few months, I would urge people to get back into the spirit of discovery and friendship, and support local brands, by including an Irish whiskey visitor centre in your summer plans.”

Some of the distilleries and visitor centres that are reopening with new offerings include:

• Clonakilty Distillery, Co. Cork, which is offering smaller, later tours on Friday and Saturday evenings to allow visitors to follow their tour with a meal in neighbouring restaurant, the Whale’s Tail.
• Kilbeggan Distillery, Co. Westmeath, which is running smaller, more intimate tours, and have developed a new ‘Bottle Your Own’ experience, where visitors can bottle their own 10 year-old single malt cask exclusive to Kilbeggan Distillery.
• Roe & Co. Distillery in Dublin, where groups of up to six people can experience a cocktail-making workshop, and visitors will have the opportunity to discover the five pillars of flavours in whiskey.
• Tullamore Dew, Co. Offaly, which will be offering intimate-sized tours, and whiskey and food pairings.

Gin School at Clonakilty Distillery

Other distilleries that opened or due to open shortly include:

• Teeling Whiskey Distillery, Newmarket, Dublin.
• Powerscourt Distillery, Co. Wicklow.
• Jameson Distillery, Bow Street, Dublin.
• Jameson Distillery, Midleton. Co. Cork.

• Pearse Lyons Distillery, James’s Street, Dublin.
• Skellig Six18, Cahersiveen, Co. Kerry.

The Irish whiskey industry had a successful 2019 with 143 million bottles (nearly 12 million cases) of Irish whiskey sold globally, a doubling of sales since 2010, along with a record one million people visiting Irish whiskey distilleries and visitor centres.

Further information on the Irish whiskey distilleries and visitor centres that are now open is available at: www.irishwhiskey360.com

Irish Whiskey industry ready to bounce back after Covid-19 restrictions

Irish Whiskey industry ready to bounce back after Covid-19 restrictions

Powerscourt Distillery

- Irish whiskey industry backs calls for funding support to promote brands in key markets around the world ahead of World Whiskey Day -

The Irish Whiskey industry is ready to bounce back when the Covid-19 restrictions are eased. That is the message from Drinks Ireland|Irish Whiskey Association to mark World Whiskey Day this Saturday, 16^th May 2020.

The Irish whiskey industry had a successful 2019 with 137 million bottles (11.4 million cases) of Irish whiskey sold globally, a doubling of sales since 2010; along with a record one million people visiting Irish whiskey distilleries and brand homes.

However, the Association is warning that 2020 will prove very different as the Irish whiskey industry assesses the negative economic impact of Covid-19.

William Lavelle, Head of Drinks Ireland|Irish Whiskey Association, said: “In response to the Covid-19 crisis, our industry had to step back and in some cases step-up. Sales channels have been restricted and, and in many cases, such as bars and travel retail, have shut down. We closed our visitor centres. Cash flow has dried-up. Jobs have been lost, hopefully only temporarily.

“The Irish whiskey industry has proven itself to be resilient. After decades of decline, we’ve just experienced a remarkable decade of recovery. That recovery will continue. We’re ready to bounce back again.”

Playing their part in the Covid-19 pandemic

Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic Irish whiskey distilleries have supported the national effort to slow the spread of the virus, by producing alcohol-based hand sanitisers to help the country meet its increased demand for the product.

Lavelle commented: “It is really encouraging to see whiskey distilleries and brand homes play their part during this public health emergency. There has been a massive increase in demand for alcohol-based sanitisers, given its effectiveness in helping to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 virus.”

Clonakilty Distillery

Promoting Irish whiskey in key markets, both domestic and international

A key priority for the Irish whiskey industry over coming weeks and months will be to consolidate and reboot sales in key existing markets for Irish whiskey. To support this, Drinks Ireland|Irish Whiskey Association is developing new programmes to promote Irish whiskey at home and abroad.

Lavelle commented: “This crisis has knocked back sales growth. Orders have been cancelled and, in some cases, companies have been called on to take back stock. The challenges are particularly stark for many smaller and new-entrant companies.

“But our industry intends to win back these sales losses, across all our key markets. Our Association is finalising ambitious plans to promote Irish whiskey in our key markets, from the US and Canada right back to the domestic Irish market where we’ll be seeking to re-position Irish whiskey in what is quite likely to be a re-imagined Irish hospitality scene.”

The Irish whiskey industry is calling on the Irish and Northern Irish governments to back the proposal from Drinks Ireland for an ambitious programme of support - with up to 70 per cent funding - to allow companies to directly and exclusively employ graduate brand ambassadors in key markets for at least 12 months.

Lavelle added “Supporting Irish exporters to reboot their brands and regain market position should be a key priority for Government. Funding ‘boots on the ground’ in key markets around the world has long been the key to Irish food and drinks export success and is now more vital than ever.”

                             

Targeting domestic tourists

Last year, over one million people visited Irish whiskey distilleries and brand homes. However, 87 per cent of those visitors were from overseas, which will result in a significant decline in visitor numbers recorded this year.

Lavelle said: “Irish whiskey visitor attractions are more exposed than other attractions to the loss of international tourism. We will be actively targeting domestic Irish tourists once our visitor centres reopen in July.

“The second half 2020 is likely to see a surge in ‘stay-cations’, short breaks and day trips by Irish people right across the island of Ireland. As part of this we are encouraging Irish people to visit an Irish whiskey distillery.

“International visitors to Ireland have up to now flocked to Irish whiskey distilleries on the basis of their worldwide reputation as exciting and enjoyable attractions, where people can learn how Irish whiskey is made and explore the influence of the people and place in crafting our unique national spirit. We now want more Irish visitors to discover the depth and diversity of our Irish whiskey distilleries and brands homes, starting with their local distilleries.

“Distilleries and brand homes are ready to reopen their doors in July , many with new and redesigned tour experiences – such as more intimate tour offerings for couples, families and small groups - all designed to ensure the safety and enjoyment of visitors.”

For more information on Irish whiskey distillery visitor attractions visit https://irishwhiskey360.ie/

Wet and Windy. But Enjoyable Stay at Powerscourt Hotel

Powerscourt Visit 2019

Wet and Windy. But Enjoyable Stay at Powerscourt Hotel

Lobby at the Powerscourt Hotel

It was a wet and windy Monday when we made our most recent visit to Powerscourt. The estate, there is also a waterfall nearby, is just an hour or so from Dublin and now, with the improved motorways, it is just two and a half from Cork. Use M8, M7, M50, M11 (to Wexford) and that will leave you with just a few miles of country road to reach your destination.

Weather was so much better when we last visited in 2015

The rain followed us up from Cork and it was pelting down when we pulled in to the hotel on the grounds, hoping to have a quick lunchtime snack in the bar. But McGill’s Pub was closed until 4.00pm so we headed up to the house and the Avoca Cafe whose high-ceilinged dining rooms look out over the grounds. Not much to be seen that Monday, I’m afraid, but a tasty soup with a warming piquancy set  us up for the afternoon.

Night view of the fountains in the pool from the balcony

We did a little food shopping in the adjoining Avoca shop. Lots of local produce on sale, including Skellig Chocolates, and also plenty of fudge under the Avoca label but this was unmistakably Mella’s fudge from West Cork. No shortage of non-Irish produce too and surprised to see they had apple rings from China when Con Traas mades a superb delicious apple ring down in Cahir.

We had an appointment to tour the newly built Powerscourt Distillery just a few hundred yards away. With the weather still bad, we drove over (rather than walked) and parked outside the door. The tour is excellent and highly recommended and you may read about our experience here. Didn’t realise they had a café there also.

Back then to the Powerscourt Hotel to check in. Entry to the gardens is free to hotel guests but no possibility at all of exercising that option as the rains continued to pour down. Our room here was fabulous and indeed the hotel itself is magnificent, the lobby particularly impressive.

Super starter of Gin Cured Goatsbridge Trout, Pickled Apple, Green Gazpacho, Avocado, Tapioca

We had been hoping to dine at Sika, the main restaurant, but this is currently subject to occasional closure due to renovations. However we did enjoy the Sika cooking in the Sugar Loaf Lounge instead. Both restaurants have views out towards the Sugar Loaf mountain but, such was the extent of the rain, that famous landmark wasn’t visible at all.

Goat cheese, smoked beetroot purée,
Heirloom cherry tomato, cucumber gel
Basil Oil, Balsamic pearls

Dinner was excellent, quite a lot of choices here, and service, as you might expect, was also top notch. 

After dinner, we headed to McGill’s Pub in the hotel. This Irish pub is an excellent venue. The bar itself is “made for elbows”. The seating is not at all plush but good enough to enjoy your pick from a fine selection of whiskeys, beers and stouts. They also offer "a tasty menu of wholesome, traditional dishes, prepared and served with imagination and style".

And, even on a wet Tuesday, it was busy with food and drink, as indeed was the hotel itself. There was a great buzz in the bar and a football game on the screens. Not exactly what you’d expect in a five star but very enjoyable indeed with a very friendly and efficient service. 

I usually look for local beers and noted a string of Wicklow taps. Unfortunately none were active so I settled for a pint of Smithwick’s Red Ale. Not bad at all but not quite as good as the large bottle (568 mls) of Smithwick Red that I enjoyed a few months back in Lonergan’s Pub in Ballymacarbry (west Waterford).

Next morning, we were served breakfast in the Sika, after a very warm welcome indeed, No shortage of choice here at all and the hot buffet was just brilliant. The food looked very inviting and all was at the proper temperature and, back at the table, proved very tasty indeed, a proper Irish breakfast, just what was needed for another wet day ahead. More on that and the fantastic Wicklow Heather in the next post.

More about the gardens (from a previous visit) here

Also on this trip: Powerscourt Distillery
The Wicklow Heather

New Challenge for Noel Sweeney at Powerscourt Distillery

New Challenge for Noel Sweeney at Powerscourt Distillery

“The distiller’s challenge nowadays is to produce a style”, according to Master Distiller Noel Sweeney (right).

We were visiting the new Powerscourt Distillery on the estate, a visit hosted by Marketing Manager Caroline Gardiner who arranged for us to have a tasting with Noel.

He doesn’t particularly think that you can attach the word “innovation” to any of today’s various finishes as they’ve all been done before. But he reckons that there may be room for innovation at the other end, in the mash bill, and mentioned the Teeling Rye as an example.

Powerscourt Distillery and Visitor Centre

All aspects of spirit production and whiskey maturation fall under Sweeney’s careful supervision at Powerscourt Distillery. And we were privileged to have a chat and a tasting with Noel.

We started with the Fercullen 10-year old Single Grain. He is not surprised that it is successful, “a star performer”, and thinks that particular category is generally “under-rated”. It is indeed hugely enjoyable and I bought a bottle in the shop on the way out.

All set up for our tasting

His long experience of this style shows in the Fercullen whisky, experience gained and tempered in the good old days when grain matured in “good Bourbon barrels” became very popular as Greenore (now replaced by Kilbeggan Single Grain). 

Powerscourt have just begun to lay down their own whiskey and the three we tasted are based on old stock made by Sweeney while at Cooley where he began his 30 plus year whiskey career and stayed on after founder John Teeling sold to Beam in 2011. 

The Mash Tun

Noel is one of just a handful of Irish distillers to have been inducted into Whisky Magazine’s ‘Hall of Fame’ and Powerscourt are indeed lucky to have him, as Caroline emphasised.

After that lovely and light, smooth and sweet 10-year old grain, we tried the well-rounded Premium Blend. This, with its nicely judged blend of youngish grain and older malt, has a lot to offer, according to Noel, pointing to its “different maltiness” and excellent body.

We finished with the 14 year Pure Malt, matured in Bourbon barrels, the darkest of the three and also the strongest (46%). It has intense aromas, is smooth on the palate and that bit spicier. You may well need to add a drop or two of water to this.

If Noel didn’t hit the sweet spot with the 14-year old - and I reckon he did - he is even more sure of having done it with the soon to be released 18 year with its abv of 43%. Watch out for that!

In the warehouse

You enter the new distillery visitor centre via the Old Mill House steeped in history and built using local Wicklow granite. This has being faithfully restored  - you’ll see some of the original machinery under the glass floor - and extended to help accommodate the distillery’s development. The bell that adorns the northern west wall was originally used to herald the daily lunch break to workers in distant fields.

Whiskey in wine barrels

Must admit I didn’t see the bell that day. The rain was bucketing down and we couldn’t even see the Sugar Loaf mountain whose silhouette appears on all the Fercullen bottles. The next day, also wet, we got up close (and very wet) when we visited the Powerscourt Waterfall, the source of the water that the new distillery uses.

The history of the Powerscourt Estate can be traced back to the 9th century to a territory that stretches across fertile plains and rugged mountainous land.

Known in native Gaelic tongue as “FeraCulann” or Fercullen, it is located in the foothold of the Wicklow mountains, close to Dublin. Ownership has been claimed by many over the centuries, from the native Clans of O’Toole and O’Byrne, to the Norman house of LePoer (who built a castle here and from whom the estate takes its name.)

The new distillery (2018) has moved past the 1,000,000 bottle mark recently. The whiskey is being stored in casks (mainly bourbon, but some also in European barrels, mainly from the wine trade) in the on-site warehouse. More storage space will be needed in the not too distant future!

No shortage of fresh water in Powerscourt

The first big item you come across on the distillery tour itself is the Mash tun and from there the steps from grinding to mashing to fermentation to distillation to maturation are explained to you by your guide. You will have picked up some excellent information too in a short video that you start with. The three impressive copper stills were manufactured in Scotland by Forsyths.

And of course, every tour includes a tasting. Indeed, there are no less than six individual tasting rooms. There is a Distillery tour and also a Distillery and Warehouse tour. Some of the rooms are suitable for large groups so corporate visits can be comfortably facilitated and tailored to suit the group’s needs.

They also have a bright and airy café here and if you call in for a cuppa or something more substantial, be sure and try out their Fercullen Whiskey Ice-cream! 

The shop is alongside, very well laid out. And here you may buy a bottle or two or more. The three Fercullen whiskeys are also available, in miniature bottles, in a handy gift-pack. 

And no shortage of other souvenirs. I also spotted the Móinéir Wines (made here in Wicklow by Wicklow Way Wines) and also those delicious biscuits from the Lismore Food Company.

And if you’d like to get involved in the new distillery, check out their Cask Programme. Restricted to a membership of 397 (200L) casks only, each one is intended to represent a foot in height of the nearby 397ft Powerscourt Waterfall. Available to private subscription, the programme offers an exclusive level of involvement with the distillery’s exciting whiskey future. Details here. 

The Powerscourt Distillery 

Powerscourt Estate, Enniskerry, Co. Wicklow, Ireland
Eircode: A98 A9T7
Phone: +353 1 506 5656

Also on this trip:
The Wicklow Heather
Powerscourt Hotel

A Hat-trick of Whiskeys from the new Powerscourt Distillery

A Hat-trick of Whiskeys from the new Powerscourt Distillery

Powerscourt Distillery recently celebrated its first anniversary as a fully operating whiskey distillery with the opening of its visitor centre in the Old Mill House on Powerscourt Estate.  Master Distiller Noel Sweeney is a globally recognised expert who has already been credited for the release of many international award-winning whiskeys and was inducted into Whisky Magazine’s celebrated ‘Hall of Fame’ in 2017.  

I hope to visit Powerscourt in the near future but in the meantime I enjoyed the three whiskeys that make up the Fercullen Trilogy Set. The name comes from ‘FeraCulann’ or ‘Fercullen’, the Gaelic name given to the ancient and strategically important lands that surround and encompass Powerscourt Estate.

Like many young distilleries, Powerscourt are sourcing malt and grain from existing distilleries including Cooley Distillery. Here Noel Sweeney represents an unusual and valuable continuation as it was he who distilled this original liquid when he was Master Distiller in Cooley!

Fercullen Premium Blend Irish Whiskey, 40% abv, €44.00

A blend of carefully selected casks of aged malt and grain whiskeys, Fercullen Premium Blend Irish Whiskey, is aged in seasoned oak. Mid-gold in the glass, legs slow to clear as you’d expect. Surprisingly rich aromas, sweet too with vanilla notes. Quite smooth on the palate, quite a depth of flavour, a touch of toast, spice and sweetness too. Sweet finish too with those tropical fruits. Very promising indeed for their entry level drop. Then again distiller Noel Sweeney is far from entry level!

Fercullen 10 Year Old Single Grain Irish Whiskey, 40% abv, €57.50

Carefully selected from rare stocks of aged Irish Whiskey, the Fercullen 10-year-old Single Grain Irish Whiskey has been aged exclusively in white oak for over a decade before being recasked to mature in fresh bourbon barrels.  A bit more gold in the colour here, plus the slow legs of course. Vanilla, honey and spice in the sweet aromas, more rounded, if slightly less intense, than the blend. Beautifully smooth and balanced on the palate; harmonious combinations all the way, nothing jars at all, no extremes, easy sipping to a long and lovely finale.

Fercullen 14-Year-Old Single Malt Irish Whiskey, 46%,  €92.95

Carefully selected from rare stocks of aged Irish whiskey, Fercullen 14-Year-Old Single Malt has been expertly distilled and set aside to mature in bourbon barrels by one of Ireland’s most accomplished Master Distillers Noel Sweeney. It is matured in Bourbon barrels. The darkest of the three. Also the strongest of the three, so slow slow legs. Aromas are quite mature and intense: vanilla, honey, fruit, herb and spice. So smooth, so harmonious on the palate, sweet and silky and fresh from start to finish. Gather up this Single Malt. Keep one for every one you drink now!