Dead Rabbit Bar In New York Gets Its Own Irish Whiskey

The Dead Rabbit Grocery & Grog in New York City is far and wide considered one of the best bars in that city, if not the world. It is described by those behind it as being “a tri-level mid-19th century style Irish/New York drinking saloon” housed in a landmarked building dating back to 1828. Given the relative Irish roots of this establishment, it makes sense that to celebrate its fifth year anniversary it would team with an Irish distillery to debut its own Irish whiskey.

The Dead Rabbit Irish Whiskey has been created for the bar by The Dublin Liberties Distillery and its master distiller Darryl McNally. It is said to be a blend of Irish single malt and grain whiskeys that was first aged in seasoned bourbon casks for five years, followed by finishing in half sized small, specially crafted, virgin American oak barrels. It is bottled at 44% ABV.

“The Dead Rabbit Grocery & Grog holds the largest collection of Irish whiskey in North America, we’ve been endlessly fascinated by the category,” said The Dead Rabbit co-founders Sean Muldoon and Jack McGarry in a prepared statement. “This whiskey has been patiently waiting for five long years and we can’t wait to share it with you all.”

The bottle this whiskey is housed in is said to have a number of distinctive elements, including three seals. The first “is the iconic upside-down dead rabbit. Made famous by the NYC bar, a nod to the infamous New York City-based Irish street gang, and the gang’s leader, John Morrissey, a notorious figure on the streets of New York who would later go on to become a Democratic congressman and senator. The second seal features the Dublin Liberties Distillery, the home of The Dead Rabbit Whiskey, located in the heart of Dublin. The trinity is completed with the five-year old seal, guaranteeing the age and maturity of this premium Irish whiskey.”

This new Irish whiskey is pricing at around $40. Limited official tasting notes suggest that, on the nose, it is “light and aromatic with toasted oak notes and a hint of caramel. Upon tasting, there’s a deep rich mellow feel, finishing with a long soft hint of vanilla, with a bit of Dead Rabbit attitude. The Dead Rabbit Irish Whiskey is best enjoyed on the rocks, as the base for mixed drinks or even in an Irish Coffee.”