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Ireland’s Ballykeefe Single Estate Distillery Offers Its First Whiskeys

Family-owned Ballykeefe Distillery out of Ireland recently announced the limited release of its new Ballykeefe Pot Still Whiskey.

Standing as the distillery’s first release, the Pot Still Whiskey has been aged since 2017 and is distilled from 100% Ballykeefe Irish barley and triple distilled in bespoke, Irish designed, Italian made, copper stills, using deep well Ballykeefe water. Investment in sophisticated technology and eco-friendly practices have ensured zero off-farm waste and secured Ballykeefe multiple awards for sustainability.

The Ballykeefe Pot Still Whiskey is presented in a hand-engraved bottling by Ireland’s oldest family-owned crystal studio workshop Kilkenny Crystal. It is mounted in a presentation box with a certificate of authenticity. The cask strength bottles come with a larger presentation box which includes two hand-cut crystal glass tumblers, designed in partnership with Kilkenny Crystal, as well.

Ballykeefe Pot Still Whiskey
Ballykeefe Pot Still Whiskey (image via Ballykeefe)

Built in 2016, Ballykeefe Distillery is located in the region which is renowned for the earliest written accounts of distilling in Ireland, recorded in the Red Book of Ossory in 1324. The distillery has received multiple national and international awards for its other spirits, including Gold 2019 USA Spirits Ratings, Gold 2019 World Gin Awards, Gold 2019 World Liqueur Awards, Master Class at the 2018 Global Spirits Masters, Best Irish Vodka at the Irish Whiskey Awards 2018, and Gold at the Irish Whiskey Awards 2018. The distillery was also awarded third most sustainable factory at the 2018 Food and Drink Business Awards.

The first release of seven individually bottled casks of Pot Still Whiskey includes 500 cask strength bottles, with only 350 being released for sale, and 986 bottles at 46% ABV, with only 700 of these special celebration bottles being released for sale. Full tasting notes for both the cask strength and 46% ABV bottlings can be found below.

Cask Strength Bottling

Nose 

The nose is intense, but gentle with real depth and character, with powerful notes of Warm Caramel, Firm Oak Vanilla, Malt Cereal and a small hint of Coconut.

Taste

The taste at first has a burst of Orange Peel and Dark Chocolate mid tongue. Then a surge of spice with notes of Liquorice, Cloves, Cardamom and a hint of soothing menthol oil in the background. A small splash of water calmed the cask strength fire and enhanced the luscious mouthfeel.

Finish

Long slow-burning finish dominated by Cloved Oranges and Aniseed.

 

46% ABV Bottling

Nose

Warm inviting nose with Caramel Toffee Notes, Soft Oak Vanilla,  Malt Cereal and a hint of Coconut.

Taste

A surge of Rich Earthy Malt with sweet and spicy notes of Liquorice, Cloves, Dried Fruit and Green Cardamom. A small splash of water opens the Rich Malt flavours even more and enhances the silky mouthfeel.

Finish

Long Malty finish yields to Cloved Oranges and Aniseed.

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