McAllister Irish Spirits, a new Irish spirits brand, recently launched their Family Bond series of hand-selected releases, Clan Colla Irish Whiskey and Xin Gin.
The launch of McAllister Irish Spirits’ first products signifies the brand’s first foray into the business and comes as construction on a new whiskey and gin distillery in the Irish village of Ahascragh, County Galway, gets under way.
As they await the first drop of spirit to be made at the Ahascragh Distillery, McAllister Irish Spirits bottled the Family Bond series which includes Clan Colla 19 Year Old Single Malt and 11 Year Old Blend as well as their Xin Gin.
Founder Gareth McAllister said that these special releases, although not distilled in Ahascragh, are partly matured, finished, and blended by McAllister Irish Spirits and bottled in the village.
“For our first release, we wanted to launch a premium Irish whiskey from our aged sourced stock. We hand selected some fantastic casks and finished them with different wood and seasoned casks. The legacy of ‘Clan Colla’ can now continue with this exceptional golden liquid,” McAllister said in a prepared statement
The McAllister name can be traced back to Irish whiskey making in the 1800s. McAllister’s Clan Colla whiskey, it is said, was known across the country. However, at the turn of the century, the fall of Irish whiskey took Clan Colla with it.
Fast forward to today, and the McAllister folks are back at it. The name of the whiskey comes from Irish legends of The Three Collas, Colla Uais, Colla Fo Chrí and Colla Menn, who were three brothers who conquered and ruled over most of Ireland. From The Three Collas descended the noble families of Ireland and Scotland, the “Clan Colla” as it’s known.
The newly released 19 Year Old Single Malt was distilled in 2001 and is in short supply. This sourced release from McAllister Irish Spirits spent 19 years in first fill American White Oak Bourbon Casks, before being finished in Spanish Oloroso Butts from Jerez.
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McAllister notes that the 11 Year Old Blend is a smooth yet complex blend of malt and grain whiskeys. This sourced malt has been double distilled, blended with grain, triple casked in ex Bourbon Barrels, Oloroso Sherry Butts and Peated Casks, and aged for 11 years.
Michelle McAllister noted that the brand’s other spirit, Xin Gin, tells a story of the couple’s two homes, Asia and Ireland. “The color red symbolises good luck and joy. The celtic swirls are a nod to our Irish heritage while the hearts represent our love for Asia. The recipe is based on my passion for cooking using both Asian and Irish ingredients. Persimmon fruit adds a sweet honey flavor and cinnamon, a touch of spice.”
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