The Whistler Irish Whiskey, from family-owned Boann Distillery in the Boyne Valley of Ireland, recently released Batch 002 of its Imperial Stout and Calvados Cask Finished Irish whiskeys.
These limited release whiskeys are only produced once a year, with a limited 3,000 bottles per batch available in the U.S.
Imperial Stout Cask Finish
For The Whistler Imperial Stout Cask Finish, the blend of whiskeys was 50% wheat, 35% malt, and 15% grain. The blend was initially matured in ex-bourbon barrels before being married together and finished in O’Hara’s Imperial Stout casks.
As with Batch 001’s collaboration with Boyne Brewhouse, Batch 002 sees O’Hara’s take freshly emptied single malt sherry casks and fill them with their signature Imperial Stout beer. This is left to mature and soak into the wood for a minimum of six months before being emptied and filled with The Whistler whiskey.
It’s then matured for another six months in cask before being bottled at 43% ABV, non-chill filtered.
Distiller’s notes:
NOSE: Dark tart berries, mixed with powdered chocolate and luxurious coffee.
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PALATE: A dry and creamy palate that is complemented by dark, juicy and tart berries that couple the chocolate characteristics into a black forest-esque flavor profile.
FINISH: Long, creamy mouthfeel lingers.
Calvados Cask Finish
The Whistler Calvados Cask Finish Batch 002 is a continued collaboration between the Whistler’s Boann Distillery and Calvados makers Chateau du Breuil.
Triple distilled, this whiskey has a high malt content, cask finished blend that’s composed of 35% malt whiskey and 65% grain whiskey. Both components are independently matured in ex-bourbon casks for a minimum of four years before being married and re-casked for 15 months in the Calvados casks from Normandy’s Chateau du Breuil. It’s also bottled at 43% ABV.
Distiller’s notes:
NOSE: Apple drops, fresh citrus zest, creamy and toffee undertones with banana, apricot, melon and creamy red raspberries.
PALATE: Sweet peach to the fore with pear and a bright citrus zest. Malt undertone with creamy vanilla.
FINISH: Long and creamy finish with lingering hints of pear and citrus.
“Since the brand’s launch in 2020, sales trends for The Whistler Irish Whiskey are outperforming those of its category, demonstrating that whiskey fans are thirsty for new experiences,” said Justin Ashton, general manager at Prestige Beverage Group, in a prepared statement. “The annual release of the Imperial Stout and Calvados Cask Finished whiskeys offer complex and nuanced flavor experiences.”
The 750ml bottles are on shelves now with a suggested retail price of $39.99, available in Indiana, Minnesota, North Dakota, Nebraska, Nevada, South Dakota, Wisconsin and Texas.
For more information, check out https://thewhistlerwhiskey.com.
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