Cooley Gold Rush continues in the USA

Irish distillery collects 12 Gold Medals at San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

This week Cooley Distillery, Ireland’s only independent whiskey distillery, continued its phenomenal strike rate on the international circuit by claiming 12 gold medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
The 11th annual San Francisco World Spirits Competition brought together a panel of 33 judges from across the industry to taste and score a record number of entries, 1,106 products from 61 countries. The judges awarded Double Gold, Gold, Silver and Bronze medals to the participating brands and special awards to the most outstanding spirit in its class.

Cooley won the top award, the coveted Double Gold Medal for its Connemara Cask Strength Peated Single Malt, Tyrconnell 10 Yr Old Madeira Finish Single Malt, Tyrconnell 10 Yr Old Port Finish Single Malt and topped it off with a Double Gold Medal and Best in Class for the Michael Collins 10 Yr Old Single Malt it produces for US importer Sidney Frank.

In addition, Cooley collected Gold Medals for its Kilbeggan 15 Yr Old, its Tyrconnell 10 Yr Old Sherry Finish Single Malt and for two further expressions of its Connemara brand.

Jack Teeling, Managing Director of Cooley Distillery, commented, “This latest success proves that Cooley is consistently producing some of the finest whiskeys in the world today.

These awards will further elevate the profile of Cooley Distillery in the US which is now the largest market for Irish whiskey in the world and continues to grow by double digit figures year on year. In 2010, we doubled our sales of whiskey to the US and our recent awards will help us continue this growth in 2011.”

Cooley Distillery San Francisco World Spirits Competition award winning whiskeys:
Double Gold Medal & Best in Class, Michael Collins 10 Yr Old Single Malt
Double Gold Medal, Connemara Cask Strength Irish Whiskey
Double Gold Medal, The Tyrconnell 10 Year Old Single Malt Irish Whiskey, Madeira Finish
Double Gold Medal, The Tyrconnell 10 Year Old Single Malt Irish Whiskey, Port Finish
Gold Medal, The Tyrconnell 10 Year Old Single Malt Irish Whiskey, Sherry Finish
Gold Medal, Connemara Peated Irish Whiskey
Gold Medal, Connemara 12 Year Old Irish Whiskey

Gold Medal, Kilbeggan 15 Year Old Irish Whiskey
Silver Medal, Connemara Turf Mor Irish Whiskey
Silver Medal, Greenore 15 Year Old Single Malt Irish Whiskey,
Silver Medal, Kilbeggan Irish Whiskey
Silver Medal, The Tyrconnell Single Malt Irish Whiskey,
Bronze Medal, Greenore 8 Year Old Single Malt Irish Whiskey

For More Information about the Cooley Distillery Click Here

To buy Cooley Distillery Brands in The UK Click Here

Cooley Whisky Tasting Evening

Next month has The "Saint" day that does more fuel alcohol consumption than any other. It is of course St Patricks Day on March the 17th so we are going to have a Irish Whiskey Evening with the Cooley Distillery.

Saturday the 19th of March 2011 Tickets £10 Each
Contact Andrew on 01759 371356 for details

Cooley Distillery is the only independent Irish owned distillery in Ireland, founded in 1987 by John Teeling, a highly respected Irish entrepreneur. It was during his studies at Harvard University in the early 1970's that John Teeling identified the decline of Irish whiskey as an opportunity to reverse this situation.

The Cooley combined with its recently reopened Locke's Distillery produce several styles of award winning Irish Whiskies.

Connemara Peated Single Malt Irish Whiskey
Named after one of the most famous regions in Ireland, Connemara is one of nature's masterpieces. The rugged Atlantic coastline and majestic mountains blend with the rain-soaked peated bog lands to create a landscape of unique natural beauty.

Connemara Peated Single Malt Irish Whiskey captures the beauty of this region while reviving its traditions. This rare and original find among Irish whiskeys is a single malt, beautifully gilded in peat reek.

Tyrconnell Single Malt Irish Whiskey.
The Watts distillery dates back to 1762 and had a proud tradition of producing good whiskies. Tyrconnell was their flagship brand, which wa

s a best seller in the United States before Prohibition and is named after a very successful racehorse owned by the Watt family. This historic whiskey brand has been kept alive by Cooley Distillery.

Greenore Irish Single Grain Whiskey.
Greenore combines only the purest of elements, soft Irish water from the Cooley Mountains and the finest high quality grains. The whiskey is then left to mature in single use bourbon oak casks

Locke's Kilbeggan Distillery
Also known as Locke's or Brusna, Kilbeggan Co Westmeath1757 to 1958. Went back into production 19th of March 2007.

Locke's 8 year old Single Malt Irish Whiskey.
This fine whiskey is distilled in Cooley in traditional pot stills and uses only the finest malted barley and the purest Irish spring water.

Locke's Premium Blend Irish Whiskey
Originates from Locke's Distillery in Kilbeggan, Co. Westmeath

Locke's Irish Whiskey is made from marrying malt and grain whiskey together. This fine whiskey is double distilled in traditional pot stills and patent stills and uses only the finest malted barley, maize and the purest Irish spring water.

Also
Kilbeggan Irish Whiskey
Inishowen Peated Irish Whiskey
Millar's Special Reserve Irish Whiskey.

Irish Whiskey Evening

www.whiskys.co.uk

Present a Irish Whiskey Tasting Evening Saturday 19th March 2011 starting at 7.30.pm

Featuring Whiskies from the Cooley Distillery

Battleflats Veterinary Practice  Meetings Room


2 Buttercrambe Rd Stamford Bridge YO411AN

 Tickets £10

Contact Andrew on 01759 371356 for more details

Greenore 15 years old Single Grain Irish Whiskey

A unique and exceptional Single Grain Irish Whiskey,
Greenore’s silky smooth taste and robust character is a truly delightful experience for the discerning drinker.

The extra aging of the Greenore 15-year-old produces a more complex robust whiskey with new depths and layers of flavours that compliment the smooth sweet buttery vanilla notes that makes the 8-year-old so popular

Nose- Soft, sweet corn, delicious hints of vanilla, honey and oak.

Taste- Melt-in-the-mouth richness, silky smooth honey start combining with fresh almonds and spices, a hint of barley for good measure.

Finish-Warm honey taste lingers in the mouth with a dry finish.

Greenore 15 years old Single Grain Irish Whiskey tasting motes added to the www.whiskymerchants.co.uk website

 Page updated to include Greenore's recent Awards Click Here

Buy Greenore Irish Grain Whiskey at www.whiskys.co.uk

Kilbeggan Distillery releases first new whiskey in over 53 Years

The World’s Oldest Distillery Launches a New Whiskey

For over 200 years, the Kilbeggan Distillery produced some of the finest whiskey in the world.

In 1957 the stills ran dry however 50 years later Cooley Distillery, the multi-award winning independent whiskey distiller, breathed new life into the world’s oldest distillery and today, the first new whiskey to be distilled at Kilbeggan in over 53 years was officially unveiled at an intimate gathering at the Kilbeggan Distillery in Co. Westmeath.

The Kilbeggan Distillery Reserve Malt, the latest addition to the Kilbeggan family of fine whiskeys, is produced from the oldest pot still in the world which dates back to 1830. The Kilbeggan Distillery itself was established in 1757 and is the oldest distillery in the world.

Fittingly the local heritage group was in attendance to witness the launch of the new whiskey as they played a key role in ensuring the survival of the distillery during the years it lay dormant. Also in attendance were distillery employees, without whom the world’s oldest still could not have been brought back to life. All gathered at this momentous event received a signed bottle of the first batch.

The whiskey world has waited in anticipation for half a century for the first new bottling from the historic Kilbeggan distillery. Distilled from 100% malted barley, the Kilbeggan

Distillery Reserve, due to the distinctive narrow necks of the ancient pot still design, is an exceptionally smooth and flavoursome Irish Malt whiskey of distinctive character.

John Teeling, Chairman of Cooley Distillery commented at the launch,

 “This is another significant landmark in the rejuvenation of the great Kilbeggan distilling tradition. A huge amount of hard work by Cooley employees and the local heritage committee has gone into getting us to this day. It is a labour of love to re-establish the Kilbeggan Distillery as a centre of distilling excellence. Heritage and tradition are vital elements in whiskey. Great whiskeys come from great distilleries. Today’s whiskey, though young, has a distinct character both smooth and flavoursome; a character that will only improve with age. And why wouldn’t it, being distilled by the world’s best distillers, in the oldest working pot still in the world and matured in 200 year old granite warehouses.”

Today’s launch also marked the unveiling of the recently rebranded Kilbeggan Irish Whiskey. Currently sold in over 35 international markets, the Kilbeggan brand is Cooley Distillery’s flagship Blended whiskey.

The rebrand project involved creating an over-arching identity for the Kilbeggan Irish whiskey brand and the Kilbeggan Distillery. This highlights both the unique provenance as the oldest distillery in the world and the high quality of the whiskey. The Kilbeggan 15 Year Old Irish whiskey was honoured recently as the Best Whiskey in the World at the 2009 International Wine & Spirits Competition in London.

Jack Teeling, Managing Director of Cooley Distillery said, “We are delighted to be able to accompany the release of the first new whiskey from the Kilbeggan Distillery with the unveiling of the rebranded Kilbeggan Irish whiskey range. The new packaging pays homage to the rich heritage and quality of the Kilbeggan brand while also maintaining a contemporary look and feel. We look forward to seeing the trade’s and consumer’s reaction to the new look Kilbeggan Irish whiskey.”

The rebranded Kilbeggan is being rolled out in Germany and the US with all other markets following suit over the next few months. This will be followed by the release of a range of brand extensions including a Super Premium Kilbeggan 18 Year Old.


More Information about the Kilbeggan Distillery Click here

Connemara Single Malt Irish Whiskey at Cask Strength 57.9%

While the whiskey is bottled at around 60% it still retains its distinctive smoothness while capturing the essence of Connemara as the whiskey and peat characteristics are much more pronounced appealing to drinkers who like a stronger peat taste.

Connemara Single Malt Irish Whiskey at Cask Strength 57.9% Tasting Notes

Nose:  Expressive aroma with a vibrant presence of malt and peaty smokiness.

Taste:  Smooth, melodious taste with a superb mix of fruit and peat.

Finish:  Strong spice bite in the finish that dominates but doesn't overwhelm the delicious creamy peatiness.


For More details about Connemare Irish Whisky Click Here


To purchase Connemare Irish Whiskey at Cask Strength Click Here

Connemara Irish Whiskey Sherry finish 46% 70cl

Connemara – Peated Single Malt Irish Whiskey

A tribute to an Irish whiskey making tradition.
Limited Edition Sherry Cask Finished.. 

Connemare Peated Single Malt a truly unique Irish whiskey, is famous for its smooth sweet taste that combines artfully with its complex malt and peat flavours.

This limited edition small batch bottling involves finishing Connemara in Sherry casks imparting further depth and flavour to the whiskey.

The sweetness and spiciness of the Sherry interacts with the malt and peat flavours of Connemara resulting in a remarkably well balanced masterpiece.

Nose: Rich gentle smoky nose followed by flowery fragrance and some distinct sherry notes.

Taste: well rounded mouth offers a full range of flavour plus  lots of citrus and marmalade.

Finish: good balance and long, impressive finish.

For tasting notes about Connemare Irish Whisky Click Here

You can buy this whiskey at whiskys.co.uk

Locke's Irish Whiskey 8 year old Single Malt 40%, 70cl

The Kilbeggan Distillery is located in the midlands of Ireland and is over 250 year old . 

John Locke acquired the distillery that is situated on the banks of the river Brusna or Brosna in 1843.

Lockes Irish Whiskey is named after one of the previous owners of the Old Kilbeggan Distillery.

In April 1952 the Irish government raised the spirit duty from £6.85 to £8.80 a proof gallon considerably cutting demand. By the November of 1953 Locke’s could not afford the duty to release the whisky from bond for the Christmas period and distilling ceased.

In 2007, after refurbishment, the stills where fired up again and the distillery is back in production

Lockes Single Malt Irish Whiskey Tasting notes..

Nose – Very aromatic nose bulging with big fruit-barley character.

Taste – The barley is big and succulent. There is a copper-tanginess followed by a dry fruity flavour.

Finish – The malt is nothing short of enormous with a tangy character, vanilla essence and peaty finish.

Awards

2008 IWSC Gold & Best in Class

2007 IWSC Gold & Best in Class

Presentation tube.

For Kilbeggan  Irish Distillery History notes and Locke's Irish Whiskey Tasting Notes Click Here

Connemara 12 year Old Peated Single Malt Irish Whiskey

Alcohol content: 40%
Colour: - A pale golden colour

Nose: - An expressive nose with a vibrant presence of peat.

Taste: - Smooth, melodious taste with a superb mix of fruit and peat. Round and full character with tantalizing traces of almond, marzipan and biscuit.

Finish: - A strong spicy bite to the finish that is dominated by an extraordinary peat explosion with a vanilla creaminess that luxuriates across the mouth, leaving a long finish on the palate.

Serving suggestion:- Connemara 12 year old can be enjoyed neat or with a little water to release the bouquet.

Click here for more information about the Connemara Irish Whiskey..

You can Buy Connemara Irish Whiskey at www.whiskys.co.uk

Greenore Irish Whiskey 8 year old Single Grain Whiskey

Single Grain whiskeys are very rare as most grain whiskey is normally used with Malt whiskeys to make Blended whiskey.

Greenore Irish Single Grain Whiskey is a truly unique whiskey as it is the only expression of Irish Single Grain whiskey and is avaiable in very limited in quantities .

Greenore Single Grain Whiskey Tasting Notes of Noel Sweeney, Cooley Master Blender

Nose: Clean light grain, with honey and oak characters.

Taste: Silky smooth and mellow with honey start combined with fresh almonds and spices to create this delicate balance.

Finish: Warm honey taste lingering in the mouth with a dry finish

More information about Greenore Single Grain Irish Whiskey Click here
You can buy Greenore Single Grain Irish Whiskey at www.whiskys.co.uk

Tyrconnell 40%, Single Malt Irish Whiskey

Tyrconnell is a historic Irish whiskey brand from the 1900's that was named after a very famous racehorse that won a legendary race at odds of 100 to 1. Tyrconnell Irish single malt whiskey

Tyrconnell Single Malt Irish Whiskey Tasting Note...
The Tyrconnell Single Malt Irish whiskey is characterised by its elegant and balanced taste profile.
It retains the smooth, sweet taste normally associated with Irish whiskey but with its own distinctive character. The result is Tyrconnell's beautiful fresh, malty, fruity bouquet, smooth sweet taste and delicate dry finish.

Tasting Notes – "The Sweet One"

Nose – Full and fruity aroma with a citrus spritzyness

Taste – A tang of oranges and lemons with a strong malt presence that balances well with the oily sweetness.

Finish – A long finish with the malt becoming more dominant.

Tyrconnell Irish single malt whiskey Michael Jackson tasting note kindly supplied by the Whisky Magazine.

Nose: Grassy, leafy. Herbal. Hint of charcoal, Dry.

Palate: Firm, silky, oily. Some Vanilla pod. Cereal grain flavours.

Finish: Garden mint. Very late sweetness.

Comment: Pleasant, light, sociable drinking.

More information about Tyrconnell Single Malt Irish Whiskey Click here

You can buy Tyrconnell Single Malt Irish Whiskey at http://www.whiskys.co.uk/catalogue/12

Connemara Irish Whiskey 40%, 70cl

Connemara is a wild, mountainous region on the west coast of Ireland, lying between the Atlantic Ocean and Loughs Corrib and Mask.



The majestic mountains, lakes, streams, glens and rain soaked peat bogs create a landscape of unique natural beauty.



The peat bogs of Connemara are major fuel sources to the region and have played an important role throughout Irish history in the evolution of energy and as an employment source.



Connemara Peated Single Malt Irish Whiskey is a tribute to this region. Its complex characters and peaty taste revive a tradition that in recent years has been forgotten by Irish distillers throughout the country. A forgotten tradition recaptured by Cooley Distillery with Connemara Peated Single Malt.



Connemara Single Malt Irish Whiskey Tasting Note -


Distillery Tasting Notes - "The Smoky One"


Nose – Smokey peatiness balanced by hints of honey and dried fruits.


Taste – Silky smooth with a honey sweet start, followed by malt and fruit flavours giving way to full bodied peat.


Finish – Long and glorious with golden honey notes and a deep peaty finish.


Michael Jackson tasting note kindly supplied by the Whisky Magazine


Nose: Pronounced smoke rather than peat, both are evident.



Palate: Syrupy, sweet grass. Smokey some drier hints of phenol. A suggestion of juicy wood extracts of sherry rounding out the flavours.



Finish: Smokey and emphatically grassy. Sweet grass with spicy dryness.



Comment: Lots happening. Chimney pots of smoke. I love this whisky.


More information about Connemara Irish Whiskey Click here..
You can buy Connemara Single Malt Irish Whiskey at www.whiskys.co.uk/

Millars Special Reserve Irish Whiskey

The Millar’s Special Reserve Irish Whiskey brand originates from a company in Dublin called Adam Millar & Company.

The brand reflects the classic atmosphere of the 1920's and 1930's, a time when writers like Joyce, O'Casey and Yates raised the Irish spirit and in so doing contributed to the birth of the Irish nation.

This is a unique blend of the finest grain and malt Irish whiskeys with exceptional character and superior quality. It is double distilled and matured almost entirely in once used oak bourbon casks. The character of the whiskey comes primarily from the quality malt barley specially chosen to give the whiskey a unique smooth after taste A darker, full bodied, smooth whiskey in the traditional Irish sense.

Millar's Irish Whiskey Tasting notes...

Nose – Lush sweetness alongside the harder, oakier grains.

Taste – Very malty start followed by very powerful, fruity grain.

Finish – Creamy bourbon finish

Millar's Irish Whiskey Tasting notes of Jim Murray, renowned Whiskey Commentator provided by the Cooley distillery.

Nose:-Sweet grape on the nose joining forces with the grain to offer a lush sweetness alongside the harder, oakier grains.

Taste: - Very malty start followed by a very powerful grain which is fruity. Not a light whiskey at all. Full mouth feel, slight grapeness with good weight sherry in evidence.

Finish: - Very favourable bourbon finish feel of a five year old minimum with seven plus.

Serving Suggestions: - Neat, on the rocks, or with water to taste. Equally good served with mixers or as an ingredient for Irish Coffee. A sipping whiskey for all occasions.

More information about Millars Irish Whiskey Click here..

You can buy Millars Single Malt Scotch Whisky at www.whiskys.co.uk/

Connemara 40%, Single Peated Malt Irish Whisky

Irish single malt whiskey.

Nose: Pronounced smoke rather than peat, both are evident.

Palate: Syrupy, sweet grass. Smokey some drier hints of phenol. A suggestion of juicy wood extracts osf sherry rounding out the flavours.

Finish: Smokey and emphatically grassy. Sweet grass with spicy dryness.

Comment: Lots happening. Chimney pots of smoke. I love this whisky.

Other Irish whiskies

Locke's 40% Blend Irish Whiskey

The Locke's Irish Whiskey originates from Locke's Distillery in Kilbeggan, Co. Westmeath which is situated along the banks of the river Brusna in the heart of Ireland.

The Distillery has the distinction of being the oldest licensed distillery in the world dating back to 1757. This distillery prospered in the 19th century by successfully exporting its whiskey to the UK, US, Argentina, Australia and other UK colonies. The change in the economic climate brought about by the second world war eventually forced Locke's to cease operations in 1953 and sell off its assets. This loss in distilling history was ultimately Cooley Distillery's gain when it bought over Locke's Distillery and its remaining assets in the late 1980's.

Locke's Irish Whiskey is made from marrying malt and grain whiskey together. This fine whiskey is double distilled in traditional pot stills and patent stills and uses only the finest malted barley, maize and the purest Irish spring water. Maturation of Locke's Irish Whiskey takes place in the 200 year old warehouses in Kilbeggan. A blend of malt and grain whiskey that has been gently mature in oak casks is used to create the distinct flavour and character that is unique to Locke's Irish Whiskey.

Tasting notes of Jim Murray,

Nose: Sweet and malty

Taste: Sweet and smooth at first. Possessing a full malty and spicey middle and a delightful honeyed sweetness which rolls around the palate, filling the mouth. It glides over the taste-buds like the smoothest of silks. Well balanced overtones of oak wood.

Finish: The powerful maltiness trickles off leaving the grain which is first noticeable as the conveyor of ex-bourbon cask vanillins. Soft, clean and quite malty with a little oloroso sherry wood.

Lockes 40% Blend Irish Whiskey,