Cooley Distillerys' Gold Rush Continues

Cooley Distillery claims more Gold Medals at 2011 International Wine & Spirits Competition.

The multi-award winning Irish whiskey distiller, continued its phenomenal success at the International Wine & Spirits Competition, (IWSC) held in London, by claiming a further 8 IWSC Gold medals.

The medal haul included a record 4 Gold Medals for its Connemara Peated Single Malt Irish whiskey range including two Best in Class honours reaffirming its place as the most honoured Irish Single Malt of all time at International Spirits Competitions.

Other repeat winners for Cooley at the IWSC included the Lockes 8 Yr Old Single Malt and Tyrconnell 10 Yr Old Madeira Finish Single Malt. Two recently launched products, the Kilbeggan 18 Yr Old Deluxe Blended Irish whiskey and the Greenore 18 Yr Old Single Grain Irish Whiskey also both claimed Gold medals in their maiden IWSC competition.

Jack Teeling, Managing Director of Cooley Distillery, commented, “The Irish whiskey industry is in rude health. There are opportunities in many markets around the world where Irish whiskey exports are benefitting from the industry’s collective success. The International awards we receive each year for the quality of our products will enable us to take advantage of this opportunity.

This latest success at the International Wine & Spirits Competition is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our staff. It is a further ringing endorsement on the International stage of the quality and consistency of the whiskey being produced by Cooley”.

Founded in 1987, Cooley Distillery has won a total of 40 IWSC Gold medals over the last 5 years.

This year on year success has resulted in Cooley Distillery being named European Distiller of the Year by the IWSC for the last three years running and is shortlisted for the 2011 European Distiller of the Year Award, the results of which will be announced at the 2011 IWSC Competition Banquet that will be held in the Guildhall in London on the 16th November 2011.

Summery of this years IWSC London wins

Gold Medal & Best in Class, Connemara Peated Single Malt

Gold Medal & Best in Class, Connemara Turf Mór Peated Single Malt

Gold Medal & Best in Class, Tyrconnell 10 Year Old Madeira Finish Single Malt
Gold Medal & Best in Class, Lockes 8 Yr Old Single Malt

Gold Medal, Connemara 18 Year Old Single Cask Peated Single Malt

Gold Medal, Connemara 12 Year Old Peated Single Malt

Gold Medal, Kilbeggan 18 Year Old Blended Irish whiskey

Gold Medal, Greenore 18 Year Old Single Grain Irish whiskey


You Can find Connemare award Winning Irish Whiskeys at www.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

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,