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New Irish Whiskeys and Spirits to Dazzle and Gift this Christmas
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Recently-Launched Irish Whiskeys and Spirits to Dazzle and Gift this Christmas

This year, Irish whiskey and drinks producers have unveiled a wide array of new bottles, and a remarkable increase not just in the quantity of options, but in styles and innovation is now spoiling us for choice on the shelves. If you’re looking for a special tipple to make someone’s day, why not try something new?

The roundup below includes many of the delectable new Irish whiskeys, gins and other spirits which have been launched in 2018. Many have been in the market for barely a few weeks now, so treat yourselves and be some of the first ones to try them!

Recently-Launched Irish Spirits to Dazzle and Gift this ChristmasRed Spot 15 Years Old

46% ABV

€115 – Available at Mitchell & Son

A reimagining of a classic last seen in the sixties, this premium single pot still Irish whiskey combines liquid of a minimum of 15 years of age, matured in a combination of casks pre-seasoned with Bourbon, Oloroso Sherry and Marsala.

A present to wow twice: first when they unwrap it, and then when they taste it!

Recently-Launched Irish Spirits to Dazzle and Gift this ChristmasTeeling Whiskey Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey

46% ABV

€55 – Available at Celtic Whiskey Shop, James Fox

The first Irish whiskey distilled in Dublin in nearly five decades is set to become a collectible. It is Teeling’s first commercial release from their Dublin 8 distillery, it was aged in a combination of virgin oak, ex-Bourbon and ex-wine casks.

The bottle to share with someone that will appreciate a liquid piece of history.

Recently-Launched Irish Spirits to Dazzle and Gift this ChristmasIrishman Founders Reserve Caribbean Cask Finish

46% ABV

€63.95 – Available at Celtic Whiskey Shop

This limited edition blend combines single pot still and single malt whiskeys aged in ex-Bourbon barrels and finished in Chairman’s Reserve Rum for six months. This Caribbean “holiday” gives it very pleasant notes of mellow, tropical flavours.

One to treat the adventurous whiskey lover in your life.

Pearse Lyons Distillery 5 Year Old Single Malt

46% ABV

€76.95 – Available at Celtic Whiskey Shop, Pearse Lyons Distillery, Mitchell & Son

This limited release was launched this summer and very proudly, the producers celebrated that the liquid comes from their own stills.

Smooth and beautifully balanced, this gold medal winner of Best New Irish Whiskey at this year’s Irish Whiskey Awards is a wonderful forecast of the great things to come from the Pearse Lyons Distillery.

Recently-Launched Irish Spirits to Dazzle and Gift this ChristmasKilbeggan Irish Whiskey Small Batch Rye

43% ABV

€55 – Available at Celtic Whiskey Shop, James Fox, O’Briens Wine

This innovative whiskey looks into the country’s distilling heritage and brings rye into today’s repertoire. Double distilled, it boats the highest content of rye that a modern Irish whiskey has in its mash (approximately 30 per cent).

This translates in a notable spiciness that makes of it the best of both worlds: the pleasant roundness of Irish whiskey with a piquant kick often reserved for its North American cousins.

Recently-Launched Irish Spirits to Dazzle and Gift this ChristmasMidleton Very Rare Vintage Release 2018

40% ABV

€180 – Available at Celtic Whiskey Shop, James Fox, Mitchell & Son

The 35th edition of this luxurious Irish whiskey combines outstanding rare single pot still and single grain whiskeys from the Midleton Distillery. The liquid evolves in lightly charred ex-Bourbon casks for between 12 to 28 years. Elegant and well reounded, it’s a complex array of nuts, sweet spices, dry fruit and a delicate herbacious touch.

A splendid present, for when you really want to impress.

JJ Corry The Flintlock 16 Year Old Single Malt Limited Edition

46% ABV

To reserve a bottle, contact The Chapel Gate Irish Whiskey Co

A pioneer in bringing back the art of whiskey bonding to the Irish scene, The Chappel Gate Whiskey Co has now dazzled with an award-winner (Best Irish Single Malt over 13 years, Irish Whiskey Awards 2018). A very limited edition, with only 650 bottles being released.

Ex-Bourbon casks were used for a blend that has a mellow start and then surprises with a lovely parade of spices and toast.

Recently-Launched Irish Spirits to Dazzle and Gift this ChristmasFercullen Premium Blend Irish Whiskey

40% ABV

€44 – Available at Celtic Whiskey Shop, Mitchell & Son

One in a series of three recently launched whiskeys from the Powerscourt Distillery and made by award-winning Master Distiller Noel Sweeney. The other two including Fercullen 10-Year Old Single Grain Whiskey and Fercullen 14-Year-Old Single Malt Whiskey.

It’s a smooth combination of aged malt and grain whiskeys, with a pleasant balance between citrus peel, honey and toasted notes.

The Dead Rabbit Irish Whiskey

44% ABV

€54 – Available at Celtic Whiskey Shop, Drinkstore.ie, O’Briens Wine, L. Mulligan Whiskey Shop

The happy result of a collaboration between Sean Muldoon and Jack McGarry from the multi award-winning namesake bar in New York and Master Distiller Darryl McNally from Dublin Liberties Distillery. This five year old blend was launched to celebrate the bar’s fifth anniversary. It’s matured in ex-Bourbon casks and finished in virgin American oak casks.

A smooth sipper that will be great either on its own or as part of premium cocktails inspired in the bar’s favourites.

Tullamore Dew XO Caribbean Rum Cask Finish

43% ABV

€63 – Available at Celtic Whiskey Shop

This recent addition to the Tullamore Dew family is finished in first-fill XO Carribean rum casks which previously held Demerara rum. A caramel and vanilla palate starts off with a sweet feel, and keeps going with a mellow assortment of dry fruits and ripe mangoes.

An innovative and appealing treat that brings a lovely tropical warmth to the Tullamore we know and love.

The Sexton Single Malt Irish Whiskey

40% ABV

€45 – Available at Celtic Whiskey Shop

This triple-distileld Irish whiskey ages for four years in ex-Oloroso Sherry casks. Its master blender, Alex Thomas, begun her career at The Old Bushmills Distillery, where she had the opportunity to learn from the mush admired distiller Colum Egan.

Its very unusual looking bottle it’s a reason to pick it up, its pleasant smoothness is a reason to return to it.

Recently-Launched Irish Spirits to Dazzle and Gift this ChristmasHa’Penny Irish Whiskey

43% ABV

€49.95 – available at Celtic Whiskey Shop, O’Briens Wine, Drinkstore.ie, L. Mulligan Whiskey Shop, SuperValu, James Fox

Another recent creation from the Pearse Lyons Distillery, this blended Irish whiskey is aromatic and mellow. A combination of liquid matured in four different casks (Port Pipe finished malt, First fill Bourbon barrel malt, Sherry Butt grain and a double-charred barrel grain), it is a balanced crowd-pleaser.

One modern Irish whiskey that punches above its pricepoint.

Recently-Launched Irish Spirits to Dazzle and Gift this ChristmasTipperary Boutique Distillery Single Malt Irish Whiskey Rioja Wine Finish

58.5% ABV

€85 – Available at Celtic Whiskey Shop

The diversity in the choices of cask to mature and finish Irish whiskeys is unprecedented. This experimental single cask release is a rare sight, and a sip with character. At cask strenght, it’s not one to quickly gulp, but a sipper with toasted hazelnuts, cedar, dry fruits and dates among its rich notes.

One to seek for those with a thirst for the unusual.

Recently-Launched Irish Spirits to Dazzle and Gift this ChristmasChinnery Gin

43% ABV

€49.95 – Available at Celtic Whiskey Shop, Molloy’s Liquor Stores, Mitchell & Son

Inspired by the Old China Trade and named after the painter who captured its unique colours and instants, this Irish gin pays homage to the past yet offers a very modern and refined example of what Dublin Dry Gin is all about today. Delicate botanicals from the far East grace the juniper backgground with an exotic perfume.

A beautiful gin to awaken your wanderlust and inspire your senses.

Glendalough Rose Gin 

37.5% ABV

€37 – Available at Celtic Whiskey Shop

This pink gin is an elegant and floral tipple, far from the overly sweet tyles that sometimes carry the rosy tone. It’s made with three varieties of rose (Wild Rose, Heritage Rose and Damask Rose) and it offers a delicate and fragrant profile in which the petals and the juniper find a happy equilibrium.

One to give to the G&T enthusiast you want to surprise this Christmas!

Recently-Launched Irish Spirits to Dazzle and Gift this ChristmasSausage Tree Pure Irish Vodka

43% ABV

€48.95 – Available at Celtic Whiskey Shop, O’Briens Wine, Martin’s Off Licence, Drinstore.ie, Mitchell & Son

From the boundary-pushing team behind the popular Drumshanbo Gunpowder Gin, comes this premium Irish vodka. Made from Irish grain and distilled with the fruit from the often nicknamed “sausage tree”, along with wild Irish nettle.

A high-quality vodka with a smooth, fresh, neutral palate and a show-stopping presentation.

Recently-Launched Irish Spirits to Dazzle and Gift this ChristmasBlacks Spiced Irish Rum

40% ABV

€64.99 – Available at Celtic Whiskey Shop McHugh’s, Martin’s Off Licence, Drinkstore.ie

This unique product was launched earlier this year by Black’s Distillery. The rum is distilled and matured in Ireland, with molasses coming from Guatemala. This small-batch, limited edition innovation is seasoned with seven different spices to give it a warm, intense flavour.

One for those thinking outside of the box and looking for a present that is Irish but a little different.

FEATURE BY GABY GUEDEZ

Gaby ProfileGabriela’s passion for writing is only matched by her love for food and wine. Journalist, confectioner and sommelier, she fell in love with Ireland years ago and moved from Venezuela to Dublin in 2014.

Since then, she has written about and worked in the local food scene, and she’s determined to discover and share the different traditions, flavours and places that have led Irish food and drink to fascinate her.

Gabriela Guédez Gabriela Guédez

 

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