Ballykeefe Distillery’s first pot still whiskey release
Ballykeefe’s First Release cask strength Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey presentation box.
The distillery, built in 2016, began production in 2017 and is now releasing for sale 350 bottles at cask strength and 700 bottles at 46% ABV drawn from seven casks of the premier distillations.
Located on the Ging family’s beef and tillage farm, Ballykeefe Distillery is located 15 minutes outside Kilkenny City. The distillery was introduced to diversify operations in response to longstanding issues and uncertainty in the farming industry.
Ballykeefe is triple-distilled from barley grown on the farm, making it a 100% grain-to-glass operation.
“The launch of the Ballykeefe whiskey is the culmination of over 25 years’ work for our family,” said Morgan Ging, Owner of Ballykeefe Distillery, “In 2016 we took the decision to adapt our traditional farming business and revive the longstanding tradition of small family-farm distilleries in Ireland.
“Our operations are centred around our unique, high quality product, which is produced using leading technology to ensure eco-friendly practices and zero off-farm waste.”
Rare Whiskey Collector Dick Manogue commented, “The limited release is a collector’s dream in terms of presentation, rarity and future value for those who hold on to their bottle rather than drinking it. Each cask is individually bottled, with both the cask and bottle number handwritten on the label of each bottle.”
Each bottle has been hand-engraved by Kilkenny Crystal, Ireland’s oldest family-owned crystal studio workshop and mounted in a presentation box with a certificate of authenticity. The cask-strength bottles come with a larger presentation box which includes two uniquely designed hand-cut crystal glass tumblers.
From today, the single farm, single estate and single cask whiskey will be available online and in store with Ballykeefe’s local sole retail partner the Wine Centre.
Ballykeefe’s pot still whiskey is distilled from a mixture of malted and unmalted barely, which traces its accidental origins back to the early 1800s when efforts were made to reduce the use of malted barley when it was subject to punitive taxes imposed by the British.
Morgan adds, “This is a story of necessity and typical Irish ingenuity which gave birth to an especially smooth and flavoursome whiskey”.
Ballykeefe has been recognised for its commitment to sustainability and has won multiple awards at local and industry level.
In addition to this, the distillery and farm operations are a flagship member of Bord Bia’s Origin Green program.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ballykeefedistillery/
