Dunville’s does it!

Keynote speaker Gerard Garland presented Awards

 

Dunville’s 21 Year-Old Palo Cortado Sherry Cask Finish 1197 emerged as the Best Irish Whiskey of the Year at the recent Irish Whiskey Awards.

Both emerging and established Irish whiskey producers and patrons were honoured at the Awards which took place at the Pearse Lyons Distillery in Dublin’s city centre before Christmas.

The evening commenced with a tour of the distillery and a drinks reception hosted by the Pearse Lyons Distillery co-founders and team.

Keynote speaker and Brand Engagement & Advocacy Team Manager at Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard Gerard Garland presented the awards which are now in their ninth year and span over 19 categories.

Judging of the awards took place earlier in the Summer across the country with the organisers Celtic Whiskey of Celtic Whiskey Shop on Dublin’s Dawson Street hosting several blind-tastings in Dublin’s Three Storey bar on Stephen’s Green while co-ordinating tastings throughout Ireland with members of the Celtic Whiskey Club, the Irish Whiskey Societies of Dublin and Dingle, the Cork Whiskey Society, the Waterford Whiskey Society, the Kilkenny Whiskey Guild, the Ennis Whiskey Club, the 1875 Whiskey Club, the Carlow Whiskey Society and the Belfast Whiskey Club. All results were audited and verified by William Lavelle of the Irish Whiskey Association.

This year’s awards also saw the return of the White Spirits and Whiskey Liqueurs categories for which a select panel of local bar staff, mixologists and industry experts blind-tasted and scored Irish Gins, Poitins, Vodkas, Cream Liqueurs, Whiskey Liqueurs and Other Irish Spirits.

“We’re delighted to celebrate the excellence and innovation in the Irish Whiskey and Spirits industry this evening, all whilst raising funds for our incredible charity partner Mary’s Meals,” said Awards Orgainser Ally Alpine, Managing Director of Celtic Whiskey Shop and Organiser of Whiskey Live Dublin, commenting on the Awards, “There are more than 64 million primary school-age children out of school around the world. In order to survive, they have to work or beg. Even if they do make it into the classroom, hunger affects their ability to learn. The money raised through the Irish Whiskey Awards tonight ensures that 629 children are fed for a whole school year at the Kapatamoyo school in Zambia”.

Mary’s Meals feeds two million children every day whilst ensuring they attend school. Tickets for the awards were priced at €70 with all proceeds from the night donated to sponsor the Kapatomoyo School in Zambia.

The winners of the Irish Whiskey Awards were as follows:

Overall Winner- Irish Whiskey of the Year 2022

Best Irish Whiskey of the Year – Dunville’s 21 Year-Old Palo Cortado Sherry Cask Finish Cask No 1197.

Categories

Whiskey Liqueur

Winner: Muldoon Whiskey Liqueur

Gold: The Whistler Irish Honey Whiskey

Gold: St Patrick’s Orange Whiskey Liqueur

Cream Liqueur

Winner: St Patrick’s Irish Cream Liqueur

Gold: Merrys White Chocolate Irish Cream Liqueur

Gold: Five Farms Irish Cream Liqueur

Poitin

Winner: Boann ‘New Born’ New Make Spirit

Gold: Micil Heritage Poitín

Gold: Bán Poitín

Vodka

Winner: Zesty Citrus Vodka

Gold: Istil 38 Pot Still Vanilla Vodka

Gold: Istil 38 Pot Still Vodka

Gin

Winner: Silks Irish Dry Gin

Gold: Sling Shot Gin

Gold: Method & Madness Gin

Best Other Irish Spirit

Winner: Aqua Vitae

Gold: 1848 Apple Brandy

Single Pot Still 11 and Under

Winner: Two Stacks Polorais II- Red Ice Wine Finish

Gold: Writers’ Tears Single Pot Still

Gold: Old Comber Single Pot Still

Single Pot Still 12 Year and Over

Winner: Redbreast 15 Year-Old

Gold: Powers John’s Lane 12 Year-Old

Gold: Redbreast 12 Year-Old

Single Malt 11 Years and Younger

Winner: Dunville’s 10 Year-Old PX

Gold: Croithlí, Coillín Darach Oak Series – Quercus Robur

Gold: Shortcross Peated Single Malt

Single Malt 12 – 15 Year Old

Winner: Jack Ryan Finisher’s Touch 12 Year-Old

Gold: Pearse Lyons ‘Founder’s Choice’ 12 Year-Old

Gold: The Irishman 12 Year-Old

Single Malt 16 Years & Older

Winner: Dunville’s 20 Year-Old Oloroso Sherry Cask

Gold: Fercullen 21 Year-Old

Gold: Clan Colla 20 Year-Old PX Finish 46%

Blended No Age Statement

Winner: Micil Inverin Small Batch

Gold: Foxes Bow

Gold: Michael Collins The Prediction

Blended Age Statement

Winner: Jameson 18 Year-Old

Gold: McConnell’s 5 Year-Old

Gold: Pearse Lyons ‘The Original’ 5 Year-Old

Blended Limited Release

Winner: Teeling Small Batch Collaboration – Stiggins’ Fancy Pineapple

Gold: Jameson Black Barrel Proof

Gold: Fercullen Estate Series ‘The Italian Gardens’

 

Single Cask 11 Years & Younger

Winner: Teeling Single Pot Still Chesnut PX Cask No 29842

Gold: The Whistler P.X. I Love You 9 Year-Old

Gold: Green Spot Greek Wine Cask

Single Cask 12 Years & Older

Winner: Dunville’s 21 Year-Old Palo Cortado Sherry Cask Finish Cask No. 1197

Gold: Powers 15 Year-Old Single Cask No. 10099

Gold: Dunville’s 20 Year-Old Temple Bar PX Sherry  Cask No. 1651

Cask Strength

Winner: Redbreast 27 Year-Old Single Pot Still

Gold: Shortcross Rye & Malt Cask Strength

Gold: St. Patrick’s Cask Strength

 

Single Grain

Winner: Celtic Cask Daichead a Dó (42) 2009 Anima Negra Cask

Gold: The Bridge Single Grain- Killunure Release

Gold: Egan’s Vintage Grain

New Irish Whiskey

Winner: Pearse Lyons Genesis Release

Gold: The Busker Single Pot Still

Drinks Industry Ireland was the event’s media partner as it has been for many years and key sponsors include the Irish Whiskey Association and Tuath Irish Whiskey Glass.

The majority of the award-winning whiskeys and spirits named above are available for purchase from Celtic Whiskey Shop on Dawson Street or online at www.celticwhiskeyshop.com.

 

Dunville’s named Whiskey Of The Year

Dunville’s Irish Whiskey, The Spirit of Belfast, picked up the coveted Whiskey of the Year title with its single cask bottling of 21 year-old Palo Cortado sherry cask finish whiskey.

The overall Best Whiskey award was one of seven wins for The Echlinville Distillery at Irish whiskey’s most prestigious awards evening.

The County Down family-owned distillery is home to Dunville’s Irish Whiskey, the night’s biggest winner, with five awards. Echlinville also picked up two additional accolades for Old Comber Whiskey and Bán Poitín.

“We’re delighted with seven major wins at the Irish Whiskey Awards and for Dunville’s to have secured the title of Whiskey of the Year” said the Echlinville Distillery’s Jarlath Watson, “an accolade that further cements The Spirit of Belfast among the world’s best whiskeys.

“These awards are particularly special to us as they are judged by members of whiskey clubs and societies the length and breadth of Ireland. It’s an honour to be recognised by our friends and colleagues within the Irish whiskey family.

“When you consider the high standard of whiskeys being produced all around Ireland and the fact that the industry has long been dominated by major global brands, it’s quite an achievement for an independent distillery like Echlinville to bring home seven awards including the Overall Winner’s trophy.”

Dunville’s Irish Whiskey is distributed by Hi-Spirits Ireland and the winning Dunville’s Cask 1197 21 Year-Old Palo Cortado Sherry Cask Finish will be available soon.

 

istil 38 wins two Gold medals at Irish Whiskey Awards

It may have only launched in April of last year, but istil 38 Superior Irish Vodka has had an exceptionally positive year. With strong nationwide distribution around the country and two full-time brand ambassadors, bars have been quick to take in all three of the brand’s flavours to mix them into classic cocktails and new creations.

Co-owner and the brand’s Managing Director Shane Davey now has another reason to celebrate with his team. At the Irish Whiskey Awards, istil 38 Superior Irish Vodka won two Gold medals for its Classic Irish Vodka and its Vanilla Irish Vodka.

“I’m thrilled that istil 38 Superior Irish Vodka has picked up two such illustrious awards,” said Shane, “We’ve always maintained that it’s a remarkably well-produced spirit that goes so nicely into cocktails. Now we’ve an official verdict from our industry’s peers that has given us two Gold medals from the highly-acclaimed and totally independent Irish Whiskey Awards. We celebrated with an Irish Espresso Martini!”

 

The Busker

The Busker is an Irish whiskey produced at the world-class Royal Oak Distillery in County Carlow and it includes all four types of Irish whiskey (Single Grain, Single Pot Still, Single Malt and Triple Cask). The Busker Single Collection, represented by the three traditional Irish whiskeys (Single Grain, Single Pot Still and Single Malt), is produced under one roof at the distillery. Each whiskey boasts an unmistakable taste profile with nuances ranging from Vanilla and Oak to rich spicy notes.

The Busker Blend – Triple Cask Triple Smooth – combines Grain with a high percentage of Malt and Pot whiskey. Matured and finished in three different casks (Bourbon, Sherry and Marsala), this whiskey brings new meaning to smoothness in Irish Whiskey.

Royal Oak Distillery places huge focus on quality. Proof of this can be found in the results of the TAG Global Spirits Awards where The Busker Triple Cask Triple Smooth won Double Gold.

The Busker Single Malt and The Busker Pot Still won Silver at the World Whiskies Awards.

Four medals were awarded at the International Spirits Challenge: The Busker Single Grain won Gold, with The Busker Single Malt, Pot Still and Triple Cask winning Silver.

Moreover, The Busker Single Pot Still was awarded Gold in Irish Whiskey of the Year under the category of ‘Single Pot Still – 11 and Under’ in 2021 and was recently awarded Gold in New Irish Whiskeys in 2022.

Distributed by Barry & Fitzwilliam.

Muldoon Irish Whiskey Liqueur

Muldoon Irish Whiskey Liqueur won the Overall Liqueur Trophy at this year’s Irish Whiskey Awards. Muldoon has a cult following and is a well-kept secret in parts of Ireland but much-loved in Germany and some far-flung places around the globe.

With a string of international awards for taste and quality, this unique Irish spirit is a hugely versatile weapon in any bartender’s rack.  It can be enjoyed on its own as a simple liqueur, as a shot, as a mixer or a cocktail ingredient.

Added to that it is it’s Vegan-friendly, gluten- and dairy-free and at 25% ABV it ticks many of the current trend boxes.

It also makes for an indulgent liquid dessert and many chefs have enjoyed the benefits of using it in food.

Made with Irish whiskey and infused with toffee and Hazelnut flavours, Muldoon can also be mixed with whiskey to make a longer drink. We suggest a ratio of one part Muldoon to one part Whiskey. It has to be tried. To find out more go to www.anchorspirits.ie.

Triple-Distilled Celebration for Powerscourt Distillery at 2022 Icons of Whisky Ireland Awards

The 2022 edition of the Icons of Whisky Ireland Awards saw the Powerscourt Distillery team enjoy a triple celebration by taking home three awards.

Paul Corbett was awarded Master Distiller/Master Blender; Gerry Ginty accepted the award for Best Visitor Attraction 2023 for the Distillery Visitor Centre, while the In-House Food & Beverage Specialist Santina Kennedy was Highly Commended in the Campaign Innovator category. The Awards took place in Dublin’s Iveagh Garden Hotel.

This huge personal achievement for Paul Corbett as Master Distiller/Blender of the Year – Icon of Whisky Ireland means he’ll now go forward to London on the 30^th of March where he’ll be included in the ‘World’s Best Icons Competition’.

This is the first significant award for the Visitor Centre – Best Visitor Attraction –  a key milestone down to the wonderful work that all the Centre’s team do daily, ensuring visitors get the 5-star treatment at every touchpoint on their visit to Powerscourt Distillery.

Finally, Santina Kennedy’s High Commendation for Campaign Innovator is all down to Santina’s sterling work around the championing and promotion of the Fercullen Whiskey & the Local Food Pairing concept.

For further information on Powerscourt Distillery contact:

Caroline Gardiner 087-9186689 or caroline.gardiner@powerscourtdistillery.com.

 

 

Boann Distillery

 

County Meath’s Boann Distillery emerged as one of the winners at the Irish Whiskey Awards.

Boann clinched ‘Best Irish Gin’ for Silks Irish Dry Gin and ‘Best Irish Newmake Spirit/Poitín’ for the Boann ‘New Born’ New Make Spirit.

Launched last year and named after the jockeys’ silks worn at the famous Bellewstown racecourse in County Meath, Silks Gin is distilled by hand in small batches in its 500-litre custom copper pot still.

It contains 14 botanicals hand-foraged from the family’s Apple orchards.

Soon after launching, it won Gold at the Beverage Testing Institute awards in the US.

Boann’s ‘New Born’ New Make Spirit made history last year by becoming the first whiskey in Ireland to win an award for the best new make whiskey in the world at the World Whiskies Awards.

The Single Pot Still is a mash of 40% malted barley, 55% green barley, 3.75% oats and 1.25% rye.

Adding to the haul were three Golds for The Whistler PX I Love You Nine Year-Old Single Cask release, bottled exclusively for the Celtic Whiskey Shop, the soon-to-be-released 1848 Apple Brandy and The Whistler Irish Honey Liqueur.

www.boanndistillery.ie.

 

 

 

 

McConnell’s

 

 

The Gold Award for McConnell’s Irish Whisky in the Blended Age Statement category at the Irish Whiskey Awards rounded-off a hugely successful year for Belfast Distillery Company.

This year looks to be even more significant as construction rapidly progresses on its new distillery at Crumlin Road Gaol, North Belfast. Opening this Autumn it will welcome over 100,000 guests a year to J&J McConnell’s Distillery and Visitor Experience.

Three floors offer 1,000 sq m of distilling space and 1,700 sq m of experiential space.

The new home and headquarters is shaping-up to be a really positive addition to Belfast and Northern Ireland – and a milestone in the distilling sector here. As it expands its domestic and global footprint the team grows too.

The company recently recruited a new Master Distiller to oversee distillery operations and the supply of McConnell’s Irish Whisky. As the year progresses they will be adding more talent to our team at BDC.

The main goals will be: to see more and more people enjoy McConnell’s Irish Whisky both at the new J&J McConnell’s Distillery and abroad; to meet more Irish whiskey enthusiasts and partners around the world; to pick up a few more awards along the way – and most importantly, to continue building the team that’s excited to be playing its part in Bringing Distilling Back to Belfast.