Skellig Six18 premium Irish spirits unveils its first whiskey release

Limited release Irish whiskey is matured in ex-bourbon barrels before being finished in Pedro Ximénez Sherry casks

Skellig Six18 Premium Irish Spirits proudly unveil its first release in the Six18 Step Collection of Irish whiskeys, Skellig Triple Cask Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey.

The limited release Irish whiskey is matured in ex-bourbon barrels before being finished in Pedro Ximénez Sherry casks, paying homage to the centuries of maritime trade between the Skellig Coast and European ports. Some of this whiskey was also briefly finished in a former peated cask to give it the slightest hint of peat.

The resulting whiskey, matured at the Skellig Six18 maturation warehouse, reflects the geography and aromas of the rugged Skellig Coast, with its hectares of raised peatlands, a triple distilled, triple cask Atlantic Aged Irish Whiskey.   An unaged statement, the youngest whiskey in this expression is six years old.

Limited to just 1,000 bottles on its first release, this whiskey celebrates the most unique style of traditional Irish Whiskey – Single Pot Still. The use of both malted and unmalted barley in the mash bill combined with triple distillation in copper pot stills gives this whiskey the enduring silkiness for which the Single Pot Still style has become globally renowned. Skellig Six18 Distillery will release this limited-edition expression each year in April timing.

This first release in the Six18 Step Collection of Irish Whiskey have seen Skellig Six18 Premium Irish Spirits source distillate from a leading Irish distillery, and work with key suppliers to mature, blend and bottle top class Irish Whiskeys at the Skellig Six18 Distillery while awaiting the installation of a whiskey plant on site.  The full whiskey operation at Skellig Six18 and maturation of their own distillate on site will be running in 2024 and will be matured there on site by the Atlantic.

Speaking about their first whiskey release in the Six18 Step Collection, June O’Connell, founder and director of Skellig Six18 Distillery said: “We recognise the importance of our location in everything we do at SkelligSix18.  We have an enormous sense of pride in our place, the land the sea and the people in our community.

“This is coupled with an obligation to live up to the hard-earned reputation and tradition in Ireland of distilling world class spirits.  We have been ruthlessly focused on quality since the start of our journey which has included the launch of a multi award-winning gin, a world class visitor centre and distillery experience, and now the release our first whiskeys.  We are immensely proud of our Irish born and matured and Atlantic aged whiskeys of exceptional quality and taste.”

Bottled at 43% ABV, Skellig Triple Cask Single Pot Still is a tranquil whiskey with lovely hints of papaya, fresh jalapenos, juicy apples, and wafting smoke.

Skellig Six18 Distillery have also released a small batch blend, Skellig Small Batch Irish Whiskey alongside the launch of Skellig Triple Cask Single Pot Still.  Skellig Small Batch Irish Whiskey is a premium blend of Pot Still and Grain Irish Whiskey, finished in Pedro Ximénez Sherry casks after an initial maturation in ex-bourbon barrels, with casks carefully chosen from those maturing at the Skellig Six18 maturation warehouse.

Bottled at 40% ABV, the presence of Pot Still Whiskey in Skellig Small Batch Irish Whiskey gives this blend depth and balance, with the Pedro Ximénez Sherry cask finish adding a rich sweetness to the taste profile, with rich brazil and macadamia nuts with a layered complexity of caramel and chocolate, giving a long and comforting finish.

Skellig Atlantic Aged Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey retails at €60 RRP and Skellig Small Batch Sherry Cask Finish retails at €45 RRP.

Both are available from the Skellig Six18 Distillery and Visitor Centre and online at www.skelligsix18distillery.ie