Irelands only independent whiskey distiller, Cooley Distillery, has won many awards throughout the years with the most recent being named Distillery of the Year by Malt Advocate in February 2010. Cooley was established in 1987 with a very clear vision of restoring some of the ancient brands and distilling techniques of Irish whiskey.
Tyrconnell Single Malt Irish Whiskey
Named after an Irish race horse that won a classic horse race with odds of 100 to 1 in 1876; The Watt Distillery (know owned by Cooley Distillery) wanted to celebrate this great win with a special commemorative Tyrconnell label showcasing the horse and this label is still used today.
Distilled in the old Irish tradition, this pure pot still single malt whiskey uses only the most natural Irish ingredients of barley and fresh spring water. The resulting whiskey is then left to peacefully mature in oak casks. It is from this maturation that the "whiskey becomes smoother, more flavorsome, and draws its golden color from the cask."
It has a golden yellow color and an aroma that is full, fruity and citrus with a spiciness taste. Well structured with honey notes and the tang of oranges and lemons. There is a strong malt presence that is balanced well with the oily sweetness on the finish.
Connemara Peated Single Malt Irish Whiskey
It is the only Irish peated single malt and it is inspired by the ancient Irish distilling traditions of drying malted barley over peat fires. It is double distilled in two small pot stills and then left to mature for many years in American Oak casks. The combination of old and young whiskey creates a rich malt with fruit flavors that have vanilla undertones and a deep full bodied peat essence.
Connemara is lightly golden in color with smoky peatness that is balanced by a heather floralness with hints of honey and oak on the nose. It has a silky smooth taste with a honey sweet start, followed by more complex aromas of fruit and malt that gives way to an intensifying full peat flavor. With a long finish of golden honey notes and deep caramel peat spreading across the palate; there are hints of chocolate, vanilla and oak at the very end.
Firefly Maple Ridge will be having a complimentary tasting of Tyrconnell and Connemara Irish Whiskey on Saturday, March 13th from 3pm-7pm.
