The Drumshanbo Single Malt Irish Whiskey is the first single malt to be distilled in Connacht, Ireland, in over a century. It is produced at The Shed Distillery, founded by PJ Rigney in Drumshanbo, Co. Leitrim.
Key Features:
- Irish Origin: Distilled, matured, and bottled at The Shed Distillery in Drumshanbo, Co. Leitrim, Ireland.
- Single Malt: Made from 100% malted Irish barley.
- Triple Distilled: Following traditional Irish methods in custom-built medieval copper pot stills.
- Cask Maturation: Primarily matured in first-fill Kentucky Bourbon casks, which are often hand-selected by Head Distiller Brian Taft. Some releases, like the "Galánta" edition, also see maturation or finishing in Sherry Oloroso and Marsala wine casks.
- Non-Chill Filtered: Generally bottled without chill filtration to retain maximum flavor.
- Natural Colour: Often presented with its natural color.
- ABV: Typically bottled around 43% to 46% ABV.
Tasting Notes (can vary slightly between releases):
- Nose: Often presents aromas of honey, roasted nuts, sweet apple, vanilla, caramel, brioche, satsuma, dried apricot, and warm pot spice. Some detect hints of sandalwood and polished oak.
- Palate: Generally offers a creamy and full-bodied mouthfeel with flavors of honeycomb, candied ginger, waxy citrus peels, mocha, caramelized peanuts, pear, apple, and a balance of sweet and spice notes.
- Finish: Typically elegant and lingering with notes of spice, sweetness, toasted oak, and sometimes a creamy vanilla character.
Overall Impression:
Drumshanbo Single Malt is a well-regarded Irish whiskey known for its balanced and complex character. The use of quality Irish barley, triple distillation, and maturation in carefully selected casks contributes to a smooth and flavorful spirit with a unique creamy texture, often attributed to the inclusion of Irish Barra oats in the mash bill of their Single Pot Still expressions, although the Single Malt uses 100% malted barley.
Awards:
- Gold Medal: San Diego International Wine & Spirits Challenge (2025) for the Single Pot Still.
- Silver Medal: New York World Spirits Competition (2024) for the Single Malt - Galánta Release and the Single Pot Still.
- Silver Medal: San Francisco World Spirits Competition (2024) for the Single Malt - Galánta Release.
- "World Top 20 Whiskey" in 2020 by Whisky Advocate for their Single Pot Still.
