Updated October 2021: The County Carlow-based distillery Walsh Whiskey launched an Irishman Whiskey in time for the holidays in 2020, and earlier this month, the company unveiled a first in the Irish whiskey industry with the development of its Icewine finished whiskey.
The 2020 Irishman Founder’s Reserve – Oloroso Sherry Cask Finish is a triple-distilled whiskey that was distilled in copper pots and aged in American oak bourbon barrels before being finished in Oloroso casks for an additional 12 months.
The limited-edition release is currently available in the U.S., Canada, Russia, and of course in Ireland.
There are several whiskeys in The Irishman brand.
They include the following:
- The Irishman Cask Strength Whiskey, distilled three times and carefully aged in American oak casks;
- The Irishman Single Malt Whiskey, a classic Irish malt, triple-distilled and aged in oak bourbon and Oloroso sherry casks;
- The Irishman 12-Year-Old Single Malt;
- The Irishman 17-Year-Old Whiskey;
- The Irishman 12-Year-Old Marsala Cask Finish;
- The Irishman Founder’s Reserve Marsala Cask Finish, and
- The Irishman Founder’s Reserve – Caribbean Cask Finish brand.
The company's Icewine Cask Finish was produced in collaboration with the Inniskillin Winery in Niagara, Ontario, a popular winery that uses hogshead casks.
A dozen casks were shipped to Ireland in March 2020 where they were filled with the Writers' Tears Copper Pot whiskey.
The limited-edition release is a unique triple-distilled whiskey that was finished for an additional 12 months in icewine hogsheads, before being bottled at 46% ABV.
The new whiskey has a floral and nutty oak taste to it, along with a fruity finish.
Expect to see it on shelves in North America or online in early November 2021, retailing at $99.95 CAN, $84.99 U.S., and €70, Ireland.
The Writers' Tears Icewine Cask Finish whiskey is available exclusively from the Celtic Whiskey Shop in Dublin.
Walsh Whiskey was established in 1999 by husband and wife Bernard and Rosemary Walsh.
The company has produced a range of 12 whiskeys under The Irishman brand, in addition to another popular brand, Writers’ Tears.
Walsh Whiskey also produces the Hot Irishman Irish coffee and The Irishman Irish Cream liqueur.