COOLEY LAUNCH NEW DISTILLERY AND NEW 15 YEAR OLD BLEND! The first new Irish distillery in 20 years was recently opened by owners of the Cooley Distillery. On 19th March at the old Kilbeggan distillery an ancient and tiny refurbished still was fired back into life. This was the first time in 50 years that whiskey had been made at the old distillery. Cooley have released a celebratory bottle of Kilbeggan 15 Year Old. This is a limited edition of just 1000 bottles and is packaged in an impressive square/flat bottle.

Kilbeggan Irish Whiskey.

Kilbeggan is Gaelic for "little church". What is now an idyllic village in the heart of Ireland was for many years an active religious and learning centre built around a monastery.

Legend has it that monks of the 12th century began distilling Uisce Beatha (water of life) or whiskey using the barley from the surrounding fields and the waters of the Brosna river and heating the stills with turf from the local peat boglands.

What is certain though, is that the first licensed whiskey distillery in the world, John Locke's, began production in Kilbeggan in 1757.

The whiskey produced in Kilbeggan was famous throughout Ireland by the 19th Century. The building of a canal to the town led to the development of exports to lands as far away as Australia and Argentina.

Drawing on centuries of tradition and craft, Kilbeggan Irish Whiskey is distilled from the pure clear water and barley of Ireland, gently matured for long years in oak casks resting in ancient warehouses and skillfully blended to create a whiskey of unique smoothness, balance and character.

Nose: Smooth and gentle, well rounded, sweet and malty with a hint of spice.

Taste: Full, well balanced, sweet and soft start with an intriguing bitter-sweet character which endures.

Serve neat, with water, on the rocks or with mixers such as cola, soda water, ginger ale or lemonade.

Particularly recommended for Irish coffee where its malty nose comes through to give a truly unique and beautiful aroma.

Tasting notes by Jim Murray, renowned Whiskey Commentator  

Nose:                                      Traces of sweet oloroso plus some sweet malt that over powers the clean grain

Taste:                                     There is an abundant lushness, where the malt moves freely around the palate, gathering honey notes along the way.

Finish:                         The dryness purveys with some genuine oaky tones coming through

Serving Suggestions:             Kilbeggan Irish Whiskey can be served neat, on the rocks or with water to taste.  It is also excellent ingredient for cocktails and perfect with mixers. 

Awards:                                  This remarkably smooth Irish Whiskey has won numerous medals in two major competitions which include: 1 Silver (1995), 4 Bronze (1996, 1998, 1999,1999)

Endorsements:                       “A highly delicious and dangerously more-ish whiskey which will remain in the taste-buds”

Jim Murray, author of Classic Irish Whiskey.

“The cornerstone of Cooley Distillery – Kilbeggan is a robust blend of malts and grains offering sweet maltiness in the taste and flavour.  This reflects the combination of well aged grain and carefully selected malt”. Noel Sweeney, Cooley Master Blender.

The official web-site is www.cooleywhiskey.com

Send mail to brittonmj@clear.net.nz with questions or comments about this web site.
Last modified: March 26, 2010