Introduction
The brand name "Connemara" is derived from the renowned Connemara National Park, located in the western town of Galway in Ireland. This region is known for its rugged coastline, surrounded by lakes, and is famous for retaining the untouched beauty of Ireland's natural landscapes.
In the past, this area was also a peat mining site. While Irish whiskey is generally not associated with smoky flavors, traditional Irish whiskey did use peated malt.
The product name, Peated Single Malt "Connemara," is a nostalgic tribute to those times.
Production Process
Typically, Irish whiskey is made using both unmalted barley and malted barley as raw materials, and it is known for its triple distillation. Many Irish whiskeys have a light and delicate sweetness, offering a smooth drinking experience.
However, "Connemara" is the only peated single malt Irish whiskey that does not use unmalted barley. Instead, it employs peat (turf) to dry the malted barley and follows a double distillation process, similar to Scotch malt whisky.
There are two versions of "Connemara": a non-age statement expression and "Connemara 12 Year Old." It captivates those who are intrigued by its unique flavors.
"Connemara" uses peated malt and is crafted with the pristine soft water sourced from the Slieve Na Cloiche on the Cooley Mountains. By the way, the peat level of the malt is 14ppm.
Approximately 6.5 tons of malt are used per batch to obtain the wort. The wort is transferred to stainless steel fermentation vessels, where yeast is added and fermentation takes place for about two days, resulting in a wash with an alcohol content of approximately 8%. This wash is then distilled.
The pot stills consist of one wash still and one spirit still, a pair that performs double distillation. The new make spirit obtained through this double distillation process has an alcohol content of approximately 66%. This new make spirit possesses the characteristic of producing a lively and soft flavor profile through cask maturation.
All maturation casks used are bourbon barrels. The warehousing method at the Cooley Distillery utilizes the traditional Irish method of vertical stacking, which offers excellent storage capacity and operational efficiency.
The resulting "Connemara" can be described as more smoky than peaty. It has distinct characteristics that differentiate it from globally popular Islay malts like "Laphroaig" and "Bowmore," offering a rich and complex sensory experience.
Ireland, also known as the Emerald Isle, evokes images of lush green landscapes. While it remains supple and smooth, "Connemara," with its peat level of 14ppm or higher, offers a unique smokiness that sets it apart.
Comparing it to "Laphroaig" and "Bowmore" can be an interesting experience. Undoubtedly, the addition of this Irish peated single malt, "Connemara," brings a new dimension to the enjoyment of smoky flavors.
Cooley Distillery
Located approximately 67 miles north of the capital city Dublin, in the town of Dundalk, is known as Dún Dealgan in Irish. Situated near the border with Northern Ireland, one can reach Liverpool in Great Britain by crossing the Irish Sea in a boat.
In 1987, John Teeling acquired the facilities that were formerly a state-owned plant manufacturing spirits and alcohol fuels in the Cooley Peninsula to establish the Cooley Distillery. Teeling, who conducted historical research on Irish whiskey at Harvard University in the United States, made reviving the once thriving Irish brands a business concept.
The new distillery began producing whiskey using pot stills in 1989. Since it was originally an alcohol plant, the continuous stills for grain whiskey production were left intact, and grain whiskey is also produced there.
Various efforts have been made, and the Cooley Distillery has been hailed as a "revolutionary figure in Irish whiskey." They have expanded their product lineup, including "Connemara," as well as the single malt "Tyrconnell" and the blended whiskey "Kilbeggan." Although their history is relatively short, they have already received numerous awards at international spirits competitions, attracting attention.
Kilbeggan
In terms of maturation, not only within the Cooley Distillery but also at the Kilbeggan Distillery located in the central part of Ireland, part of the original spirit is matured. The town of Tullamore is approximately 1.5 hours west of the capital city Dublin, and Kilbeggan is a small village about 10 kilometers north of it.
The predecessor of the Kilbeggan Distillery is the Brusna Distillery (established in 1757), which is known as the oldest distillery among the identified distilleries that existed. In 1843, the Locke family acquired the distillery, and it became known as the Locke Distillery. While it had its glorious days, it ceased operations in 1953 and was left as it was. In 1988, the Cooley company became the trademark owner of the Locke Distillery and Kilbeggan, utilizing the warehouses and functioning as a whiskey museum with high historical value. Furthermore, since 2007, although on a small scale, distillation has resumed, and it has gained popularity as a boutique distillery.
The blended whiskey "Kilbeggan" revives the well-known brand from the era of the Brusna Distillery.
Product Introduction
Connemara
This whiskey is a blend of fresh 4-year-old malt, a fruity and vibrant 6-year-old malt, and an 8-year-old malt with vanilla sweetness derived from bourbon barrels. It stands out with its smoky character and fruity aroma, with hints of chocolate-like sweetness. It offers a complex yet smooth taste. It is recommended to enjoy it on the rocks or in a highball.
Color: A faintly greenish gold
Nose: Smoky, fresh fruits
Palate: Honey, vanilla, chocolate
Finish: Dry yet pleasantly spicy
Body: Light-Medium