Food

IPA-aged whiskey? Whatever next?

Two new limited edition whiskeys blend traditional methods with an alternative aging process

Jameson Caskmates IPA Edition is aged in casks previously seasoned with IPA while The Irishman Founder’s Reserve Florio Marsala Cask Finish spends 12 months in former Marsala casks

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John Wilson
Fri Sep 22 2017 - 12:00

Jameson Caskmates IPA Edition

A few years back, Jameson released Caskmates, a whiskey finished in casks that had also previously been seasoned with stout. It was the result of a conversation between a distiller from Jameson and a brewer from Franciscan Well in Cork. The whiskey was (is) unique and pretty good, too. Now, the same pair have come up with a limited IPA edition, made along the same lines.

Caskmates IPA is very different and quite delicious, with notes of  flowers, citrus and hops alongside the traditional oaky flavour of Jameson. There were 2,000 bottles produced, and available now for €38 from O’Briens, Jameson Distillery, Smithfield and Jameson Distillery, Midleton.

The Irishman Founder’s Reserve Florio Marsala Cask Finish

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Walsh Whiskey Distillery may not be the best-known name in Irish whiskey, but aficionados certainly hold the whiskeys in the highest regard. Bernard Walsh was one of the very first in the new wave of Irish whiskey producers, selecting and blending whiskeys made under a long-term contract with Irish Distillers.

The Irishman and Writer’s Tears, along with various limited editions, have been very successful. The new Walsh Distillery in Carlow, opened in 2016, is a joint venture with Italian sprit producer Illva Saronno, which in turn owns the Florio Marsala winery in Sicily. Together, they had the idea of finishing The Irishman’s Founders Reserve for 12 months in some of the Marsala barrels. The whiskey is excellent, full of sweet red fruits, vanilla spice, toasted nuts and tangy citrus peel. €70 a bottle from the Celtic Whiskey Shop, The Loop, Dublin Airport, and Walsh Whiskey Distillery, Royal Oak.