Latest news with #Boann
Irish Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Business
- Irish Daily Mirror
Boann Distillery helps craft a landmark blended whisky to celebrate The British and Irish Lions partnership
Five distilleries across Ireland and Britain have come together to produce a luxury blended whiskey named after the year of the Lions' founding: 1888 The producers involved are Co. Meath's Boann, Echlinville (Northern Ireland), Cameronbridge (Scotland), White Peak (England) and Penderyn (Wales), each bringing a unique character to a truly unified dram. With just 1,888 individually numbered bottles released, 1888 aims to offer fans a tangible piece of Lions and whisky history in this rare collaboration. It was launched to mark Scottish company, Patron Saint Whisky's appointment as an Official Supplier to The British & Irish Lions Men's Team. Patron Saint collaborates with esteemed distilleries across Ireland and Britain to create exceptional whiskies that celebrate heritage and unity. "We are immensely proud to contribute to the creation of 1888,' said Pat Cooney, founder of family-run Boann Distillery. 'This whisky is more than a blend - it's a symbol of unity and the exceptional craftsmanship found in each of the four unions. 'The Lions represent the pinnacle of sporting achievement and tradition, and it's an honour for Boann to be part of this iconic partnership." Crafted using an array of special casks – including Oloroso Sherry, Mourvèdre, Red Wine, and First-fill Bourbon – 1888 delivers a luxurious sensory experience. On the nose, it reveals sweet vanilla, tangy citrus and baked fruit, followed by layers of summer berries, butterscotch and lightly toasted nuts on the palate. The 2025 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia began with a home fixture in Dublin on June 20, with Andy Farrell's men suffering defeat to Argentina in a thrilling tour match. A series of high-profile matches Down Under this month will culminate in a three-Test series against the Wallabies, starting Saturday, July 19. The release of 1888 has been supported by Lions legends John Rutherford and Craig Chalmers, both praising its craftsmanship and its connection to the spirit of the Lions. 'Just as every Lion who pulls on that jersey contributes to its enduring legacy, every dram of '1888' reflects the careful crafting and dedication that defines a Lion,' said Rutherford. Ben Calveley, CEO of The British & Irish Lions, said, 'I am pleased to welcome Patron Saint to the Lions family and hope that our fans enjoy their unique whisky whilst they cheer on the team this summer.' To purchase one of the limited bottles of 1888, visit
Irish Daily Mirror
07-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Daily Mirror
Boann Distillery unveils Whistler Triple Oak Irish Whiskey in new eco-friendly bottle
Boann Distillery has launched the latest addition to its acclaimed Whistler Whiskey range – The Whistler Triple Oak Small Batch Irish Whiskey. This new expression marks a significant step forward for the Co Meath drinks firm, not only in craftsmanship but also in sustainability, debuting in a newly designed bespoke bottle which is 20% lighter than its predecessor. The rest of the Whistler range will also adopt this improved bottle design as Boann Distillery continues its commitment to sustainable, eco-conscious packaging solutions. The Whistler Triple Oak Irish Whiskey is a celebration of threes – Triple Distilled for a signature Irish smoothness, a Triple Blend of Boann-distilled Single Pot Still and Single Malt whiskeys alongside Single Grain whiskey, and Triple Cask matured in Bourbon, Oloroso Sherry, and Pedro Ximénez (PX) Sherry casks. 'This expertly crafted whiskey brings together the bold character of Single Pot Still, the deep richness of Single Malt, and the gentle sweetness of Single Grain, culminating in a spirit of remarkable balance and complexity,' said Pat Cooney, founder and CEO of the award-winning family distillery, based just outside Drogheda. The Whistler range from Boann showcases the distillery's passion for innovation and reverence for tradition. The Whistler Irish Honey was recently crowned country winner at the prestigious World Drinks Awards 2025. With an accessible price point of €32.50 per 700ml, Whistler Triple Oak can be purchased from The blend consists of: 10% Single Malt Sherry (PX and Oloroso) 10% Single Malt Bourbon 10% Single Pot Still Sherry (PX and Oloroso) 20% Single Pot Still Bourbon 50% Single Grain Bourbon Nose: Toffee, caramel and oak spice with undertones of raisins and dark chocolate Palate: A rich full-bodied whiskey layered with toasted oak, caramel, dried fruits and warming spices
Irish Independent
04-07-2025
- General
- Irish Independent
Drogheda Tidy Towns install two iconic new sculptures transforming welcome to town
Two stunning artworks are now proudly installed by Drogheada Tidy Towns on the southern entry point to the town as Southgate, "The Well of Wisdom" and "Boann, Goddess of the Boyne."
Irish Daily Mirror
25-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Daily Mirror
Boann Distillery marks Summer Solstice 2025 with historic cask strength whiskey
Boann Distillery marked this year's Summer Solstice with a limited-edition Irish whiskey that blends historical recipes with modern distilling innovation. Released at a customer event in its distillery in Meath, Ireland on June 20th, the whiskey is the latest in Boann's annual Solstice series and the first to vat two casks. Boann Summer Solstice 2025 VM #7 is a cask strength, triple-distilled mixed mash bill whiskey bottled at 59.6% ABV, drawn from two distinctive casks - French Oak and Oloroso - and yielding just 554 bottles. Both were filled on December 9, 2020, and matured at Boann's distillery. Behind the spirit lies a historically inspired mash bill - 30% malted barley, 40% unmalted barley, and 30% wheat – all locally sourced and based on a recipe that reflects Ireland's wheat boom in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The surge in wheat cultivation followed a series of geopolitical shifts, including Foster's Corn Laws (1784), the Act of Union (1801) and Napoleon's blockade of British cereal imports. Cask No. 2301 is an Oloroso hogshead from Montilla-Moriles, coopered by J.L. Rodriguez using seasoned butt staves with virgin American oak heads. Cask No. 2291 is a rejuvenated French oak barrique sourced from a Premier Cru Classé château on Bordeaux's Left Bank. The whiskey itself is triple distilled in Boann's custom-built copper pot stills, made in Siena, Italy. The distillery uses cutting-edge nano-copper coatings inside the lyne arms to maximise copper contact, and ultra-modern sub-coolers draw the spirit off at just 10°C - lower than typical industry practice - helping preserve delicate flavour. The result is a rich and expressive whiskey. On the nose, dried fruits, milk chocolate, caramel, and toasted oak lead into fresh floral notes. The palate delivers depth and texture, with pine nuts, hazelnuts, orange zest and baking spices. The French oak adds structure, while the wheat element brings softness and warmth. The finish is long and dry, with peppery spice and earthy tannins. Boann is a family-owned distillery operated by the Cooney family, whose Vintage Mashbill Project aims to preserve and reinterpret traditional Irish whiskey recipes. Each Solstice bottling in the series offers a distinct expression, made entirely on site from mashing to maturation. Boann Summer Solstice 2025 VM #7 is priced at €120 and available to order online via Bottles come in a custom cloth bag with a fan-shaped booklet outlining the distillation process and the whiskey's historical roots.
Forbes
09-04-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Six Top Rated Irish Whiskeys, According To The Whiskey Exchange
Shot glass full of Irish whisky with a four leaf clover as a lucky garnish. getty Irish whiskey has been the fastest-growing whiskey category in the world over the past decade. Ireland has over 45 whiskey distilleries, up from just 3 in 1990. Recently, I spoke with Dawn Davies, head buyer at The Whiskey Exchange, the world's largest online whisky vendor, about her top Irish whiskey recommendations. Here are brief descriptions and tasting notes on her six top choices. Boann is a family-owned distillery in County Meath, Ireland. One of their unique creations, the Marsala Cask expression, showcases their innovative cask finishes. The triple-distilled whiskey uses a traditional single pot still mash bill of malted and unmalted barley, oats, and rye, all locally sourced from Irish farms. The spirit is first aged in heavily charred ex-bourbon barrels from Kentucky's Brown-Forman distillery. After the initial maturation, the whiskey is transferred to Superiore and Fine Marsala butts of French oak from the esteemed Cantine de Vinci in Sicily. The Marsala cask finish adds layers of spice and juicy citrus character. The whiskey features subtle spices, resinous bark, and burnt orange aromas, complemented by freshly cut grass and honey notes. It's rich and viscous on the palate with a notable mouth weight. It features sweet marmalade, peppermint, and oak spice notes. The finish is long and flavorful, with a lingering spicy aftertaste of cinnamon and clove notes. Blackwater Distillery, in County Waterford, Ireland, is known for its innovative approach to whiskey production. Its Starburst Spicebag Peated Rye Whiskey is Ireland's first peated rye whiskey. The whiskey's mash bill is 55% rye, 31% malted barley, 9% oats, and 5% peated malt, all sourced and malted within Ireland. The whiskey is matured in a single ex-Ribera del Duero wine cask from Northern Spain. The initial release was limited to 400, 500ml bottles. The whiskey is spice-forward, complemented by rich aromas of seasoned oak, caramel, vanilla, and assorted red berry fruits. It's bold and robust on the palate, featuring vanilla, ginger, cinnamon, caramel, and cooked barley malt flavors, balanced by red wine, peppery spice, and smoky notes. The finish is long and warming, with lingering spice, red fruit notes, and a subtle smokiness. The Starburst Spicebag Peated Rye Whiskey from Blackwater Distillery was awarded 'Best Irish Rye' at the prestigious World Whiskies Awards 2024, a testament to its exceptional quality and unique flavor profile. The Midleton Distillery, County Cork, Munster, Ireland where Green Spot and Redbreast, among other well known Irish whiskey brands are produced. getty The Green Spot Leoville Barton Bordeaux Finished Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey is a unique collaboration between two historic Irish families: the Mitchells, renowned Dublin wine and whiskey merchants, and the Bartons, esteemed Bordeaux winemakers of Château Léoville Barton. This partnership brings together the best of Irish whiskey and French winemaking traditions. This expression, crafted at the Midleton Distillery in County Cork, Ireland, undergoes initial maturation in a combination of ex-bourbon and ex-Oloroso sherry casks for 7 to 10 years. It is then finished for 12 to 24 months in French oak casks previously used to age Château Léoville Barton wine, imparting unique characteristics to the final product. The whisky is aromatic on the nose, featuring delicate, perfumed aromas of honeysuckle, orange blossom, ripe strawberries, and yeasty bread dough. It's light to medium on the palate, featuring honeyed and fruity red berries, vanilla, and spice notes. The finish is long with with lingering sweet fruit and subtle spice notes. The Bushmills 16 YO is an outstanding expression from the Old Bushmills Distillery in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. The triple distilled whiskey is aged for approximately 15 years in a combination of Oloroso sherry butts and bourbon barrels, followed by a finishing period of about 9 months in port wine pipes. This triple cask aging imparts a layered, complex character to the whiskey. The whiskey features honey, sweet apples, pears, bananas, and sherry aromas on the nose. It's robust, concentrated, and full-bodied on the palate, with a viscous texture and a pronounced mouth weight. It expresses orchard, stone, tropical fruit flavors, nuts, and spice, complemented by almonds, honey, Port wine, and vanilla hints. The finish is sweet and syrupy, with lingering notes of red berries, golden raisins, dried figs, and honey. Dingle Distillery, established in 2012 in County Kerry, Ireland, is among the pioneers of the new wave of Irish craft distilleries. Situated along the Wild Atlantic Way in Dingle, it was the first new distillery built in West Ireland in 150 years when distilling began in 2012. In mid-2020, Dingle released its core single malt Irish whiskey release, marking a significant milestone in its history. The whiskey is triple distilled with a 100% malted barley mash bill. It's aged in a combination of 61% Pedro Ximénez (PX) sherry casks and 39% ex-bourbon casks, creating a harmonious blend of rich, sweet, and fruity notes. The whiskey offers a flavorful and complex nose, featuring pine aromas, chalky minerality, charcoal/smoke, pronounced notes of citrus peel, and the typical PX notes of raisin, fig, and date. It's smooth and robust on the palate with an oily, viscous character and a pronounced mouth weight. Showcasing flavors of licorice, candied citrus zest, dark chocolate, dried black fruit, and creamy butterscotch. The finish is long and layered, with lingering notes of dark dried fruit, spice, and a subtle sweetness. The Redbreast Range of Irish Single Pot Irish Whiskeys Photo, courtesy Redbreast/Irish Distillers Ltd Redbreast 15 YO is a premium expression from Midleton Distillery, one of Ireland's most iconic whiskey producers. Redbreast is celebrated for its single pot still Irish whiskey style, which uses a mash bill of malted and unmalted barley, triple-distilled in copper pot stills. The 15-Year-Old expression was first introduced in 2005 as a limited edition for the French market but became a permanent addition to the range due to its popularity. This whiskey is aged in bourbon and Oloroso sherry casks, offering a richer and more complex profile than its younger sibling, the Redbreast 12 YO. Combining bourbon and Oloroso sherry casks creates a harmonious balance of sweetness, spice, and fruit. The whiskey is rich, layered, and aromatic on the nose, showcasing dried fruit notes of raisins, figs, and prunes, sweet notes of honey, caramel, subtle hints of toasted oak, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg spice. A touch of candied citrus zest and floral undertones adds brightness to the aroma. It's robust, flavorful, and silky on the palate, exhibiting flavors of rich dark chocolate, dried fruits, and orange marmalade, balanced by creamy toffee and vanilla. Spicy undertones of clove and black pepper emerge mid-palate, blending with the nuttiness of roasted almonds. A subtle Sherry sweetness and seasoned oak notes provide depth and structure. The finish is exceptionally long and warming, with lingering notes of dried fruit, sweet spice, and oak, and a gentle nuttiness that fades gracefully. These Irish whiskeys are generally available in the US. They can also be ordered directly from the Celtic Whiskey Shop, Ireland's largest whiskey retailer, or The Whisky Exchange. All six whiskies are outstanding and worth trying. If you are a fan of Irish whiskey, or just getting started, you have much to explore here. For more recommendations of top rated Irish Whiskeys see: The World's Best Irish Whiskeys From The World's Top Competitions and The Top Irish Whiskeys According To The 2025 World Whiskey Awards.
