Clad in noble restraint, the Glendalough Pot Still - Single Grain - Whisky 43% evokes the poetry of the Wicklow mountains and the precision of master distillation. Designed for the demanding enthusiast as much as the curious aesthete, it marries the tactile richness of a traditional Irish whiskey with a contemporary purity and a delicately spiced profile. Its signature lies in the rare combination of triple pot still distillation, initial ageing in ex-bourbon casks and a finishing year in virgin Irish oak sourced from responsibly harvested century-old trees, slowly fired to sculpt the wood grain with clockmaker precision. Bottled gently at 43%, non-chill filtered and without added colouring, it preserves the natural brilliance of its colour and the full spectrum of aromatic oils, honouring the textures that define great characterful whiskeys.

This spirit is for those seeking more than a tasting—a true moment of evocation. It elevates the aperitif, extends a gourmet meal and graces conversations as a nod to a refined way of life. Its presence on the palate, both broad and finely chiselled, reveals a contained energy and a creamy grain that the finish stretches long over vanilla and almond, like a final chord played softly. A whiskey for contemplation that also lends itself to cocktails with rare distinction.

Blend and vinification

This Irish whiskey is born from an emblematic raw material: a blend of malted and unmalted barley, the historic backbone of the pot still style in Ireland. This combination, at once generous and nervy, delivers a distinctive mouthfeel that triple pot still distillation polishes with patience. Each pass concentrates aromatic purity, refines texture and removes rough edges to retain only the fruit's elegance and brightness. Maturation begins in bourbon casks, whose staves, steeped in vanilla and caramel, add softness and structure, then concludes with a year-long finish in virgin Irish oak, tight-grained and slowly fired. This rare final stage gives the spirit a more pronounced wood dimension, a perfectly integrated tannic energy and a subtle spicy range recalling cinnamon and nutmeg. True to artisanal integrity, bottling is carried out without chill filtration and without colouration, guaranteeing an unaltered expression of the spirit and the time spent in wood.

Tasting notes

• Colour: Luminous, shimmering gold with warm highlights. Its natural clarity, preserved by the absence of added colouring, reflects careful maturation. Measured viscosity hints at a creamy texture, promising a smooth, balanced palate.
• Nose: Immediately a citrus freshness evokes ripe lemon and pink grapefruit, soon wrapped in honey, vanilla and a touch of soft caramel. Notes of fine herbs, almost meadow-like, intermingle with a waft of toasted oak, sketching a harmony where sweetness and liveliness listen to one another without overpowering.
• Palate: The attack is silky, almost milky, then a precise spicy thread unfolds with cinnamon and nutmeg. The heart reveals a toffee-style candied pear threaded with an energetic oak presence that suggests fine tannins. A hint of citrus—grapefruit and lemon zest—energises the whole and leads into a long finish, caressed by vanilla and almond, with subtle echoes of wild berries.

Serving temperature and advice

Serve between 16 and 18°C in a tulip glass or a tulip-shaped whisky glass to capture the bouquet and broaden the palate. A few minutes of aeration allow the virgin Irish oak to soften its edges and the spice notes to gain delicacy. Adding a few drops of water can reveal extra layers of honey and vanilla without upsetting the balance. On ice, choose large cubes for slow dilution. In mixology, it displays notable nobility in a Whiskey Sour, a maple syrup Old Fashioned or a Highball styled as a gourmet cocktail.

Food and whisky pairings

• Aperitifs: smoked salmon, roasted cashews, Parmesan shavings.
• Starters: poultry terrine with dried fruits, tuna tataki, lemony scallop carpaccio.
• Main courses: glazed duck breast, spiced pork chops, aged Comté risotto.
• Cheeses: matured cheddar, aged gouda, mild blue.
• Desserts: tarte Tatin, 70% dark chocolate, candied orange cake.

Tasting occasions

Glendalough Pot Still - Single Grain - Whisky 43% is the ideal companion:

• For an expert aperitif where conversation and curiosity guide the tasting.
• During a gourmet dinner seeking wooded and spicy harmonies.
• As an exceptional gift for a premium spirits enthusiast.

Specifications

• Name: Glendalough Pot Still - Single Grain - Whisky 43%
• Category: Spirits
• Designation: Irish Whiskey
• Style: Pot still, malted and unmalted barley
• Origin: County Wicklow, Ireland
• Distillery: Glendalough Distillery
• Alcohol by volume: 43%
• Distillation: triple distillation in pot stills
• Maturation: ex-bourbon casks then finished in virgin Irish oak
• Particularities: non-chill filtered, no added colouring