Hawk’s Rock Distillery, Sazerac’s recently acquired Irish whiskey distillery, has just announced its inaugural release, Garavogue 20 Year Old Single Malt Irish Whiskey.
Crafted by Master Blender Helen Mulholland, the first female Master Blender in Irish Whiskey history, the expression is named after the river that flows past the distillery through Sligo town into the Atlantic Ocean. Double-distilled and initially aged for a minimum of 14 years in ex-bourbon American oak casks, the whiskey was then transferred into a variety of finishing casks including French Muscat, French Sauternes, Spanish Pedro Ximénez Sherry and Barbadian Rum casks for further maturation. The result is a 94 proof whiskey that embodies Sazerac’s dedication to world class distillation, aging and blending.
“The current trend is for whiskey to have a rich sherry finish, but Garavogue is purposefully different,” says Hawk’s Rock Distillery Master Blender Helen Mulholland. “We believe that complexity and subtlety can work hand in hand. It is unusual for a whiskey to be blended with this number and variety of casks, but just as the river ebbs and flows, the flavors create a wonderful blend as they weave together in this 20-year-old single malt.”
Garavogue is a small-batch release and will experimental in nature, exploring different ages, maturation techniques and possibly even different types of Irish whiskey. Release #1 is housed in a distinctive reversed crescent shape bottle with a blue label reflecting the Garavogue River’s influence including subtle wave patterns that mirror the motion of water. The label also features imagery and coordinates for the Hazelwood House Windmill – an enduring landmark on the grounds of Hawk’s Rock – in tribute to the historical figures who lived and worked along Garavogue’s banks.
“We hope that Garavogue Whiskey invites Irish Whiskey fans to linger, explore and uncover the hidden stories of Sligo,” remarks Jess Scheerhorn, Vice President at Sazerac. “The Garavogue River shaped this beautiful landscape for millenniums, and Garavogue Irish Whiskey aims to shape new experiences, connections and traditions – one sip at a time.”
Hawk’s Rock Distillery’s Garavogue Whiskey will begin rolling out in limited quantities this month for $199.
