Glendalough Whiskey: Your Guide to Ireland’s Craft Spirit Pioneer

Welcome to the world of Glendalough Whiskey, where ancient Irish heritage meets modern craft distilling. If you’re looking to explore beyond the well-known giants of Irish whiskey and discover a brand with a deep sense of place and innovation, you’ve come to the perfect place. Glendalough Whiskey isn’t just a drink; it’s a story in a bottle, inspired by the history, wild botanicals, and stunning landscapes of County Wicklow.

This comprehensive guide will be your friendly expert as we journey through everything that makes Glendalough Whiskey special. We’ll explore their fascinating history, break down their core range of spirits, and discover the best ways to enjoy them. Whether you’re a whiskey novice or a seasoned enthusiast, prepare to discover a brand that is redefining what Irish spirits can be.

The Story of Glendalough: More Than Just a Name

To truly appreciate Glendalough Whiskey, you must first understand its namesake. Glendalough (pronounced Glen-da-lock) is the “Valley of the Two Lakes” in County Wicklow, Ireland. This glacial valley is home to a 6th-century monastic settlement founded by St. Kevin, a place renowned for centuries as a center of learning, craft, and spirituality.

The modern Glendalough Whiskey distillery was founded in 2011 by five friends from Wicklow and Dublin who wanted to revive the area’s artisanal distilling traditions. They were driven by a mission to create spirits that reflect the wild and botanical character of their native landscape. This powerful connection to place is the soul of every bottle of Glendalough Whiskey.

E-E-A-T: Why You Can Trust Glendalough Whiskey

The credibility of Glendalough Whiskey is built on a solid foundation that aligns with E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness):

• Experience: The founders have deep local roots and years of hands-on experience in both sourcing exceptional whiskey and building their own distillery from the ground up.

• Expertise: They work with master distillers and blenders who have a profound understanding of Irish whiskey styles, cask finishing, and the use of native Irish botanicals.

• Authoritativeness: Glendalough Whiskey has gained international recognition, winning numerous gold medals at prestigious spirits competitions, validating its quality and innovation.

• Trustworthiness: The brand is transparent about its processes, whether it’s sourcing while their own stock ages or detailing the local foraging for their gin and poitín. This builds genuine trust with consumers.

Exploring the Glendalough Whiskey Portfolio

Glendalough Whiskey offers a diverse and exciting range of spirits. Let’s explore the key expressions you need to know.

1. Glendalough Double Barrel Irish Whiskey: The Flagship

The Glendalough Double Barrel Irish Whiskey is the perfect introduction to the brand and one of its most popular offerings. It embodies their philosophy of thoughtful cask management.

• The Process: This blended Irish whiskey is first aged in ex-bourbon barrels, which impart classic notes of vanilla and caramel. It is then “finished” in Oloroso sherry casks, which add layers of rich dried fruit, nuts, and spice.

• Tasting Notes:

  • Nose: Honey, vanilla, and ripe red apple.

  • Palate: A smooth and creamy texture with flavors of stone fruit, honey, and a touch of spice from the sherry cask.

  • Finish: Medium, warm, and satisfying with lingering sweet fruit.

• Best For: Beginners and seasoned drinkers alike. It’s incredibly approachable neat and also makes a fantastic Glendalough Irish Whiskey Double Barrel Old Fashioned.

2. Glendalough Single Malt Series

For those seeking a more focused and complex experience, the single malt range is where Glendalough Whiskey truly shines. These are often released as limited editions with unique cask finishes.

• Mizunara Finish: Finished in rare Japanese Mizunara oak, this single malt is a global affair. It offers exotic notes of sandalwood, coconut, and incense.

• Port Cask Finish: Finished in tawny port pipes, this expression is rich and dessert-like, with flavors of dark berries, chocolate, and spice.

3. Glendalough Pot Still Whiskey

Staying true to the most traditional style of Irish whiskey, Glendalough’s Pot Still is made from a mash bill of both malted and unmalted barley. This style is known for its signature spicy, creamy, and full-bodied character.

4. Glendalough Poitín (The Original Irish Spirit)

Before there was whiskey, there was Poitín (pronounced pot-cheen). This clear spirit is the historic precursor to Irish whiskey, and Glendalough Whiskey has become a leader in its revival.

• What it is: A traditional Irish grain spirit, often triple-distilled for purity.

• Glendalough’s Take: They offer a classic version and a wild botanical version, foraged from the Wicklow mountains, which tastes like a cross between a gin and a white whiskey.

• Best For: The adventurous drinker. It’s a fascinating piece of liquid history and makes a incredible base for cocktails.

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What Makes Glendalough Whiskey Unique? The Brand’s Signature

Several key factors set Glendalough Whiskey apart in a crowded market:

1. A Sense of Place: Every bottle is directly inspired by the history and landscape of the Wicklow mountains. This isn’t a marketing gimmick; it’s the core of their identity.

2. Innovative Cask Finishing: They are masters of the “finish,” taking well-aged whiskey and giving it a final rest in a unique cask (sherry, Mizunara, port) to add a specific layer of complexity.

3. Commitment to Craft: While they sourced whiskey early on, they have built their own distillery in Newtownmountkennedy, Co. Wicklow, and are now distilling, aging, and bottling their own spirit on-site, ensuring complete control over quality.

4. Respect for Tradition: From reviving Poitín to producing classic Pot Still whiskey, they honor Ireland’s distilling past while pushing its future forward.

How to Drink Glendalough Whiskey

The beauty of Glendalough Whiskey is its versatility across the range. Here’s how to get the most out of your bottle.

For the Double Barrel and Single Malts:

• Neat: The best way to appreciate the complex aromas and smooth finish. Pour into a Glencairn glass and let it rest for 5 minutes.

• With a Drop of Water: A few drops of pure water can open up the whiskey, releasing more fruity and floral notes, especially in the sherry-finished expressions.

• On the Rocks: A great way to enjoy the Glendalough Double Barrel Irish Whiskey on a warm evening. Use a large ice cube to minimize dilution.

For the Poitín:

• In Cocktails: Use it as a base in a Mojito, a Martini, or a Irish Mule. Its clean, grainy character makes it incredibly mixable.

• The “Wild” Shot: The traditional way! Serve the botanical Poitín chilled from the freezer.

Cocktail Recipe: The Wicklow Sour

This cocktail highlights the fruity notes of the Glendalough Irish Whiskey Double Barrel.

• Ingredients:

  • 2 oz Glendalough Double Barrel Irish Whiskey

  • 1 oz fresh lemon juice

  • 0.75 oz honey syrup (equal parts honey and hot water)

  • 0.5 oz egg white (optional, for froth)

  • Garnish: Luxardo cherry

• Instructions:

  1. Add all ingredients to a shaker without ice and dry shake vigorously for 15 seconds.

  2. Add ice and shake again for another 15 seconds.

  3. Strain into a chilled coupe or rocks glass.

  4. Garnish with a cherry.

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Glendalough Whiskey Price and Value

Glendalough Whiskey is positioned in the mid-to-premium craft category, offering excellent value.

• Glendalough Double Barrel: Typically $35 – $50. Outstanding value for a double-cask-finished whiskey.

• Single Malt Expressions: $60 – $90. Justified by their limited nature and use of rare casks like Mizunara oak.

• Poitín: $30 – $45. A unique and affordable way to explore a historic Irish spirit.

When you buy Glendalough Whiskey, you are investing in a craft product with a story, not a mass-produced commodity.

Where to Buy Glendalough Whiskey

Finding Glendalough Whiskey has become much easier as its popularity has grown.

• Specialty Liquor Stores: Well-curated spirit shops are your best bet for finding the full range.

• Online Retailers: Many online merchants now carry the core Glendalough lineup.

• The Distillery: If you’re in Ireland, a visit to their distillery in Wicklow is a must.

For authoritative information on Irish Whiskey production and history, you can visit the Irish Whiskey Association website.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Is Glendalough Whiskey actually made in Glendalough?
While the brand is deeply inspired by the Glendalough valley, the distillery and visitor center are located in the nearby town of Newtownmountkennedy, County Wicklow. This is where they now distill, age, and bottle their own whiskey and poitín, keeping the entire process within their native county.

Q2: What’s the difference between Glendalough Double Barrel and Jameson Black Barrel?
Both are excellent blended whiskeys with bourbon barrel influence. However, Glendalough Double Barrel Irish Whiskey is finished in Oloroso sherry casks, which gives it a pronounced fruity and nutty character. Jameson Black Barrel is re-charred (double-charred) bourbon barrels, which amplifies notes of toffee, vanilla, and wood spice. The Glendalough is generally fruitier, while the Black Barrel is spicier and toastier.

Q3: Is Glendalough a good whiskey for beginners?
Yes, it is an excellent choice for beginners. The Glendalough Double Barrel Irish Whiskey, in particular, is known for its smooth, approachable, and fruity profile with very little alcohol bite. It’s a perfect “gateway” whiskey that is both easy to enjoy and complex enough to be interesting.

Q4: What does Poitín taste like?
The classic Glendalough Poitín is a clear, clean spirit with a sweet, grainy character, somewhat similar to a young, unaged whiskey or even a light rum. Their “Wild” Botanical Poitín is a different experience altogether, tasting herbal, floral, and spicy, similar to a gin but with a distinct cereal backbone.

Q5: Is Glendalough whiskey peated?
Typically, no. Most expressions from Glendalough Whiskey are unpeated, focusing on fruity, spicy, and honeyed notes. Irish whiskey, in general, is not known for peat smoke in the way that many Scotch whiskies from Islay are. They focus on a clean, triple-distilled character that allows the grain and cask influence to shine.