Kilbeggan Irish Whiskey Small Batch Rye
43% ABV
$35
Website
What the Distiller Says
KILBEGGAN DISTILLING COMPANY INTRODUCES A NEW STYLE OF IRISH WHISKEY DATING NEARLY 100 YEARS IN KILBEGGAN® SMALL BATCH RYE
Double distilled and matured in Ireland’s oldest continually licensed distillery, Kilbeggan® Small Batch Rye is an innovation that pays tribute to the golden age of Irish whiskey
Chicago, IL (October 18, 2018) – Today, the Kilbeggan Distilling Company celebrates the limited-edition release of Kilbeggan® Small Batch Rye, the only modern Irish whiskey of record to feature such a high quantity of rye within its mash. It is the first whiskey 100% distilled and matured at the Kilbeggan Distillery to be released since its restoration was completed in 2010. Each bottle is a testament to the spirit of the Kilbeggan community, whose unwavering dedication and perseverance have kept the distillery alive for more than 260 years.
“Following the restoration of the Kilbeggan Distillery, the oldest licensed distillery in Ireland, our team was inspired to create this remarkable whiskey rooted in Irish distilling heritage,” says John Cashman, Beam Suntory Global Brand Ambassador, Irish Whiskey. “It is a truly unique spirit, featuring a rare mash that has produced a flavor unlike anything available today.”
Featuring a mash of malt, barley, and approximately 30% rye, this whiskey hearkens back to the late-1800s, when many large Irish distillers used rye in their mashes. However, this spicy grain virtually disappeared from the Irish Whiskey category around the time of Prohibition and the Irish War of Independence.
Double distilled to 86 proof in Kilbeggan’s copper pot stills – one of which is the oldest working whiskey pot still in the world today – Kilbeggan® Small Batch Rye is the first of its kind in today’s market. Due to the nature of its mash, the flavor profile of Kilbeggan Small Batch Rye is notably softer than familiar American rye whiskies. The combination of rye, malt and barley produces an oily, viscous, creamy whiskey, bristling with rye and barley spice. As both Irish whiskey and rye whiskey enjoy a resurgence, Kilbeggan Small Batch Rye is a true innovation within both categories, with a smooth, spicy flavor profile sure to excite whiskey drinkers and cocktail enthusiasts alike.
Due to its mellow and spicy character, Kilbeggan® Small Batch Rye is best enjoyed neat. If using this whiskey in a cocktail, we recommend an Old Fashioned: 2 parts Kilbeggan® Rye, 2 dashes aromatic bitters, and a bar spoon of simple syrup or cinnamon syrup. Combine ingredients in a mixing glass, add ice, and stir briefly. Serve over a large ice cube and garnish with a sprig of rosemary.
This limited-edition Irish whiskey will be available in the United States in mid-November 2018 with a suggested retail price of $34.99 (750ml). It joins the U.S. portfolio alongside permanent expressions Kilbeggan® Blended Irish Whiskey (40% ABV) and Kilbeggan® Single Grain Irish Whiskey (43% ABV).
AROMA: Soft green fruits combine with a rich creamy aroma and give way to white pepper, citrus, and soft ginger spices
TASTE: Beautiful warming mouthfeel of textured vanilla cream, floral spice, clove, and forest sorrel, building to a crescendo of warm spice and biscuit dryness
FINISH: Immensely long and nuanced, thick buttery coating with a return to the vanilla and a spicy, oily coating that remains long after the finish
What Gary Says
Nose: Bright, young malt with notes of pine, dill, ginger and sour apple candy.
Palate: Creamy to oily mouthfeel, sweet vanilla custard with pears, allspice and a hint of ginger; builds to a spicy edge with a bit of clove.
Finish: Short to moderate in length, on the wet side with pepper spice building as it trails.
Comments: This is non-age stated, but I’d guess it is a young rye – which isn’t a bad thing. Some folks tend to read “young” as a negative descriptor, but rye whiskey is one category that I think shines pretty well at a young age – better than bourbon for sure (can’t say about young Irish whiskey though). This has a really nice viscous body thanks to the pot still distillation – as well as skipping the traditional third distillation (I know that’s a hallmark of Irish whiskey, but I for one am glad to see someone challenging that notion!) I really like this, and am excited to see some rye mashbills coming from Ireland. For fans of rye whiskey who find Irish to be “too smooth”, this might be the gateway that gets them interested in exploring another category (and if you’re really a whiskey geek, the price point on this probably pushes it into “Must Try” range).
Rating: Stands Out
We would like to thank Kilbeggan and Savona Communications for sending us a sample to review.