DEBATE will always rage about what's 'the best Irish whiskey' - but right now Dunville's have the accolades to back up their proud boasts.
The revived Belfast brand, with no luck involved, only oodles of skill and expertise, collected no fewer than 13 prizes at the World Whiskies Awards earlier this month.
Dunville's also had five award wins at the Irish Whiskey Awards late last year, plus two more for its producer, the Echlinville Distillery on the Ards peninsula, namely Old Comber Whiskey and Ban Poitin.
So whiskey-lovers will be delighted that Dunville’s Irish Whiskey has announced a release of its highly anticipated 21 Year Old Palo Cortado Sherry Finish Cask 1197, which was named Ireland’s Best Whiskey at those Irish Whiskey Awards.
However, you better move quickly - either fastest finger first or head to the distillery, near Kircubbin.
Cask 1197 is now available to purchase online and also in store at The Echlinville Distillery, priced £275. Purchases will be limited to one bottle per person.
Bottled at cask strength 53.2% abv, Cask 1197 is the latest release from the Dunville’s Single Cask Series, which features limited edition bottlings of the finest casks from Dunville’s warehouses.
Cask 1197 was the Overall Winner at the Irish Whiskey Awards in November 2022, earning it the coveted title of Ireland’s Best Whiskey.
At that prestigious Irish whiskey industry awards evening, 'The Spirit of Belfast' also won Gold medals for its PX 10 Year Old and 20 Year Old Oloroso Sherry Cask Finish Single Malts.
All three of Dunville’s Gold medal winning whiskies can now be enjoyed together in an exclusive gift set, which features 50ml miniature bottles of each whiskey alongside a Dunville’s branded Glencairn whiskey glass. The Dunville’s Irish Whiskey Award Winners gift set will be available from The Echlinville Distillery priced £75.
Jarlath Watson from Dunville’s Irish Whiskey said: “We are proud to offer for sale Dunville’s Cask 1197, Ireland’s Whiskey of the Year. While every release from our Single Cask Series is extraordinary, this one is particularly special as it has been judged by our colleagues and friends from within the industry and the wider Irish Whiskey community as being worthy of Irish whiskey’s highest honour.
“The Single Cask Series showcases the best whiskeys from our warehouses, bottled at cask strength for the best possible quality and flavour. We promise our customers exceptional whiskey, without compromise, and Cask 1197 certainly lives up to that ethos.
“Very well-structured, waxy and rich. Honeydew melon, tropical fruits in syrup and pear drops give way to caramelised apricots, juicy overripe plums and spiced Chantilly cream. Red apple skins, stewed stone fruits, and old dunnage oak give balance and structure while toasted nuts, warming winter spices and sweet tobacco tantalise then combine for a long, sweet and truly sublime finish
“We are also delighted to unveil the Dunville’s Irish Whiskey Award Winners gift box. Featuring three of our finest single malt whiskeys with Dunville’s trademark PX, Palo Cortado and Oloroso sherry cask finishes, this beautifully packaged set is the perfect way to enjoy some of the best that The Spirit of Belfast has to offer.”
Established in Belfast in 1808 and originally produced at the Royal Irish Distilleries which stood on the city’s Grosvenor Road, Dunville’s was among the world’s most famous whiskeys until its untimely demise in 1936. The Echlinville Distillery revived the iconic Dunville’s brand ten years ago with the aim of restoring it to its former glory.
That aim has been achieved, and then some.
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