ARI staff society helps create limited edition single malt whiskey

ARI and The Teeling Whiskey Company celebrating the launch of The Aviators Single Cask. From l-r: Stephen Teeling, Danny Joyce, Ken McCabe, Stephen Gallagher and John McCarron

IRELAND. ARI has launched a limited edition single malt Irish whiskey available exclusively at The Loop shops at Dublin and Cork airports.

The single malt is the result of a collaboration between independent Irish whiskey producer The Teeling Whiskey Company and The Aviators Whiskey Society, a club established by ARI staff at Dublin Airport to celebrate, promote and ultimately enjoy whiskey.

Called The Aviators Single Cask, the bottling celebrates the first year of the ARI whiskey society’s existence. It was selected by members at a tasting event held at the Teeling Distillery and hosted by Founder Jack Teeling, where they chose from four single cask samples that were reviewed in a blind taste test.

Over 50 members of The Aviators Whiskey Society had determined that the Cabernet Sauvignon-finished Single Cask was their single malt of choice. Bottled at cask strength, the 12yo expression was originally matured in ex-bourbon casks before being finished in ex-Californian Cabernet Sauvignon casks. It is said to have a well balanced, silky stone fruit finish.

A handcrafted batch of just 306 bottles will be released and The Aviators Single Cask is expected to be a collector’s item. It will only be sold within The Irish Whiskey Collection at the two airports.

“The Aviators Whiskey Society was set up by ARI retail staff in Dublin Airport to celebrate, promote and enjoy whiskey,” said ARI Ireland Buyer for Alcohol & Tobacco John Byrne. “They’ve now taken it one step further by creating their own whiskey with our partners in Teeling Whiskey. Their gesture in allowing the Aviators Society the opportunity to develop an exclusive line of whiskey speaks volumes for our close working relationship.

“We’re thrilled to have the society’s name attached to such a premium whiskey which will sit proudly on shelf alongside an already diverse collection. I can’t think of anything better to express the real ‘spirit’ of the Aviators Society.”

Exclusive expression: The members of ARI’s The Aviators Whiskey Society selected their favourite single malt at a tasting event held at the Teeling Distillery
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