Walsh Whiskey’s The Irishman 17yo single malt has claimed the highest honour at the 2019 Irish Whiskey Awards.
Along with the overall Irish Whiskey of the Year title, the expression was also named Best Irish Single Cask Whiskey. The Irishman 17yo claimed a Masters Medal at the Irish Whiskey Masters earlier this year and was named Irish Cask of the Year by Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2019.
Walsh Whiskey’s Writers’ Tears Copper Pot Japanese Mizunara Oak Finish (the prize in last week’s Black v Green readers’ competition on the Rugby World Cup match between Ireland and the All Blacks) and Writers’ Tears Cask Strength 2019 Release also received Gold Medals at the Irish Whiskey Awards.
The Irishman 17yo is limited to just three casks, with 600 bottles per cask produced each year. It was first released on 2016 to mark Walsh Whiskey’s 17th year in business. The liquid is matured in first-fill sherry butt to offer a rich, deep flavour. It is triple distilled, non-chilled and has a 56% ABV.
Walsh Whiskey Managing Director Bernard Walsh said: “The quality of competition across all categories is testament to the fantastic industry we have here in Ireland. The Irish Whiskey Awards are the equivalent of the Oscars for the industry and we are honoured to hold the title of Best Irish Whiskey 2019”.
As reported, Walsh has personalised 30 bottles of The Irishman to mark the release of Martin Scorsese’s The Irishman, which stars Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Joe Pesci and Harvey Keitel.
Walsh Whiskey said the film is “no doubt hoping the emulate The Irishman Whiskeys’ success across the boards”; Walsh has also produced a short movie of his own as homage to the movie and his whiskey.
In its seventh year, the Irish Whiskey Awards celebrate the best of Irish whiskey and craft spirits. The annual event, held this year on 17 October at the Dingle Distillery in County Kerry, raises funds for Mary’s Meals, a global movement which aims to provide chronically hungry children with one meal every school day. It also underlines the life-changing role that education can play in the children’s futures.
