Glendalough Poitín launched onto Irish market
Five local Wicklow and Dublin entrepreneurs have set up a new craft spirits venture, Glendalough Irish Whiskey Ltd.
Print23 August 2013
A range of craft poitíns has been developed (from left): Glendalough Sherry Cask Finish Poitín, Glendalough Premium and Glendalough Mountain Strength.
The company’s first product to market, Glendalough Poitín, was launched to the trade recently in Dublin’s 37 Dawson Street.
Managing Director and co-founder Barry Gallagher said, “We’re passionate about the future of craft distilling in Ireland. We’re a country that’s rich in distilling history. Our team’s goal is to recapture Ireland’s lost heritage of great spirit production and create new, exciting and contemporary brands. We want to reintroduce people to original styles of craft Irish spirits. Tonight we launch our first premium, craft offering to the market – Glendalough Poitín – and we’re very excited about it”.
Poitín pre-dates whiskey and so the Glendalough team are bringing back to life the oldest white spirit in the western world.
A range of craft poitíns has been developed: Glendalough Premium, Glendalough Mountain Strength and Glendalough Sherry Cask Finish Poitín.
“Before there was whiskey, there was poitín” explained Brand Manager Dónal Ó’Gallachóir, a Certified Spirits Specialist, “Poitín was the origin of the species, the original ‘water of life’. It’s Ireland’s gift to the world as one of the first spirits ever to be distilled.”
Since its legalisation (outlawed from 1661-1997) no one has successfully capitalised on the opportunity poitín presents, he claimed.
The range is crafted from old poitín recipes.
“Our style of production and the attention to flavour detail makes Glendalough Poitín one of the most complex white spirits in the world,” explained Dónal Ó’Gallachóir, “It’s made using malted barley and the almost-lost Irish sugar beet. It’s fermented for over 72 hours which gives a higher alcohol percentage and a more robust flavour. The higher cut point gives heads and tails that are more in line with a whiskey. This is partly what gives Glendalough Poitín a more complex taste. After it is carefully batch-distilled, it’s matured in Irish oak for up to six months. This allows the spirit to interact with the wood, mellow and smoothen and to gain more flavour”.
The team explained that the Sherry Cask Finish is aged further using “pre-loved” Spanish sherry casks; this was what they called “nectar” back in the day.
Glendalough Poitín can be drunk straight over ice, as a shot or mixed with soda, lemonade, cola or ginger, all with a squeeze of a lime wedge. It can also be used in cocktails.
The launch was supported with POS on display on the night and discounted case deals.
For more information please contact:
Dónal Ó’Gallachóir
Brand Manager
Glendalough Poitín
Tel 087-6729544
e-mail: mailto:donalog@glendaloughirishwhiskey.com
http://www.glendaloughpoitin.com
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