The Connacht Distillery has announced that it has been awarded a double-gold medal for its Connacht Single-Malt Irish Batch 1 whiskey at this year’s San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
This major recognition of the distillery’s first core single-malt release from one of the world’s leading industry competitions represents a ‘massive achievement’ for the distilling team and a ‘significant milestone’ – less than a year after the launch of the whiskey in autumn 2021.
The San Francisco World Spirits Competition is one of the world’s most prestigious spirits competitions – considered one of the most important endorsements by the global spirits industry, the whiskey-maker noted.
The single-malt Irish whiskey was awarded the double-gold medal after it achieved a gold-medal rating from all members of the judging panel, following a blind tasting by the group of industry experts, the whiskey-maker added.
Celebrating the win, Killian O’Sullivan, commercial director of the Connacht Distillery, commented, “For our first single-malt whiskey to receive this accolade less than a year since its launch is testament to the outstanding work of our team over a number of years.
“The future is bright for the Connacht Distillery, and this award is a strong sign of things to come.”
Single-Malt Irish Whiskey
According to the company, the Connacht Distillery’s single-malt Irish whiskey is the first to be distilled in Co. Mayo in over 150 years.
Crafted using 100% Irish malt barley, aged in ex-bourbon casks for four years, and finished in ex-oloroso sherry casks, it is then double-distilled from the company’s own copper pot stills.
Worldwide Demand
In less than a year since its launch, demand for Connacht’s single-malt Irish whiskey has accelerated worldwide, with the distillery appointing distributors in seven markets across the world and the company’s portfolio now to be found in markets including France, Poland, Germany and the USA.
The Connacht Distillery also recently announced its expansion into the UK, appointing Spirit Cartel as its distributor, responsible for supplying the distillery’s whiskey brands to the on- and off-trade across the UK.
In Ireland, the single-malt Irish whiskey (RRP €64.99) is available through the Connacht Distillery’s own website and stocked in premium on- and off-trade spirit accounts nationwide through Bevella.
© 2022 Checkout – your source for the latest Irish retail news. Article by Donna Ahern. For more drinks news, click here. Click sign up to subscribe to Checkout.
