Wicklow distillery Glendalough has been named Irish Distillery of the Year at the New York Spirits Competition, following three gold medal wins, for its 7-year-old-single malt Mizunara-finish (pictured) and Double Barrel whiskeys and for its Wild Rose Irish gin.
The distillery was founded in 2011 by a group of friends with a shared passion for reviving the heritage of craft distilling in Ireland, and has since become part of Mark Anthony Brands International.
The Irish Distillery of the Year award is not an annual one but is awarded only when appropriate, making it all the more coveted, said the company.
The seven-year-old single malt is aged in Japanese Mizunara casks from the island of Hokkaido. Tasting notes describe it as being “fruity and floral and luxuriously smooth in texture, with a hint of dark orange chocolate, sandalwood and cinnamon”.
Glendalough’s Double Barrel Whiskey was also awarded double gold. It is aged twice in two different barrels. American oak Bourbon barrels “bring the elements of sweet honey and smooth vanilla flavours, while the Spanish oak Oloroso barrels layer on dried fruit, and nutty flavours”.
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The Wild Rose gin also took gold. Glendalough’s head distiller says it is made with wild flowers from the mountains around the distillery and flowers from his mother’s garden. The wild flowers are gathered by a forager, every day they distil, and all go into the still within hours of picking.
After distilling, the gin is infused with more roses to deepen the flavour.
Mark Anthony vice-president Enda O’Sullivan said: “These awards are testimony to the drive and ambition of the Glendalough team who strive for the very best in all they do. Securing double gold for our whiskies as well as gold for our Wild Rose Gin is a huge achievement but to also be named Irish Distillery of the Year is an incredible result.
"We’re so passionate about crafting liquids with a profound sense of place, to have Glendalough recognised on the world stage gives us renewed ambition for the future."
