The Connacht Whiskey Company is pleased to announce that it has released the first whiskey to become part of the core whiskey range from the award winning Ballina based distillery.

Initially shown to the public at this year’s Whiskey Live in Dublin, it was introduced to the public by Head Distiller Ryan Friesen, Master Blender Julia Nourney and Commercial Director Killian O’Sullivan to a very warm reception from attendees.

Connacht’s Commercial Director, Killian O’Sullivan, commented: “Connacht Single Malt Batch 1was a runaway success which won numerous awards including a San Francisco Spirits Competition Double Gold, gold from the Irish Whiskey Awards, a rare 95 point rating from the New York Spirits Competition and was judged to be ‘Best in Class’ by the American Distilling Institute – all at just over 4 years old. However, we decided that we could make this incredible whiskey even more accessible to whiskey lovers so Julia & Ryan worked over a number of months to refine the taste profile and to best present the liquid now that it is 5 years old.

The result is what we have released as Connacht Single Malt Irish Whiskey ‘Spirit of the Atlantic’ and we are thrilled with the smooth whiskey that consumers should be able to enjoy neat, mixed or however they prefer their whiskey. At 44.8% ABV and 5 years old, it’s one of the few whiskies of this age on the market from one of the ‘new wave’ of Irish distilleries. It’s ultra-smooth, accessible and an enjoyable way to discover the whiskies of Ireland beyond the mainstream brands. Given that our home is on the Wild Atlantic Way and our distillery is subject to the micro climate of Ireland’s West Coast, we thought it fitting to trademark the term ‘Spirit of the Atlantic’ and to apply it to our first core whiskey. Aged in ex bourbon barrels and ex sherry barrels, this whiskey is truly delicious.”

It’s now available from www.connachtwhiskey.com and the first overseas shipment of this new expression has been sent to Connacht’s new distribution partner in Ukraine, Wine Hall LLC. Killian said: “If the ‘Spirit of the Atlantic’ celebrates anything it is those who take on the unknown. The relatives of our founders did it when they left Ireland for America and our founders did it when they decided to return to Ireland to build a world class whiskey distillery in rural Mayo. We waited almost a year for our partners at Wine Hall to be in a position to take their first order and it is testament to their determination and fortitude that they relocated their business away from the front line and got
back in touch with us to move forward, despite the uncertainty they face daily.”

Connacht Distillery plans further releases later this year, including the first triple distilled cask finished whiskey from the company and a distillery exclusive. Connacht Single Malt Irish Whiskey ‘Spirit of the Atlantic’ will ship to markets as they replenish stocks and will be released in our key US market in H1 2024.