Description
Using 100% Irish barley, widely considered to be the world’s finest, Waterfords new Single Farm Origin series is an uber-provenance range of limited edition natural whiskies that explore Irish terroir one farm, once place, at a time. They are expressions of precision and rarity, showcasing barley flavours derived from individual Irish farms and harvests.
The first two Single Farm Origin editions use barley grown during 2015, an exceptional vintage, each originating from unique corners of Ireland.
BANNOW ISLAND: EDITION 1.1
Distilled in 2016 from Overture barley grown by Ed Harpur on the extreme southern coast of Co. Wexford, where salt-laden Atlantic winds and sandy soils create a unique, if somewhat challenging, terroir. It was here that the Normans took their first conquering steps in 1169. Sandbanks and wind-blown dunes rise up over a lost town long faded from the map.
BALLYKILCAVAN: EDITION 1.1
Distilled in 2016 from Taberna barley grown by David Walsh-Kemmis west of the River Barrow in Co. Laois in the barley heartlands, where his fertile fields are sheltered by ancient woodland. David is the thirteenth generation since 1639 to farm at Ballykilcavan. And here, in his ancient farmhouse, sits our inaugural Barley of the Year trophy awarded for this 2015 harvest.
RATHEADON: EDITION 1.1
Ratheadon, Aidhne’s Fort, once home to the Lords of Idrone, stands beyond the river’s east bank on rich & loamy soils. Ratheadon stands in the heartlands of the Irish malting barley industry.
The echoes of this old trade can still be seen today – the keen-eyed would note the numerous majestic old malting house buildings that line the river – indeed, were once powered by the river – with the largest malt house standing in Bagenalstown.
This early-sown barley from the superb harvest of 2015 was grown by father and son Stephen & Andrew McDonnell – third and fourth generation growers respectively – upon this unique terroir of a fertile flood plain of the River Barrow. The McDonnell family has farmed here at Ratheadon for some five decades.
This bottling, Edition 1.1, was originally intended to be an online and distillery exclusive. But at the time of launching Waterford Whisky into the world, demand greatly exceeded supply in many places – especially so in Ireland, on their home turf; so they took the decision to release 1,400 bottles to the Irish market only.
All of Waterfords whiskies use 100% demonstrably Irish-grown barley – one farm, one terroir, at a time.
Following a strict methodology that originates in the greatest vineyards of France, each farm’s crop is kept separate from field to barrel.
Using a mash filter instead of a mash tun, super-long 120-hour fermentations, and exceptionally slow distillations, they aim to produce the most natural and respectful expressions of barley possible.