Crafted by Master Blender Helen Mulholland, the first female Master Blender in Irish Whiskey history, the expression is named after the river that flows past the distillery through Sligo town into the Atlantic Ocean. Double-distilled and initially aged for a minimum of 14 years in ex-bourbon American oak casks, the whiskey was then transferred into a variety of finishing casks including French Muscat, French Sauternes, Spanish Pedro Ximénez Sherry and Barbadian Rum casks for further maturation. The result is a 94 proof whiskey that embodies Sazerac’s dedication to world class distillation, aging and blending.

“The current trend is for whiskey to have a rich sherry finish, but Garavogue is purposefully different,” says Hawk’s Rock Distillery Master Blender Helen Mulholland. “We believe that complexity and subtlety can work hand in hand. It is unusual for a whiskey to be blended with this number and variety of casks, but just as the river ebbs and flows, the flavors create a wonderful blend as they weave together in this 20-year-old single malt.”

Garavogue is a small-batch release and will experimental in nature, exploring different ages, maturation techniques and possibly even different types of Irish whiskey. Release #1 is housed in a distinctive reversed crescent shape bottle with a blue label reflecting the Garavogue River’s influence including subtle wave patterns that mirror the motion of water. The label also features imagery and coordinates for the Hazelwood House Windmill – an enduring landmark on the grounds of Hawk’s Rock – in tribute to the historical figures who lived and worked along Garavogue’s banks.

“We hope that Garavogue Whiskey invites Irish Whiskey fans to linger, explore and uncover the hidden stories of Sligo,” remarks Jess Scheerhorn, Vice President at Sazerac. “The Garavogue River shaped this beautiful landscape for millenniums, and Garavogue Irish Whiskey aims to shape new experiences, connections and traditions – one sip at a time.”

Hawk’s Rock Distillery’s Garavogue Whiskey will begin rolling out in limited quantities this month for $199.

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Formerly known as Lough Gill Distillery, Hawk’s Rock will continue to produce and age Irish Whiskey under the watchful eye of Master Blender Helen Mulholland on the over 100-acre site located in County Sligo, Ireland, which includes the nationally listed historic landmark Hazelwood House.

The name change reflects Sazerac’s vision for the future of Irish Whiskey – the art and science of blending, innovation and respect for Sligo’s rich heritage. Named after a prominent outcrop in the Ox Mountains that inspired Nobel Prize winning poet William Butler (W.B.) Yeats’ play “At the Hawk’s Well”, the distillery aims to become a global hub for Irish Whiskey, while offering a gateway to explore the traditions of Sligo and the surrounding region.

“The renaming of Hawk’s Rock Distillery marks a new, yet familiar, frontier for us,” says Sazerac President and CEO Jake Wenz. “Sazerac is known for its balanced approach to honoring tradition while embracing change in constant pursuit of crafting the world’s best spirits at our distilleries in America, India, Canada and France. Our mission holds true for Ireland, and we are excited to reveal how we are blending time-honored traditions with bold innovation to advance the art of Irish whiskey-making.”

Mulholland, the first female Master Blender in Irish Whiskey history, and her carefully-selected team have been entrusted with leading the creation and blending of Hawk’s Rock’s innovative new-to-world Irish whiskey brands, the first of which will debut in June.

Sazerac acquired Lough Gill Distillery in 2022, drawn by its historical significance and the cultural richness of Ireland. Since then, the team has upgraded and tripled its warehouse capacity, expanded production and is modernizing the distillery, ensuring continued growth while maintaining its commitment to quality.

“This rebrand is just the beginning for Hawk’s Rock Distillery,” says Wenz. “Throughout the changes at Hawk’s Rock, our vision remains the same – creating a track record for the aging and blending of award-winning whiskeys – and this name change brings us one step closer to bringing that vision to life.”

While Hawk’s Rock Distillery is closed to the public during renovations, Sazerac has received planning permission to develop a future visitor experience in Sligo.

The post Sazerac Goes Irish For Hawk’s Rock appeared first on The Whiskey Lifestyle.

Crafted by Master Blender Helen Mulholland, Bushmills 28 Year Old Single Malt Cognac Cask is made at the Old Bushmills Distillery. Using the same foundation of all its award-winning single malt whiskeys, 100% unpeated malted barley and the freshest spring water from the nearby River Bush, Bushmills 28 Year Old Single Malt Cognac Cask is then triple distilled in small batches in traditional copper pot stills.

“At Bushmills, the foundation of our whiskey is the quality of ingredients and the experience and skill we have passed down through generations. Throughout my almost 30-year career at Bushmills, I have nurtured this special whiskey from its distillate, experimenting with different taste profiles and finally resting it in some of the world’s rarest and highest quality casks,” says Helen Mulholland. “Maturing this precious malt in former Cognac casks has brought out unique notes and characteristics specific to Cognac, developing the whiskey into something new and distinct for Bushmills, with bold intensity and subtle sweetness. Bushmills 28 Year Old Single Malt Cognac Cask is a time capsule of my career at the distillery, and one of the most complex and layered whiskeys ever released by us.”

Matured in former bourbon and Oloroso sherry barrels for 11 years, the single malt is then finished in ultra-rare Cognac casks for 17 years, each cask having been carefully sourced under the expert direction of Mulholland.

With less than 500 bottles available, Bushmills 28 Year Old Single Malt Cognac Cask will be exclusively available in
the United States at retailers and online at Flaviar.com for $500.

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