New whiskeys coming soon

[Michael Foggarty]

There have been rumblings for the last year about Slaine Castle releasing a whiskey, now it will happen.
Intended for the American it will be Cooley Distilled, however it will be available in 1 shop in Ireland

The Connemara finish is due out shortly aswell.

[IrishWhiskeyChaser]

Excellent Michael thanks for the heads up ... great to hear ye'll have some ... can I reserve a few bottles.

We'll be beating a path to the door for the new Slane Castle Whiskey

I see the name was registered on the 5th May in the UK and it was registered February here. So he is obviously covering all bases.

See Here for Ireland

&


See here for UK


I presume the Connemara finish is the Sherry finish.

Keep us posted....

[jcskinner]

Dammit, Michael, that was my big exclusive this week!
There'll be a LOT more info about this come sunday in the paper, and after that in here too, but I spoke to Lord Henry about this a little while ago and I have plenty to tell about it.
It's going to be very interesting - possibly not what people are expecting, I think.

[JohnM]

That's excellent news, especially as it seems like it's not just an old whiskey in new packaging. Look forward to hearing more.

[Michael Foggarty]

I should have another exclusive for you in the next couple of days i havent got permission to mention on the forum yet, but i did tell IrishWhiskeyChaser today when we went to Kilbeggan, IWC keep it quiet for now ! its more than my jobs worth!

[TheWhiskeyBro]

Hi JCSkinner,

Which august Sunday publication will have details of the new Slane Castle whiskey,
look forward to hearing the details,

Can you post article here copyright permitting

Can we say you heard it on IWS.com first!!!!

[jcskinner]

It'll be the Sunday Mirror.
But I had a good chat with Lord Henry and not everything can fit into a wee article in the paper, so I'll do something longer and stick it up in here on Sunday.

[IrishWhiskeyChaser]

Loooking forward to it JC

[jcskinner]

Okay, paper was really tight this week and the Slane interview got slashed to bits. Apologies to anyone who bought it hoping for 2 pages about whiskey!
I spoke to Henry Mountcharles, who writes a column for our daily sister paper, and he told me the following:
This has been in his mind to do for years, because 'you can't download spirits' and because his son Alex used to work for IDL so they know the industry a bit.
The aim is not only to capitalise on the Slane name in the US, but to go after the Irish-American market - the Jamesons market.
The whiskey is a blend (wouldn't tell me the age, but thought to be 7 to 9 yo), made by Cooley and to be distributed by Capstone throughout 10 East coast states. It launches in New York on July 1st, but will be for sale earlier at Slane in the grounds during the Oasis concert.
It'll retail in the US at around 25 to 30$ a bottle, going head to head with the cheaper Irish whiskeys. Capstone want a premium Slane whiskey further down the line, so planning is already underway on that, and there's talk also of a Slane castle microbrew beer.
The branding and marketing will go on the back of the rock angle - the slogan is 'Slane Rocks!' and there is a tie-in with Red Bull to launch a whiskey and red bull cocktail called the 'jumpstart'.
According to Henry, one (unnamed) NYC based spirit critic tasted it blind and rated it higher than Jameson 12 yo, which is perhaps a little fanciful, I don't know.
So we're talking big run, big distribution, decent price point.

[varizoltan]

so there is another reason to go to Slane festival this summer

[TheWhiskeyBro]

Thanks for the heads up JC, luckily I tried before I bought and I didn't buy, could have memorised the two column inches they 'generously' gave you in a flash. Thats editors for you... hope you don't get paid by the printed word!!!

[IrishWhiskeyChaser]

A brief piece on Alex Mountcharles and the Slane Castle Whiskey also. Nothing new in it though. Just that he worked for IDL in Australia.

[jcskinner]

In the Sindo, I presume you mean, Adrian.
Yup, very small piece of an interview with Alex Mountcharles talking about watching gigs out of his bedroom window as a kid.
Of course, Lord Henry only speaks to quality Sunday papers. He delegated the young fella to talk to lesser rags!

[John]

Just saw in the paper today that they are going to launch it on the 20th June in the VIP area at the Oasis Concert? Seems an unusal forum to kick it off? Any IWS members to attend?

[Michael Foggarty]

Here it is just arrived today, along with Peter Mulryans new book

[Michael Foggarty]

I havent tried it, i will wait until the concert next week and give it a go.

[IrishWhiskeyChaser]

..... along with Peter Mulryans new book

IS that the Poitít book?

[DavidH]

..... along with Peter Mulryans new book

IS that the Poitín book?

No, the Irish Whiskey Guide.

[IrishWhiskeyChaser]

Thanks David.

Hey Michael, any idea on price for the Slane Castle?

[John]

Hi Michael,
Also, is there an age statement?
Thanks,
J.

[TheWhiskeyBro]

Hi just got my hands on the Slane Castle Irish Whiskey (Finest Premium Blend)

Currently only a limited amount of pre-release bottles available in the CelticWhiskeyShop priced at €29.99

To be officially launched on the 1 July 2009 in New York, and previewed in the VIP area at Slane.

However the CWS is expected to stock this going forward (afaik).

This is a blended Irish Whiskey, 40% abv, no age statement (batch L9073) aimed primarily at the US market.

On first view it seems to be quite dark compared to other blends so it possibly contains a higher caramel content,
at this price point it is also likely to have quite a high grain content. Targeted at newer/younger whiskey drinkers.

Will open it tonight and post some preliminary impressions and basic tasting notes over the weekend.

Anyway always exciting and welcome to see a new product on the shelves

[IrishWhiskeyChaser]

.... Targeted at newer/younger whiskey drinkers ...

I'm guessing it could well be a fairly smooth & sweet so ...

[truecrippler]

I know it seems cheap to buy but does anyone know if it will be worth collecting?

Thanks.

[IrishWhiskeyChaser]

I know it seems cheap to buy but does anyone know if it will be worth collecting?

Thanks.

The Jury is out on that one .... I have replied more indept to this over in the Collectors Corner which is a more appropriate area for discussing this part of your question.

[IrishWhiskeyChaser]

Cooley seem to be getting in on the 'underage' act

They are working on proposed release of some of the new, 1yr old and 2yr old spirit being produced by the Old Kilbeggan Distillery in 3x10cl pack.

Interesting as they have just been distilling lately testing the new set up.

Hope Kilbeggan works and produces some unique whiskey.