A 100% Irish Spirit blend with the surprising, earthy influence of Tequila and Mezcal casks.
Chapel Gate Whiskey states that they were founded to bring back the lost art of Irish Whiskey Bonding. Back in the day, Irish Whiskey distillers “just” distilled. Local shops, farmers, and entrepreneurs would show up with containers, fill them up, and take them back to their local towns. They would then age it on-site in a variety of casks — some new, some used, sometimes whatever they had on hand — and then sell by the glass or by the bottle. This was called Whiskey Bonding, and it’s what Chapel Gate Whiskey is doing to great acclaim.
J.J. Corry ‘The Battalion’ Batch No. 2 Irish Whiskey is a blend of 60% nine year-old Irish Grain Spirit and 40% thirteen year-old malt Whiskey. After blending, the combined Spirit is finished in ex-Tequila and ex-Mezcal casks to influence the flavor profile — and it could be the first Irish Whiskey to use agave casks. The resulting Irish Whiskey has a noticeable earthy quality and is bottled at 41% ABV for easy sipping. And yes, we totally get the tie in between “The Battalion” and the Mexican casks.
Smartass corner:
The “J.J. Corry” brand on the label refers to a local Whiskey Bonder in County Clare, Ireland. He was an entrepreneur and innovator who started his Whiskey Bonding operation in 1890. “The Battalion” name comes from a local group of Irish soldiers — Saint Patrick’s Battalion — who fought for Mexico during the Mexican-American War from 1846-1848."