The Whistler Calvados Cask Finish Irish Whiskey

A classic blend of Irish malt and grain Whiskies aged in Bourbon barrels but finished in fine Calvados casks for a fruit-forward treat.

Patrick Cooney knows Irish Spirits. He and his brother Nicholas purchased Gleeson — building the beverage-maker through organic growth and acquisitions to a nine-figure Irish giant. Patrick sold Gleeson in 2012 and has turned the family’s attention toward a new legacy — the Na Cuana beverage company and the Boann Distillery. It’s a true family business with his wife Marie, his daughters Sally-Anne and Celestine, and their sons Peter, Patrick, and James. Their brands include Adams Ciders, Boyne Brewhouse craft beer, Robert A. Murray Irish Cream Liqueurs, and The Whistler Irish Whiskies.

The Normandy region of France is famous for their Calvados — or Calva. it is a Brandy made from pear or apple. To those in-the-know, Calvados is as fine and sophisticated as any Cognac. And over the last few years, distilleries in Ireland and Scotland have discovered that these fine Calvados aging barrels do sweet, fruity, and tasty things to Whiskey.

The Whistler Calvados Cask Finish Irish Whiskey starts as the core blend of malt and grain Irish Whiskies aged in ex-Bourbon casks. Once married, the Spirit is re-casked to finish in Calvados barrels. In this case, with Gold Medal winning results at 43% ABV.

Smartass Corner:
Charlemagne the Great (Charles I) was the famous Emperor of France and Rome in the 8th century. He wrote about the apple orchards and cider brewers of Normandy. The first record of distillation of that famous cider into Brandy was documented by Gilles de Gouberville in 1553.