I think part of the challenge is to disassociate it from peated scotch, such as the kind common to Islay. When the Irish whiskey industry was in full flower a century and more ago, though, there were some that incorporated peat smoked barley (the Scots never had the market cornered on using peat for a fuel source, after all) and it is not horribly unusual to find an Irish whiskey double distilled today, even if it is not the norm. Silky smooth and honey sweet start, malts and fruits giving way to the intensifying full bodied peat.

Still, this Connemara expression out of Kilbeggan Distillery, which is owned by the Cooley Distillery, bears the imprint of John Teeling before he sold Cooley to Beam Suntory in 2014.Uniquely west of Ireland taste owing the malted barley being roasted over the turf that comes out of the peat bogs in Ireland. There’s the familiar sweet and freshness I’ve found in many good Irish malts, coupled with the peat, brine and smoke that are surprisingly complimentary. For centuries local distillers created a unique style of whiskey by drying malted barley over peat fires giving it a distinctive smoky taste. I love when friends of mine travelling bring me a present of a bottle of this wonderful Irish made Whiskey. Vibrant aromas of creme brulee, singed flowers, dense spices, and Provence herb soap follow through on a round, supple entry to dryish medium-full body with layers of praline, vanilla bean, and exotic peppercorns.

Tastes of lightly honey sweet, subdued clean rather than sooty smoke with peaty vegetal notes, sweet barley water, light spice and vanilla oak. We have detected that you appear to be using a browser version that is no longer receiving technology updates. It's said that when the Cooley Distillery started up in the late 1980s, it had no plans to make a smoky whiskey, but at some stage peaty malt was bought and run through the stills with fantastic results.Inspired by Ireland's ancient distilling tradtions, Connemara's smooth sweet taste and complex malt and peat flavours make it a truely unique Irish whiskey. I've been eyeing this for a while as I love Irish whiskey and I love peated Islays, so this seemed like a perfect concept, though having read a number of reviews on here I had lowered my expectations. When the doors of the Kilbeggan Distillery were shut in 1953, the people of Kilbeggan could've easily accepted defeat. Inspired by the 18th century art of drying malting barley over peat fires, Connemara® possesses a distinct peaty flavour and aroma,instilling a delicate smokiness and smooth, sweet taste.

Connemara Peated Single Malt Irish Whiskey captures the beauty of this region while reviving its traditions.A limited editon Glass pack featuring the peated Irish Whisky Connemara, which is made at the Cooley distillery, along with a branded tumbler. The smoke rising through the malted barley during this drying process confers the whiskey with a distinct peaty flavour and aroma.