A Pot(Still) of Gold at the End of the Rainbow

With St. Patrick's Day around the corner, I feel duly obliged to share my thoughts on a unique Irish whiskey that, to me, authentically reveals the charm behind the Irish pot stilling tradition. It is likely the Irish distillers in Connacht do not give a shite about an Americanized glorification of their snake-wrangling Saint, but thematically I can't pass up this opportunity.

The whiskey in the spotlight today is the Drumshanbo Single Pot Still – and may I be the first to say,

"This is yummy... and very tasty!"

Less technically speaking, the nose subtly resembles the aroma of agave (surprising) with hints of apricot (more-so anticipated). These aromas are met by a polished level of warm vanilla and caramel. Once on the palate, the triple-distilled Drumshanbo reveals a heavily peated savor – though the creamy richness and accents of vanilla quickly remind you that it is a West Ireland Pot Still you are enjoying and not an Islay Scotch. The well-balanced peat, subtle spice, and vanilla flavors linger for a comfortable amount of time. At 43% ABV, the taste of alcohol is reasonably subdued, so no need to break out the ice. This whiskey is recommended served neat and can easily be enjoyed unaccompanied.

This particular bottle (pictured throughout) was first opened with my father this past week and judging from the bottle's fullness (or lack thereof) it was reasonably enjoyed by both parties. During our tasting, my initial reaction was to draw an equivalence to specific Japanese whiskeys, like Hibiki's Harmony, though the candidly creamy richness created by the pot stilling process pulled me back into the Irish countryside.

Background

According to several sources, Drumshanbo is the first whiskey to come out of the western province of Connacht in over a century. More precisely, Drumshanbo is distilled in County Leitrim, where a well-known river boating town called Carrick on Shannon sits. This is home to The Shed Distillery, a relatively new distillery that is rumored to use medieval Irish copper stills that produce a rather unique creamy flavor profile. Another flavor factor would be the aging casks. For five years – which is two years past the minimum legal requirement – this whiskey is aged in Kentucky Bourbon/Oloroso Sherry wooden casks.

The Shed Distillery also claims that they do not chill-filtered or add color to their whiskey during the blending process that follows the barrel aging.

I am inclined to take their word on this. As you can see, from what is left, this whiskey carries a light amber hue, though it is not as clear as a chill-filtered version could be, since it retains a slight haze.

However, if you look at this whiskey in its box, the color appears far more copper. This bronze hue is a direct result of a shiny metallic inlay inside the packaging. While attractive, this over-the-top packaging cost is likely designed to be a cognitive heuristic to help sell that copper pot still narrative; that said, the packaging is just another feather in the flat cap for this Irish distillery.

Packaging

I would be doing the Drumshanbo tasting experience a deep disservice if I failed to mention the unboxing journey, which was the most satisfying whiskey-opening experience I have ever had. Not only is the box sturdy and well-designed from an information-sharing perspective, but the mechanism for opening the box is relatively exquisite.

As you can see (below), the two lids lift from the top to expose the bottle, which bathes in a bright bronze glow. What these photos fail to impart is the firm sliding action of the lids and the crispy "pop" sound that they make when you pull on them. It's simple, secure, and satisfying.

The level of detail on the bottle is also worth a quick mention. The cork is heavy and well-machined. The paper used for the label is high-quality and the glass is thick. Clearly few expenses were spared.

The reason I focus on the design of the packaging is not that I think it helps to justify the price – this is a tremendous whiskey that is certainly worth the $60 price tag.

I intend to convey that the refined attention-to-detail present in the packaging visually emphasizes the care and attention that this whiskey has received at every point in the distillation process.

Conclusion

In summary, if you find yourself searching for something special in the Irish whiskey category, (regardless of your proximity to St. Patrick's Day) then I would strongly recommend giving the Drumshanbo Single Pot Still a chance to occupy your attention. The flavors are well-balanced, the packaging is superb, and the value-for-money is outstanding.

One-line pitch: A fantastic blend of sweet and peat, this Single Pot Still Drumshanbo is aged in bourbon and sherry casks, resulting in an experience that is remarkably unique while also definitively Irish.

Enjoy Responsibly!