The Irishman Legacy - our collaboration with Walsh Whiskey

We are delighted and honoured to present our collaboration with our dear neighbours Walsh Whiskey - The Irishman Legacy - a special whiskey produced to commemorate and celebrate 700 years since The Red Book of Ossory was written in Kilkenny, in which Aqua Vitae was first mentioned here, and from whence can our distilling history be traced and with it, present day Irish Whiskey in all it's glorious forms.

Bernard Walsh unveils The Irishman Legacy in St Canice's Cathedral

On Tuesday 28th November 2023 we were privileged to sample The First Drop of this beautiful whiskey in the most splendid surrounds of St Canice's Cathedral in Kilkenny, the very place where The Red Book was written in the 14th Century. We were joined in this celebration by 150 guests from across the Irish whiskey sector and by representatives from the greater Carlow and Kilkenny communities to toast this history and the arrival of this wonderful whiskey. Eddie Langton spoke on behalf of the Guild and our guest speaker was the renowned historian Turtle Bunbury who brought us through the storied connections between Kilkenny and Avignon through the ages, bringing us right back to the present with the story of the roof of the cathedral!

Eddie Langton

John Griffin, Turtle Bunbury and Bernard Walsh

The Irishman Legacy is a single malt expression, initially matured in bourbon and sherry casks before being finished for 15 months in Châteauneuf-du-Pape wine casks from the renowned winemaker – Château La Nerthe. This winery is near Avignon in France and the region was chosen based on historic links with Kilkenny - the writer of The Red Book, Bishop Ledred, was sent to Kilkenny from Avignon in 1317 by Pope John XXII, the papacy was resident there at the time and indeed it is this residency that gives it's name to the wine region Châteauneuf-du-Pape which translates as "The Pope's new castle".

Jim Rafferty, John Griffin, Bernard Walsh, Cyril Briscoe & Eddie Langton We hope that you will savour and enjoy this whiskey with friends and so join us in celebrating this history and this wonderful collaboration. The Irishman Legacy is now available through all Kilkenny Whiskey Guild outlets and through The Loop at Dublin Airport.

Sláinte!

KWG

Tasting Notes:

Nose – A luscious bouquet of red and black fruits. All cherry and blackberry. Hints of oak and leather too. Subtle but making themselves known among the fruitiness.

Taste – An earthiness that invites exploration. Elegant Peach sweetness on the palette. Hints of chocolate, creamy mouth feel, a twist of bay leaf.

Finish – Like a warm Provence sunset. One to savour.

ADDITIONAL UPDATE!! At the Irish Whiskey Awards 2023 on Wednesday 29th November 2023 The Irishman Legacy won GOLD in the category Single Malt 11 Years and Younger. To say we are thrilled is to put it mildly!