Origin: Drogheda (Ireland)
Typology: Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey
Strength: 47%ABV
Ageing casks: Ex-Bourbon and ex-Madeira
Chillfiltered: No
Additional coloring: No
Owner: Boann Distillery
Average price: € 60.00
Official website: boanndistillery.ie
Vote: 86/100
Boann Distillery is located in Drogheda, in the Boyne River Valley, from which the distillery takes its name, with Boann representing the deity of the Boyne River. The distillery is independently owned and run by the Cooney family. Boann began distilling in December 2019, released 3 single casks to coincide with the 2022 winter solstice and 2023 summer and winter solstices. In fact, 10 minutes from the distillery, there is a monument called Newgrange (older than the pyramids) that was used as a calendar for the seasons, which is why all whiskies wholly produced by Boann, to date, are released during the solstices.
Boann Distillery produces the most traditional style of Irish Whiskey, Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey, which involves a blend of grains, called mashbill: at least 30% malted barley, at least 30% unmalted barley and no more than 5% other grains.
The original distillate is a product of triple distillation in pot still stills.
The stills are Italian, from the company Green Engineering in Siena.
In 2021 their New Make Spirit won the World’s Best New Make.
The Madeira cask I will now taste is made from malted barley, unmalted barley, rye and oats pitched for the summer solstice this year.
Aged in ex-Bourbon casks and then transferred to Madeira Justino casks using a blend of Madeira Sercial, Tinta Negra and Boal casks.
The age of the distillate ranges from 3 years to 3 years and 6 months.
Tasting Notes
Colour: straw yellow
On the nose, one is pervaded almost immediately by hints of citrus fruits such as citron, at times also lemon, grapefruit, orange and a hint of kiwi. A note of grapes and white wine slowly emerges along with cereals such as oats and rye.
On the palate, it abandons citrus and turns into a fruity, creamy and spicy explosion. Fresh fruits such as pear, apple, apricot and loquat give way to creamy hints that are more emphasised, such as caramel, cream and cream. Finally, a spicy note of black pepper and nutmeg.
The finish is of medium length, with hints of lemon, grape, grapefruit and black pepper that is always persistent.
In conclusion, I think the distillery did well to link the releases of the bottlings to the solstices and Celtic mythology, which fits perfectly with Irish history.
This whiskey lends itself perfectly to tasting during an aperitif and is also great with mature cheeses.