Currach Single Malt Irish Whiskey announces Atlantic Wakame Seaweed Sake Cask Edition
Origin Spirits Ireland Ltd. has announced the launch of its first limited release bottling of Currach Single Malt Whiskey.
Currach Single Malt Irish Whiskey is the first whiskey to be finished in seaweed charred casks.
Made from 100% Irish malted barley, Currach is a triple distilled single malt Irish whiskey, initially matured in 1st fill American oak ex-bourbon barrels before being finished in Atlantic Wakame seaweed charred virgin American oak casks. For this special bottling they have then given the whiskey an additional finishing in a cask seasoned with Tokubetsu Junmai Sake from the renowned Niigata region in Japan.
The additional Sake cask finish adds delicate hints of sweet rice and floral fruits to the unique briny yet sweet maritime notes and green tea undertones of the Wakame charred casks. This limited-edition bottling of 1400 is non-chill filtered, with no caramel colouring, and is bottled at 50.1% alc./vol.
This is truly a 'tale of two terroirs' - Malted barley from the South East of Ireland meets Gohyakumangoku rice from Niigata in Japan’s Chubu region. This is an eclectic fusion of the craft and produce of the Emerald Isle and The Land of the Rising Sun.
Wakame Seaweed:
Sustainably hand-harvested off the wild Atlantic coast of Co. Clare, the Wakame seaweed used to create this whiskey is 100 % naturally grown and organically certified. Wakame, a green seaweed varietal is rare, seasonal, and considered to be the king of seaweeds. It grows in the extreme lower shore on wave-battered rocks and in rock pools in the winter months and is harvested in mid-spring at its nutritional prime.
Sake:
The Sake used to season the casks is an award-winning Tokubetsu Junmai Sake that hails from the renowned Niigata region in Japan. Tokubetsu Junmai ("special pure") is a special designation for high-quality sake. “Junmai” is a style of Sake made from pure rice with no additives. The fact it is of the "Tokubetsu" variety denotes it is a special or premium style of Junmai sake with the rice used being polished to a low degree and extra care having been taken in the brewing process. The rice itself, is Gohyakumangoku rice, which is very well-regarded in the creation of sake, and imparts a wonderful delicate yet intricate flavour profile.
Patrick Shelley, Founder of Origin Spirits Ireland Ltd. said:
We have been overwhelmed by the reaction to Currach Single Malt Whiskey around the world. Being the first ever whiskey to be influenced by seaweed, and celebrating the union of the Irish land and sea, we wanted to push this pioneering spirit further with this edition and tell the story of two terroirs.
The Wakame Sake Edition exudes complexity and elegance - the briny, umami and tropical sweetness of the whiskey is enhanced with the delicate rice and mineral aromas of the seasoned sake cask. This is arguably one of the finest and most interesting whiskey we have ever created and has become a source of inspiration for other innovative limited editions in the years to come.
Official Tasting Notes:
Nose:
A crisp fresh nose with orange citrus and floral fragrances, backed by resinous oak and bark notes, complemented by herbaceous moss aromas with a touch of iodine and seashore scents.
Palate:
Golden caramel syrup on entry, gives way to spiced oak and subtle sea salts, before an explosion of fruits and botanical flavours, with sweet rice hints.
Finish:
Briny yet sweet maritime nuances, with heather and liquorice undertones, give way to a floral green tea finish.
Available from:
Irish Malts
Bradley's - Cork
Ardkeen Quality Food Store - Waterford
World Wide Wines - Waterford
Wine Centre - Kilkenny
RRP: €72-€75
More details on the Currach Irish Whiskey website here