Waterford, Irish Single Malt Whiskey, Single Farm Origin, Hook Head, Edition 1.1 (50%, 70cl)

In taking the same approach that some of the world's finest winemakers do with lower intervention vine growing procedures, Waterford are applying these approaches to Barley.  

From the producer:

The lighthouse at Hook Head stands resolute against the full force of the Atlantic Ocean on Ireland’s southern coast, 10 miles from the distillery – so close that Oliver Cromwell vowed to take Waterford 'by hook or by crook' in the 17th century. In its shadow, Martin Foley grows barley on clay/loam soils derived from limestone, belonging to the Elton series. Exposed to the full range of salt-laden storms, sea mists & ocean breezes, it’s an extreme maritime terroir.

Head Distiller's Observations

Appearance: Straw with legs of oils coating the glass.

Nose: Earthy maltiness & fresh soil, citrus peel, breadcrust, clove, white pepper, caramel, milk chocolate, salted popcorn, barnyard, oak green foliage.

Taste: It's a spice bomb up front; with cloves, white pepper, salted caramel, liquorice, ginger biscuits, lemon zest, & chilli chocolate.

Finish: Dry, but it leaves a lasting oiliness that holds the spiciness for a long time.

Extolling a hundred exclusive farms of Irish-grown barley, we search for natural flavours via three paths: our Single Farm Origins pursue the individualism of terroir-derived flavour; our Arcadian Series expresses the intensity of flavour from alternative philosophies and long-forgotten varieties; whilst our Cuvées revel in the ultimate sophistication, where the whole is greater than the sum.