Connacht distillery exclusive cask strength single malt named best Irish Whiskey of the year at 2023 Irish Whiskey awards
The Connacht Whiskey Company (CWC) is delighted to announce that its Connacht Single Malt Distillery Exclusive has won Best Irish Whiskey of the Year in the prestigious Irish Whiskey Awards competition. The distillery also received the best in category award for Irish Poitin for its Straw Boys Poitin. The Irish Whiskey Awards competition is now in its 10th year and features Irish whiskey and spirits in twenty categories, so to be named the best of the best is a tremendous honour and one CWC is extremely proud to have received.
Commenting on the award, Thomas Jensen, one of CWC’s Founders and the CEO, stated, “When we started Connacht Whiskey our singular focus was to create great Irish whiskey. Everything we have done from our location in Western Ireland, our custom stills, our selection of Minch Hook Head malt, to a great distilling team including Master Distiller Robert Cassell, Master Blender Julia Nourney, and Head Distiller Ryan Friesen was done to bring a true craft approach to Irish whiskey. Our Distillery Exclusive is the same great double distilled whiskey finished in a 225L French Oak Ex-Oloroso sherry cask that is in our readily available Connacht Spirit of the Atlantic Single Malt, but released at Cask Strength. The fact that our 5 and ½ year old single malt can not only compete but win against some of the greatest whiskey brands in the world gives us confidence that we are doing things right. We have more innovative single malt whiskeys to be released in 2024, and we think Irish whiskey consumers will also find them quite enjoyable.” He went on to say, “The fact that our Straw Boys Poitín also was awarded the best in category demonstrates the quality and care we put into all our new make spirit and the passion we have to help Irish whiskey continue to grow and receive the global recognition it so deserves.”
About the Connacht Whiskey Company
In 2016 The Connacht Whiskey Company laid down the first casks of whiskey to be produced in Mayo in over 150 years. With malted barley from Hook Peninsula, pure Irish water & winds driven in from the Atlantic Ocean, this is a whiskey that has been heavily influenced by Ireland’s maritime climate & every bottle we will release has been crafted by the Atlantic at our distillery in County Mayo. In addition, the company produces a range of award-winning spirits including Connacht Spirit of the Atlantic Single Malt, Connacht Batch One Single Malt, Conncullin Gin, Straw Boys Vodka, Straw Boys Poitin and Ballyhoo Irish Whiskey. The distillery and visitor centre are located in Ballina, County Mayo. For more information visit: connachtwhiskey.com
