Origin Spirits Announces New Currach Single Malt Irish Whiskey
Origin Spirits Ireland Ltd, a pioneer in single malt spirits, has announced the launch of its latest commercial release whiskey, Currach Single Malt Irish Whiskey – Atlantic Wakame Seaweed Cask.
Currach Single Malt Irish Whiskey is the first to be finished in seaweed charred casks. Currach’s first expression was made with Irish Atlantic Kombu Kelp seaweed, a brown seaweed varietal, launched in March 2020. After the success of its initial Atlantic Kombu release, Origin Spirits has released its second whiskey expression. Currach Single Malt Irish Whiskey – Atlantic Wakame Seaweed Cask.
The same process is used to create both expressions, the only variance being the seaweed used to char the individual casks. The flavours from both products are starkly different. They share the same single malt base while having distinctive sweet, savoury and maritime qualities of their own. Origin Spirits hopes to show the diversity of Ireland’s maritime terroir, and how this influences their single malt whiskey.
Made from 100% Irish malted barley, this is a triple distilled single malt Irish whiskey, initially matured in first-fill American oak ex-bourbon barrels before being finished in Atlantic Wakame seaweed charred virgin American oak casks. It is non-chill filtered, with no caramel colouring, and is bottled at 46% alc./vol. The initial batch is limited to only 3000 bottles.
About Wakame Seaweed: Sustainably hand-harvested in mid-spring/early summer, off the wild Atlantic coast of Co. Clare, Wakame seaweed is 100% naturally grown and organically certified. Wakame seaweed grows in the extreme lower shore in rock pools along the coast of Ireland. Wakame has a distinctive taste and texture. It has a briny, salty, and umami flavour with a degree of sweetness.
Patrick Shelley, Founder of Origin Spirits Ireland Ltd. said; “Our vision with Currach was to create a single malt Irish whiskey inspired by the various elements of the Irish terroir. We are fortunate to have some of the best malted barley in the world and our coast yields an abundance of organic and sustainable seaweed. The union of these elements together in a whiskey is a world’s first.
We were very encouraged by the success of our initial Kombu release which is now available in 20 countries, and wanted to let our consumers further discover the diversity of Ireland’s maritime terroir with our Atlantic Wakame Cask”
“Currach Atlantic Wakame Cask is a whiskey of sensory paradoxes. At its heart, it is a smooth Irish single malt but with the subtle briny and maritime characteristics often found in Scotch, thus giving it a uniquely rich, multi-layered and complex character”
Tasting notes provided by Origin Spirits:
Nose: An intriguing and enticing nose, as sea salt and rye cracker aromas give way to a golden caramel sweetness, backed by vegetal hints with a touch of iodine.
Palate: Cracked pepper and oak spice, followed by briny yet sweet maritime notes, complemented by a white wine fruitiness, butterscotch and herbal green tea undertones.
Finish: An elegant sweet and salty finish with a touch of licorice and plenty of umami and maritime character.
Currach Atlantic Wakame Cask will retail for 60,00€ (Ireland)
It is expected to be available in the U.S. in Fall, 2021.
Available now at originspirits.ie, Irishmalts, Celtic Whiskey Shop, Ardkeen Quality Food Store, Bradley’s Specialist Off-Licence.
Social Media: @currachwhiskey
