When you make whiskey in a distillery in the heart of an historic Irish estate filled with acres of woodland rich in biodiversity, it’s hard not to be mindful of the crucial part played by wood in the Irish whiskey making process. Even more so if, as in the case of Alex Conyngham, you happen to live there too, as part of a family tradition dating back over three hundred years.
The enterprising co-founder of Slane Irish Whiskey is currently involved in planting in excess of 20,000 trees in the grounds of his family home at Slane Castle, as part of a commitment to protect and expand the local woodlands there this year. He also recently launched the special new Wood Series from the Slane Irish Whiskey distillery, observing that, “Wood has always played a crucial part in the Irish whiskey-making process and for our team you could say it’s a part of our brand DNA. We have always been hugely inspired by the impact different wood casks have on the taste of our core blend and this natural experimentation led us to establish the Wood Series.”
The distillery’s latest release is Slane Extra Sherry Wood, which has been expertly crafted under the creative direction of Distillery Manager and Master Distiller Dr Gearóid Cahill and his team. It has been bottled at a robust 45% ABV, and matured using their signature ‘Triple Casked’ method using virgin, seasoned and sherry barrels, with the enhanced influence of Olorosso Sherry Casks intensifying the notes of dried dark fruits and baking spice with hints of chocolate.
This gorgeous whiskey is already garnering great reviews from those who have had a chance to enjoy its unique flavours. Excellent on its own, with ice or as a base for whiskey cocktails, it also works well paired with some very fine produce from the local Boyne Valley region, such as chorizo and salamis from The Wooded Pig, and cheeses such as Boyne Valley Bán and Boyne Valley Blue.
Slane Extra Sherry Wood is available exclusively in The Loop at Dublin and Cork Airports, and at the Slane Distillery in Co. Meath, making the brief hour-long jaunt up the road to check it out, followed by a scenic walk through the ancient woods on the banks of the river Boyne, more than worth your while.
Words: Martina Murray
