Ballina Single Malt Irish Whiskey announce three-county tasting tour in Galway, Mayo and Dublin
After launching last October, Ballina Single Malt Irish Whiskey are proud to announce a three county tasting tour. Each one will be hosted by their blending manager Stacy Longworth and will feature the two expressions from their core range as well as three distillery and warehouse exclusives. The bar teams at each venue will also be mixing up welcome cocktails for all the guests upon arrival.Details for all of the tastings are as follows:- March 4th, 7.30pm - McSwiggans Galway. Ticket link here.- March 5th, 7 pm - An Sean Sibín, Ballina. Ticket link here.- April 22, 7.30pm - Bar 1661, Dublin. Ticket link here.Located in the small town of Ballina, Ballina Distillery sits on the banks of the River Moy in County Mayo on Ireland’s Northwest coast. Constructed on the site of the old Duffy’s bakery, the distillery was originally opened in 2015 and was the first to be built in County Mayo in 150 years.Over the last year, the distillery has undergone a full rebrand and recently launched their first two expressions. Nothing done at Ballina is rushed as the brand believes that making truly great whiskey takes time.They slowly double and triple distil using 100% Irish malted barley in small batches, while their fermentation is stretched out up to seven days. This gives the spirit its unique body and fruit forward profile before it is left to mature on site to capture the essence of their West of Ireland terroir.Ballina Single Malt Irish Whiskey’s first two releases, a double distilled, double wood and a triple distilled, triple wood reflect this dedication to their craft. Each bottling represents their gentle, considered approach to every element of the whiskey-making process.Dúbailte Double Wood43% ABV, €49.90 available from www.ballinawhiskey.comDúbailte is the brand’s double distilled, double wood signature expression. Matured in a combination of bourbon (55%) and Oloroso sherry (45%) casks, this beautifully balanced whiskey is sweet, rich and complex, offering classic notes from each cask in turn.Nose: Beautifully light with a honeyed sweetness and hints of green apple, pear and honeydew melon.Taste: Medium bodied with vanilla fudge and butterscotch notes developing into classic sherry notes, raisins, dried fruits and a warming spice with a subtle nuttiness.Finish: Warming with lingering notes of walnut and honey.Serving suggestions: Neat, with ginger ale or in a whiskey sour cocktail."Slower distillation means prolonged contact with copper in the stills which adds to the profile of the whiskey," says Blending Manager, Stacy Longworth. "This also gives better control over reflux which concentrates lighter flavour compounds for a less heavy, more nuanced flavour contributing a major element to the unique and refined character of our whiskey."Triarach Triple Wood43% ABV, €59.90 available from www.ballinawhiskey.comTriarach is Ballina’s triple distilled, triple wood expression. Aged in a combination of bourbon (50%), Oloroso sherry (40%) and ruby port (10%) casks. This richly complex expression showcases notes from each of the casks spectacularly. A traditional creation with modern elegance.Nose: Stewed plums and poached pears with a hint of Christmas spices.Taste: Very rich and mouth coating, with multiple layers of flavour. Opening with an initial plum fruitiness and a caramel sweetness married with figs, dates and a touch of nuttiness.Finish: Full bodied with an expression of banana bread and a lingering hint of spice.Serving suggestion: Neat, with a rhubarb soda or in an Irish Manhattan cocktail.“The longer the liquid is allowed to ferment, the more flavour can develop," continues Longworth. "This creates a sweeter, fruitier, and more complex spirit by increasing the production of desirable flavour compounds (esters) and other congeners, which also impart floral and fragrant notes."I find this approach particularly suits our Triarach expression as it accentuates the stone fruit character the ruby port casks impart onto the liquid."For more information, visit www.ballinawhiskey.com and follow them on Instagram @BallinaWhiskey
