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Irish whiskey Clontarf (Clontarf) got its name from the name of the castle near Dublin, where in 1014 King Brian Boru defeated the Viking army. The brand belongs to the American company Castle Brands. Despite the fact that the brand does not belong to the super-premium category, experts evaluate Clontarf as a whiskey with an interesting character and note the lightness and pleasant taste of the drink.
Historical information
Castle Brands was founded in 1998 by Mark Andrews under the name Great Spirits LLC, and changed its name only five years later. In the first decade of its operation, the firm grew its brand portfolio, but since 2014 has focused on several types of alcohol, including rum, vodka, liqueurs and whiskey. In 2019, the company became part of the French group Pernod Ricard.
Whiskey Clontarf was developed by Mark Andrews himself, a great innovator and enthusiast in the field of whiskey production. The businessman adopted a lot from his father, who founded Knappogue Castle in the 1960s, which has earned a reputation as one of the best blenders in the country. Andrews took traditional technology as a basis, but made his own adjustments to it.
The company buys raw materials for production from Irish farmers. The wort is prepared from a mixture of malted and regular barley, and after fermentation it is distilled three times through copper stills. The peculiarity of the technology lies in the fact that the distillate is filtered through a layer of Atlantic oak coal 3,5 meters thick. Then the alcohol is diluted with spring water and placed in charred bourbon barrels for four years. As a result, Clontarf, having all the advantages of the taste of a classic Irish whiskey, is smoother.
Awards:
- San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2005 – gold medal;
- Ultimate Spirits Challenge 2008 – 90 points, “Recommended for purchase.”
Interesting Facts
In 2008, the company rebranded its products. The shape of the bottle has changed, and a mask of a warrior and battlements of an ancient castle have appeared on the black and gold label. At the same time, an active advertising campaign began, in which the brand was positioned as “the new Irish whiskey.”
The last time the design was changed in 2014 in honor of the 1000th anniversary of the victory of the Irish warriors over the Vikings. The label now features a graphic depicting the Battle of Clontarf, and the commemorative year 1014 has been added to the title.
Types of whiskey Clontarf
Clontarf 1014, 40%
Blended whiskey with the addition of a small amount of malt spirits. Light amber color. The aroma has malt and light hints of citrus fruits. It has an unusually light taste with a touch of grain, and cocoa and toffee are added at the finish.
Clontarf Single Malt, 40%
Single malt whiskey bright golden amber color. The aroma is slightly harsh, with herbal tones. On the palate there are malt, bready and woody notes. The finish is long and warm, with nuances of hot pepper.
