The oldest brand of Kilbeggan whiskey, produced in the vicinity of the village of the same name in the very center of Ireland, dates back to the middle of the 2,5th century. For more than XNUMX centuries of existence, the blended drink has not only gained many fans around the world, but also won numerous specialized awards.
Jim Murray, author of Whiskey Bible, described the brand’s drinks as “particularly delicious and menacingly seductive.” Kilbeggan products embody the finest Irish distilling and blending traditions.
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History of Kilbeggan Whiskey
The path to success for the famous Irish whiskey was far from easy. Over the 250 years of its existence, the brand has repeatedly been on the verge of extinction. However, every time it was reborn from the ashes.
The first drinks at the oldest licensed distillery in Ireland were released back in 1757. A small distillery on the banks of the Brosna River was founded by Matthias MacManus with the support of Gustavus Lambert.
The enterprise functioned with varying degrees of success: by the end of the 1,5th century, Kilbeggan Distillery was producing about 7 thousand gallons of whiskey per year (about XNUMX thousand liters).
The 19th century was a difficult period for the distillery. In the 30s, an anti-alcohol movement spread in the Irish county of Cork, which led to a drop in sales of all types of alcohol, including whiskey.
In 1878 the plant was destroyed by fire. It was possible to save part of the reserves thanks to local residents who broke open the warehouse door and rolled out barrels with valuable contents. By the way, this was far from the only case when the villagers helped the plant.
New misfortunes fell on the distillery in the XNUMXth century. At first, production was suspended due to food shortages in the country. A little later, the plant had to close due to the introduction of “prohibition” in the United States.
It was only in the early 30s that normal work was restored, only to be curtailed again in the 50s. The distillery was sold to a German entrepreneur who turned it into a pigsty, using unused bottles as the basis for concrete floors.
In the 80s, local residents again helped the famous plant by organizing a fundraiser for restoration and reconstruction. The distillery is up and running. Difficulties in its history still happened, but no longer stretched over decades.
Today, the Kilbeggan brand is owned by Cooley Distillery and is gradually returning to its former glory.
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Features of making whiskey Kilbeggan
In the process of creating drinks, the manufacturer tries to adhere to the old recipe that defines the character of the Kilbeggan line. Blended products still include selected barley malt, wheat and rye.
Unlike most Irish varieties, Kilbeggan whiskey is distilled twice rather than three times, thereby maintaining a high aromatic bouquet.
For aging, mainly bourbon barrels are used, in which spirits spend at least 4 years, acquiring their unique long aftertaste with notes of oak.
Types of Whiskey Kilbeggan
Kilbeggan
A classic blended drink with a strong double distillation character.
Ideal for the first acquaintance with Irish whiskey. Good both in pure form and in combination with cola, ginger ale, soda.
The aroma contains notes of caramel, vanilla, grain, burnt oak.
On the palate, shades of almond, nougat, peach are intertwined, complemented by soft sweetness of malt and light grain notes.
The finish is dry, distinctly woody.
Kilbeggan Small Batch Rye
A drink made entirely in the oldest distillery according to a recipe from 1890. The composition contains malt, barley and rye.
The aroma combines soft shades of green fruits, creamy toffee, white pepper, citrus, ginger.
The taste is warming, with accents of vanilla cream, flowers, cloves, forest sorrel, spices and dry biscuits.
A thin long aftertaste surprises with notes of vanilla, candied jelly and a spicy oily plume.
Kilbeggan Single Grain
The original drink, which is dominated by corn (94% must). The remaining share belongs to barley malt.
The product is aged in bourbon barrels, finishing in wine tanks. The smoothness of the final bouquet is ideal for creating cocktails, while the deep taste will appeal to pure grain whiskey connoisseurs.
The aroma of the drink pleases with bright confectionery notes: coconut cream, vanilla, jelly, red berries.
Sweet taste with hints of biscuits, hazelnuts, light spices and dry oak notes ends with a crunchy plume of glazed cherries and spices.
Collection drinks may differ in aging time and strength (40-43%). Kilbeggan whiskey goes well with citrus juices, syrups, liqueurs, bitters, and is used as an ingredient to create an Irish Coffee cocktail.
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Relevance: 03.04.2019
Tags: Whiskey and bourbon, Whiskey brands