| Brand | Connemara |
| Region | Ireland |
| Spirits Type | Whiskey |
| Spirits Style | Single Malt |
| ABV | 40% |
Product details
Connemara stands proudly as Ireland’s only widely available peated single malt whiskey, a bold revival of 18th‑century Irish peat‑smoking traditions. Produced at the venerable Cooley Distillery in County Louth—founded in 1987 and now part of Suntory Global Spirits—Connemara channels an authentic artisanal process. Malted Irish barley is gently dried over peat fires, imparting a delicate smokiness; the spirit is then double‑distilled in slender, tall pot stills and matured in American bourbon casks. This method yields a character both rooted in Irish terroir and evocative of coastal Islay—smoothing centuries of Irish whisky history into a single glass of contemporary craft.
On the nose, expect fragrant sweet barley harmonized with soft peat smoke, floral heather, honey, and oak tones. The palate opens smooth and honeyed, unveiling malted fruit, vanilla‑oak richness, and a medium‑soft peat presence (around 14–15 ppm), offering a peaty profile without overpowering the spirit’s inherent elegance. Whether neat, over a single large ice cube, or enjoying an Irish‑smoke riff on a Penicillin cocktail, Connemara pairs superbly with smoked salmon, charcuterie, mild cheddar, and dishes featuring earthy mushrooms, grilled leeks, or creamy root‑vegetable purees. Its balanced smokiness also complements robust dark chocolate or artisanal toffee—not to mention a classic Irish coffee enhanced by a whisper of peat.
