Knappogue Castle Irish Whiskey

Knappogue_Castle_12_Year_Old_Irish_Whiskey

Knappogue Castle Irish Whiskey is a brand of Irish whiskey produced by the Knappogue Castle distillery. The whiskey is named after the historic Knappogue Castle, which is located in County Clare, Ireland. The brand is known for its high-quality single malt whiskeys, which are aged in oak casks and distilled using traditional methods.

History

Knappogue Castle Irish Whiskey was founded by Mark Edwin Andrews, an American who purchased Knappogue Castle in 1966. Andrews and his wife, Lavone, restored the castle and began purchasing casks of fine pot still whiskey from distilleries around Ireland. These casks were aged and bottled under the Knappogue Castle label. The first bottling was released in 1998, and the brand has since gained a reputation for producing some of the finest single malt Irish whiskeys.

Production

The production of Knappogue Castle Irish Whiskey involves several key steps:

• **Malting**: The process begins with malting barley, which is soaked in water and allowed to germinate before being dried in a kiln.
• **Mashing**: The malted barley is then ground into grist and mixed with hot water to extract the fermentable sugars.
• **Fermentation**: The resulting liquid, known as wort, is fermented with yeast to produce a beer-like substance called wash.
• **Distillation**: The wash is distilled in copper pot stills to increase the alcohol content and refine the flavor.
• **Aging**: The distilled spirit is aged in oak casks for a minimum of three years, although many Knappogue Castle whiskeys are aged for much longer.

Varieties

Knappogue Castle Irish Whiskey offers several varieties, each with its own unique characteristics:

• **Knappogue Castle 12 Year Old**: Aged for 12 years in bourbon barrels, this whiskey has a smooth, mellow flavor with notes of vanilla and spice.
• **Knappogue Castle 14 Year Old Twin Wood**: Aged in both bourbon and sherry casks, this whiskey has a rich, complex flavor with hints of fruit and nuts.
• **Knappogue Castle 16 Year Old**: Aged for 16 years, this whiskey has a deep, full-bodied flavor with notes of oak, caramel, and dried fruit.

Awards

Knappogue Castle Irish Whiskey has received numerous awards and accolades over the years, including gold medals at international spirits competitions and high ratings from whiskey critics.

See also

• Irish whiskey
• Single malt whiskey
• Pot still
• Copper pot still
• Oak cask
• County Clare
• Knappogue Castle