Kilbeggan whiskey: history, overview of taste and types
The oldest whiskey brand Kilbeggan, produced in the vicinity of the village of the same name in the heart of Ireland, dates back to the mid-19th century. For more than 2.5 centuries of its existence, the blended drink has not only gained many fans around the world, but also won numerous specialized awards.
Jim Murray, author of the Whisky Bible, described the brand's drinks as "particularly delicious and menacingly seductive". Kilbeggan products embody the best Irish distilling and blending traditions.
The history of Kilbeggan whiskey
The path to success of the famous Irish whiskey was far from easy. For 250 years of its existence, the brand has repeatedly been on the verge of extinction. However, each time it was reborn from the ashes.
The first drinks at the oldest licensed distillery in Ireland were produced back in 1757. A small distillery on the banks of the Brosna River was founded by Matthias McManus with the support of Gustavus Lambert.
The company operated with varying success: by the end of the eighteenth century, Kilbeggan Distillery produced about 1.5 thousand gallons of whiskey per year (about 7 thousand. liters). liters).
The most difficult period for the distillery was the 19th century. In the 30s, the 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. Some of the stocks were saved thanks to local residents who broke down the warehouse doors and rolled barrels with valuable contents outside. By the way, this was not the only case when the villagers helped the distillery.
New misfortunes fell on the distillery in the XX century. Initially, 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.
Normal work was restored only in the early 30s, 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 a basis for concrete floors.
In the 80s, local residents again helped the famous distillery by organizing a fundraiser for its restoration and reconstruction. The distillery started working. Difficulties in its history still occurred, but no longer stretched for decades.
Today, the Kilbeggan brand is owned by Cooley Distillery and is gradually regaining its former glory.
Features of Kilbeggan whiskey production
In the process of creating drinks, the manufacturer tries to adhere to the old recipe, which determines the character of the Kilbeggan line. The blended products, as before, include selected barley malt, wheat and rye.
Unlike most Irish whiskeys, Kilbeggan is distilled twice, not three times, thereby preserving the high flavor of the 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 Kilbeggan whiskey
Kilbeggan
A classic blended drink with a strong character resulting from double distillation.
Ideal for the first acquaintance with Irish whiskey. Good both neat and in combination with cola, ginger ale, soda.
The aroma contains notes of caramel, vanilla, grain, burnt oak.
The flavor combines hints of almond, nougat, peach, complemented by mild sweetness of malt and light grain notes.
The finish is dry, distinctly woody.
Kilbeggan Small Batch Rye
A drink entirely made at the oldest distillery according to the recipe of 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.
The delicate, long-lasting aftertaste surprises with notes of vanilla, candied jelly and a spicy, oily finish.
Kilbeggan Single Grain
An original beverage with a predominantly corn composition (94% of the wort). The remaining share belongs to barley malt.
The product is aged in bourbon barrels and finished in wine tanks. The smoothness of the final bouquet is ideal for creating cocktails, and the deep flavor will appeal to connoisseurs of pure grain whiskey.
The flavor of the drink pleases with bright confectionery notes: coconut cream, vanilla, jelly, red berries.
The sweet taste with hints of biscuits, hazelnuts, light spices and dry oak notes ends with a crispy trail of glazed cherries and spices.
Drinks of the collection may differ in terms of aging and strength (40-43%). Kilbeggan whiskey goes well with citrus juices, syrups, liqueurs, bitters, and is used as an ingredient in the Irish Coffee cocktail.
Update: 03.04.2019
Category: Whiskey and Bourbon