Mark Murphy/FFT-Ireland
The Kinsale Spirit Co has announced the launch of Red Earl Irish Whiskey, named after Red Hugh O’Donnell, Earl of Tyrconnell.
Following The Battle of Kinsale in 1601, Red Hugh O’Donnell was seeking aid in Spain when he was killed by an Anglo-Irish double agent and subsequently buried near Rioja.
Red Earl Irish Whiskey, a tribute to his story, is first aged in bourbon, then sherry, and finally matured in Rioja casks.
This premium Irish whiskey is distinctive in that it is one of the first Irish whiskeys to use Rioja casks in the maturing process, which gives the liquid a unique colour, reminiscent of a Rose wine.
Red Earl is Kinsale Spirit Co’s first Irish whiskey, and is the first of the company’s ‘Battle of Kinsale’ series of whiskeys.
The company is currently building a new distillery in Kinsale, Co. Cork, due to open in 2021.
Publican and entrepreneur Ernest Cantillon said: “We were nervous about launching a new product during such an uncertain period, but to be honest it has hit the ground running. Local support has been phenomenal, and we have our first export order, several thousand bottles, heading to China next week.”
Red Earl Whiskey is available to purchase at Bradleys, North Main Street, Cork; 1601 in Kinsale, Co. Cork; irishmalts.com, erinhampers.com, and via www.kinsalespirit.com.