Nestled in the Mourne Mountains in County Down is Killowen Distillery. Established in 2015 by Brendan Carty, it may not be the first distillery that you think of when you think of Irish Whiskey. The distillery only laid down their first whiskey casks several months ago in their truly artisan distillery. Two direct fired stills along with worm tubes to condense the gaseous spirit back into liquid, it cant be the easiest operation to run, but run it does. Early indication from those who have tried their new make spirit is very good. Indeed so are their plans. Double distilled, peated single pot still among others! Innovation is coming and Killowen are at the frontline. While we wait for their spirit to mature into Whiskey, Killowen has launched a small batch Poitin and Gin onto the market from this morning through IrishMalts.com. I’m sure Mrs That’s Dram Good will try the Gin but I am most interested in trying the Poitin which will be a good indicator of things to come! In the meantime, the press release is below.
*****Press Release*****
Almost three years in the making, Killowen Distillery will be releasing its first small batch Gin and Poitin June 16th from 9am, the bottles will be available to order directly online across 31 countries, including the USA. A massive outreach for what looks like Ireland smallest Distillery
Focusing on centuries of Gin making in Ireland, we at Killowen Distillery place seasonal botanicals to the fore, many of which are handpicked from the immediate locality. The result is an unusual gin celebrating its maritime and highland environment within the Mourne Mountains. Killowen’s small batch fuses native botanicals with more recognisable gin botanicals to create a unique well-balanced flavor. The flavor is fine light, fresh and crisp especially when added to a little tonic and a sprig of mint. It smells like hillside of wild flowers containing as it does fuchsia flower, rose hip, elderberry, Angelica and meadow sweet.
Killowen’s unique distillation methods include flame fed stills, worm tub condensation and unique pot stills molded on Irish whiskey stills of old. The Mash Bills (whiskey recipes) are reflective of Irish whiskey from a time when Irish whiskey was the drink of choice throughout the world.
Killowen’s poitin encapsulates these historical disciplines of our native spirit to create a truly superior spirit fitting of the word poitin. It hits the nose with the scent of grass and pine cones. The tongue can taste the oatmeal and vanilla. The spices can be felt in the swallow. At 48% proof the novice may want to dilute.
That's Dram Good 