Dear Members,
This month’s tasting offers something truly special, an exploration of Ireland’s native oak, Wicklow’s ancient woodlands, and how both shape one of the most traditional and distinctive styles of Irish whiskey: Pot Still.
We’re delighted to welcome Eoin Cooney from Glendalough Distillery, who will guide us through a tasting that showcases the influence of Wicklow-grown Irish Oak on their craft.
Nestled in the foothills of the Wicklow Mountains, Glendalough’s whiskey is rooted in place and it is this pride of place that saw them among the pioneers of Irish Oak Casks in modern Irish Whiskey maturation when they released their Pot Still Irish Oak Finished Whiskey in late 2019.
Eoin will first take us through a deconstructed tasting of Glendalough Pot Still Irish Oak Cask Whiskey where we will get to sample the New Make Spirit, how it tastes after initial maturation in bourbon casks and then sample the amazing and unique flavours that the secondary maturation in Irish Oak brings to this liquid.
Also as part of the tasting with Eoin members can enjoy the first-ever Peated Pot Still Irish whiskey which also enjoyed an extended secondary maturation in Wicklow-grown Irish Oak, a true first for the category.
Head Distiller and fellow society member, Ciarán ‘Rowdy’ Rooney, knowing how we all like to dive into casks of unreleased wonders has selected 2 warehouse cask samples for us to sample and critique. Both are Single Malts, both currently sitting in Wicklow Grown Irish Oak Casks, one is 10 yo and the other is 20 yo.
This tasting celebrates not just a style of whiskey, but a sense of place. You’ll discover how terroir, wood, and tradition converge to make Glendalough’s spirits stand apart.
We look forward to raising a glass with you and sharing the story of Glendalough where the forest meets the still.
We look forward to raising a glass with you!
Whiskeys Tasted
Booking opens on Thursday 12th of June at 7.00pm. Join the waiting list to be notified as we might be able to get more spots for the event. It is necessary to register and complete payment via Stripe (within 15 minutes) to secure your booking.
Event Booking Terms & Conditions: https://www.irishwhiskeysociety.com/IWS-In-Person-Events
16th October 2025, Wynn's Hotel, Dublin 1 & Online (YouTube)
For our October mid-month tasting, we are thrilled to welcome Cathal O'Connor from Skellig Six18 Distillery for a deep dive into the craft of whiskey maturation and blending.
Nestled on the rugged Skellig Coast in Cahersiveen, Co. Kerry, Skellig Six18 Distillery draws its inspiration from the tenacity and grit of its surroundings. The name itself pays homage to the 618 steps carved by 6th-century monks to reach their monastery on the summit of the formidable Skellig Michael rock. This spirit of perseverance is embodied in their approach to crafting unique Irish spirits that capture the essence of the wild Atlantic coastline.
This special tasting will offer a deconstructed look into their process. We will begin by introducing the brand with their core expressions. Then, we'll explore the art of blending as we taste through the individual components—the ex-bourbon, PX Sherry finished, and ex-peated casks—that come together to create their Triple Cask Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey. We will approach this from the perspective of the blender, understanding the components they work with to create the final, exceptional product.
Finally, we will experience the influence of ABV with a cask strength distillery exclusive, followed by a taste of their 2024 Ruby Port Cask Finish and an exciting pre-release of their 2025 exclusive.
The lineup for the evening will be:
Skellig Small Batch Irish Whiskey PX Sherry Cask Finish 40%
Skellig Triple Cask Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey 43%
Skellig Triple Cask Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey Ex-Peated Cask Component 50%
Skellig Triple Cask Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey PX Sherry Cask Component 50%
Skellig Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey Distillery Exclusive 2023 58.4%
Skellig Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey Distillery Exclusive 2024 58.7%
Skellig Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey Distillery Exclusive 2025 59% (Pre-Launch)
Booking opens on Wednesday 1st of October at 7.00pm. There are spaces available for offline and online tastings. Please make sure to choose the right ticket type. Join the waiting list to be notified as we might be able to get more spots for the event. It is necessary to register and complete payment via Stripe (within 15 minutes) to secure your booking.