Description
Inchenagh- 46%- 21 yo Cooley Malt- finished in an Oloroso cask followed by second fill bourbon
Inchenagh (Inse Éanach- island; river meadow) is an Island of approximately 76 acres in the northern end of Lough Ree, with a varied and interesting history.
Back in the ninth century, the Bishop and Abbot, Saint Caencomhrac grew weary of being venerated as a prophet, and sought out a life of solitude for himself on the island of Inchenagh, in Lough Ree and died there on July 23rd 898. There are remains of a ringfort on the Island to this day.
Moving forward almost 1000 years, the Island was known for “spiritual” activities of a different sort. In 1843, wake-goers rowed out to Inchenagh to stock up on poitín, only to find the Revenue men and police breaking up the still. One local was killed in the resulting affray and several people on both sides were injured.
In the early part of the 20th century, when there were 4 households and 25 people living on the Island, it was a place of refuge for locals active during the War of Independence. Inchenagh was inhabited until the 1950’s, when the remaining families were re-settled on land overlooking the Island in the Parish of Rathcline. Nowadays, Inchenagh has returned to the quiet place that Saint Caencomhrac would have found, inhabited just by livestock and plentiful wildlife.
The Whiskey:
A rare and exclusive release, this 21 year old Single Malt, distilled in Cooley Distillery, is our oldest release to date. It’s limited to 146 bottles and bottled at 46% ABV.
Maturation:
This tawny coloured Single Malt was first matured in first fill Bourbon cask for 16 years and 3 months, then 2 years, 7 months in a 125L Oloroso cask (resized cask made from an old solera butt) before a final finish of 2 years, 6 months in a second fill bourbon cask.
Nose: This opens with a classic Oloroso Sherry nose, bursting with rich ripe fruit, leading to some lovely tropical fruit notes.
Taste: Ripe fruity opening with citrus, deepening to golden raisins and toasted nuts, with a touch of nutmeg spice.
Finish: Sweet and ripe , with intense tropical fruit and a pleasant hint of tannins.
Overall:
The sherry maturation complements the bourbon maturation periods without overpowering them and the result is a beautifully elegant single malt whiskey. Like all of The Bridge releases, this is a non-chill filtered whiskey with no added colour.