Currach Single Malt Irish Whiskey – Atlantic Kombu Seaweed Cask
I was lucky enough to be one of the first people to taste this Irish Whiskey before it’s general release. Stephen Randall hand delivered 50 taster samples to some close friends and Irish Whiskey Bloggers for a Tweet Tasting on “DavesWhiskey” #SundayNightSup – This whiskey is unique, complex, interesting and overall delicious.
Currach Single Malt Irish Whiskey is a fusion of tradition and innovation, Celebrating one of the oldest and most venerable boats in the world. The Currach was a vessel of knowledge that enabled the early Irish monks to explore distant lands while harvesting expertise. Handcrafted like Currach whiskey, these boats played a pivotal role in Irish life and commerce.
Using the finest of Irish malted barley, this contemporary single malt whiskey is triple distilled before being aged in ex-bourbon casks and is then finished in unique seaweed charred virgin oak casks. It’s this perfect union of the Irish land and sea that creates a rich multi-layered whiskey with a delicate umami character.
“Our seaweed is traditionally charred in small batches inside virgin
Stephen Randles
American oak casks to impart a delicate and uniform umami
fragrance into the wood. Once ready, we fill these casks with our
single malt Irish whiskey and allow to finish for three months.
The result is a magical fusion of two terroirs – Land and sea.”
The Creators
Origin Spirits Ireland Ltd, creators of Kalak Single Malt Vodka and Ornabrak Single Malt Gin are pioneers in avant-garde single malt spirits. Each product celebrates the best of Ireland’s terroir, tradition of distillation and spirit of creativity – This DNA transverses the portfolio. Each product is unique yet shares the same ‘Single Malt’ backbone. Each transports one on a sensory voyage to the heart of the Irish terroir.
Following the same ethos, Currach Single Malt Irish Whiskey is a true
innovation in the whisk(e)y world, and the first whisk(e)y to be finished in
seaweed charred casks – Currach’s first expression with Irish Atlantic Kombu Kelp will be released in February 2020.
Wild Irish Seaweed & Casks
Sustainably hand harvested by The Talty Family off the coast of Co. Clare.
All our seaweeds are 100 % naturally grown and organically certified.
Fourth Generation Seaweed Harvesters, The Talty Family ensure only the finest seaweeds make it to the marketplace.
Back when Wild Irish Seaweed was born, seaweed was not “sexy”. The Talty family started attending farmers markets, trade shows and in store demonstration to show people that seaweed tastes great and has an abundance of health benefits. In 2010 Wild Irish Seaweed began Seaweed Safari Tours to educate customers on sustainably harvesting, drying, cooking and eating seaweeds at home. Taking customers on a tour of Caherush point, Wild Irish harvesting grounds and their purpose built Seaweed Centre overlooking the Wild Atlantic.
A Family Business
Wild Irish Sea Veg was established in 2009 By Gerard & Eileen Talty. Very much a Family company daughters Orla, Emma, Allisha and son Evan are always on hand to help the harvest. Their 4 Grandchildren Ellie, Kayla, Lexi & Cody are never far from the action either!
Seaweed Harvesting has long been a family tradition with Michael Senior A.K.A Granda Mickey being a purchaser for Irish Marine products from 1960’s – 1980’s. In 2009 the Talty Family with just two products in their local shop Carrageen and Dillisk, They now have over 23 products spread across 3 ranges; Edible, Skincare & Pet & Land care.
NOSE
A complexity of aromas, where the sea meets the land. Damp wood, iodine and salt. This is layered over a nutty, smokey sweet biscuit-y flavour. The roasted kombu seaweed add a complexity I have never experienced before. It invokes memories of a campfire by the sea.
PALATE
Salted caramel, dark chocolate and sweet burnt toffee in abundance. Smoke and iodine combine beautifully, with deep layers of earthiness to give a rich umami mouth feel. Coffee on an autumn morning over an open fire.
FINISH
The finish is earthy and smokey. There is a delicious taste of toasted mushrooms with a peppery spices that lasts for a long time. As the flavours disappear it makes you reach for another sip… remembering the Atlantic coast and the west of Ireland.
Where to Drink: Currach Single Malt Irish Whiskey
Tell us where you have found it, we are still looking for the best pub to sip it?
Every Whiskey Tells a Story, What Will Yours Be?
Sláinte from The Whiskey Trail
#EatDrinkExplore – by Paul Kavanagh