Blackwater Distillery has released a very special whisky, first made two hundred years ago at the long-closed Clashmore Distillery in West Waterford.
During its first distilling season in 1824/25 we know what the Clashmore distillery made, but until now, not what it tasted like. Working with local historian Liam Dunne and whisky archivist Charley Roche, Blackwater Distillery’s Head Distiller John Wilcox has remade the kind of whisky made at Clashmore and enjoyed in West Waterford two centuries ago.
The resulting whisky is something of an ode to the oat, matured exclusively in sherry wood (there were no bourbon casks). The high oat content is typical of whiskies from this period and also reflects the kind of grains grown in West Waterford at this time, primarily used to feed horses.
Prior to the establishment of Blackwater Distillery, Clashmore was the last distillery in Waterford and it was closed by the 1840s. The distillery chimney still straddles the river Greagagh which runs through the heart of the village.
The first bottle of this limited release of only 420 bottles was presented by Caroline Senior of Blackwater Distillery to Glynnis Casey, Clashmore Tidy Towns; Richard Casey, Jazz Fitzgerald and Richard Torney, Clashmore and Kinsalebeg Community Council.
“It’s very exciting to see history come to life like this,” said Richard Casey, adding that “it’s great publicity for the village.” Richard Torney agreed, “I love Irish whisky,” he said, “so that’s the best bit!”
On behalf of Blackwater Distillery, Caroline Senior said, ‘two hundred years after it first opened, it’s fantastic to be able to celebrate Clashmore distillery. With its limited availability and rich story, Clashmore 1824 will surely become a treasured collector’s item.’
As a thank you to the community of Clashmore, Bottle No. 1 has been donated to the Clashmore and Kinsalebeg Community Council for fundraising purposes. This will be raffled at the Christmas Market on Sunday 8th December in Clashmore and all funds raised will go to the West Waterford Rapid Response Vehicle Appeal.
Thislimited-edition single-barrel release, crafted with passion and rooted in heritage is bottled at 47.2% alc/vol in 50cl bottles, with only 420 individually numbered bottles available.
Clashmore 1824 release is one of three new limited bottlings from the Ballyduff based distillery which has also just launched Oaty McOatface, a pot still whisky and Peat the Magic Dragon II, Return of the Dragon, a smoky single Malt.
All whiskies are available for sale from blackwaterdistillery.ie
