America’s first Irish-American winery has teamed up with Ireland’s Cooley distillery to launch Concannon Irish Whiskey—the only Irish Whiskey mellowed in Petite Sirah wine casks. This special project is a unique expression of Concannon’s American and Irish roots. The first cases of Concannon will reach Americaan consumers in January 2012 and initially will only be available to the U.S. market.
“The United States is presently the largest market for Irish whiskey and growing,” said John Concannon, Fourth Generation Vintner of Concannon. “We’re thrilled to offer a unique take on the category to American consumers with Concannon, a fiercely independent spirit from Ireland’s sole craft distillery that shares the heritage of both cultures as so many Irish-Americans do.”
A refined blend of malted barley and corn, Concannon Irish Whiskey is craft distilled for proper balance of character and purity, then matured in bourbon barrels for a minimum of four years. Concannon Petite Sirah wine barrels are transported from California to Ireland, where a portion of the whiskey is then finished for four months before blending. Known as “The Concannon Effect” this gives Concannon Irish Whiskey a uniquely fruity character.
“In the 1900s Irish whiskey was the drink of choice, but the industry took a serious blow thanks to the Irish War of Indepedence, U.S. prohibition and the boom of Scotch blended whisky,” said John Concannon. “Now the industry is experiencing a renaissance, much like that of the great American invention, the cocktail. We can’t wait to introduce Concannon in this watershed moment.”
The product will ship nationally on January 16, 2012. It can be found at specialty shops and fine liquor stores. The suggested retail price is $24.99 for a 750 mL bottle.
