Knappogue

In 1966, Texas architect Lavon Dickensheets Andrews and her husband, Mark, stumbled upon the remains of Knappogue Castle, an Irish landmark in County Clare which was originally built by Clan MacNamara in 1467. Struck by the passionate impulse to restore the castle, the couple purchased Knappogue Castle and embarked on their journey to restore its original grandeur.While Mrs. Andrews focused on the architectural details of the project, Mark Andrews began buying casks of the finest pot still Irish whiskey and bottling them under his own independent label, suitably named Knappogue Castle. Andrews was unusual in that he chose to bottle single malt Irish whiskeys, as opposed to blends, which most others were choosing at the time. The last of Andrews selections, Knappogue Castle 1951, was distilled at the now-defunct B. Daly distillery, and since become the oldest and rarest publicly-available Irish whiskey in existence.Knappogue 16 Year Old Twin Wood Single Malt Irish Whiskey carries on the tradition started by the Andrews over a half-century ago. As a single malt Irish whiskey, it is crafted exclusively from unpeated, malted barley before being triple distilled through both pot and column stills. Distilled in November, 1995 and bottled in October, 2012, Knappogue 16 Year Old Twin Wood Single Malt Irish Whiskey was aged for 14 years in ex-bourbon casks before being transferred by the Master Distiller into sherry-infused casks made specially for Knappogue Castle, where it rested for an additional 21 months.As a result of this meticulous aging process, Knappogue 16 Year Old Twin Wood Single Malt Irish Whiskey has a deep, reddish gold color and a rich bouquet of fruits, nuts, malts and peppery spice. The palate is oily and filled with dark chocolate, with further notes of sherry and vanilla extract appearing on the body. The whiskey finishes dry and semi-sweet, with pleasant notes of oak and sherry rounding things out.Only 4,500 bottles of this impeccable whiskey were ever produced, each numbered and signed.Pick up your bottle today!