Clonakilty O’Hara’s Cask Finish Special Edition – Category Winner in Small Batch Single Malt 12 Years & Under at the World Whiskey Awards 2022.
18th February 2022:
Clonakilty Distillery has added another two awards to its growing collection of accolades after their Minke Vodka was named Best Irish Varietal Vodka at the recent World Vodka Awards, and their Clonakilty O’Hara’s Cask Finish Special wins in the Single Malt Small Batch category at the World Whiskies Awards 2022.
Their Minke Vodka came out on top following a series of judging rounds by a panel of leading distillers and experts from the vodka industry.
The World Whiskey and Vodka Awards are global competitions that identify the best in all internationally recognised genres and promote premium quality vodka and whiskey to consumers and trade markets throughout the world.
Currently the number one spirit consumed in Ireland, vodka is a relatively new departure for the Clonakilty Distillery, who launched their whey-base spirit in 2020.
However, following its launch, Minke Vodka has made waves in the industry and the World Vodka Award is the second award the product has received over the last 12 months as it also scooped the Gold Award in the Smooth category at the Spirits Business Vodka Masters in 2021.
Judges at the awards revealed the criteria for the category which led Clonakilty Distillery to come out on top for their Minke Vodka,
They remarked: “The Varietal Vodka is awarded to a vodka that is intended to be enjoyed neat or in cocktails whereby a little character determined by the base ingredient is acceptable, sought after and relished. A pure, clear and clean vodka, but not necessarily neutral by any means. “
Minke Irish Vodka – Winner Best Irish Varietal Vodka at the recent World Vodka Awards 2022.
Meanwhile, their Clonakilty O’Hara’s Cask Finish Special Whiskey was also triumphant in the Single Malt Small Batch category, with a Single Malt Small Batch whiskey defined as a Single Malt whiskey produced using the contents of no more than 100 casks.
Head Distiller at Clonakilty Distillery Paul Corbett said they were delighted with the recognition for both products:
He said : “ We are over the moon to have won a second award this week. It’s a credit to the team here to be able to win awards in two different categories of spirits. We are delighted to have won best Irish varietal vodka. A slow distillation process produces an exceptionally clean vodka while the use of a whey spirit base imparts a smooth velvet mouthfeel. As a result, Minke Vodka is perfect to enjoy neat or in a cocktail.
He added: “O’Hara’ s brew exceptional beers and on nosing the casks before filling I knew we were going to be crafting something special. The resulting single malt has a complex blend of chocolate, fruit and spice notes with a rich mouthfeel and we’re delighted it has been recognised too.”
Clonakilty Distillery’s Minke Vodka is currently available to purchase from Supervalu and Centra stores as well as from their online. Their Clonakilty O’Hara’s Cask Finish Special is also available online.
To keep up to date with all things Clonakilty Distillery, check out Clonakilty Distillery on Twitter @clondistillery, on Facebook @clonakiltydistillery and on Instagram @clonakiltydistillery For more information visit https://clonakiltydistillery.ie/
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – From “Minke Gin” to “Minke Vodka” – Clonakilty Distillery have added to their growing portfolio of exceptional spirits with the launch of a new premium Irish vodka.
The Distillery, which already boost a renowned reputation as a producer of award-winning whiskeys and gin, launched Minke Irish Vodka on Friday of the May Bank Holiday weekend.
Responding to Europe’s booming cocktail culture, Clonakilty have crafted a contemporary and modern new spirit, which reaffirms the company’s commitment to innovation.
Michael Scully, founder of Clonakilty Distillery said – “We are very excited to finally launch Minke Irish Vodka into the market and feel it will only enhance our reputation as a producer of premium Irish spirits. This is a superb new release for Clonakilty and further demonstrates our commitment to innovation, while respecting tradition and craft”.
Michael Scully, Founder of Clonakilty Distillery.
Minke Irish Vodka
Distilled from whey alcohol in the distilleries copper pot still, Minke Vodka is a smooth and sophisticated spirit, offering a premium drinking experience.
Where most Irish vodkas are distilled using a grain-based alcohol, Minke Vodka uses a whey base spirit, derived from milk produced on the 9th generation family farm. Using whey alcohol as the base spirit delivers a velvety mouthfeel which coats the palate.
As with the gin, Minke Vodka is inspired by the Minke Whale, the majestic creatures that swim wild in the Atlantic off the coast of Clonakilty.
How to enjoy Minke Vodka
The luxuriously smooth vodka can be sipped easily or enjoyed over ice with a splash of tonic and a wedge of lime.
Elegant and refined, Minke Vodka is perfect in a cocktail. The signature smoothness imparts its velvety mouthfeel and texture to any creative concoction. Without overpowering the other flavours, the vodka simply compliments them, adding a silky sensation with every sip.
Sure to be an instant hit with mixologists, Minke Vodka guarantees a sophisticated drinking experience, working well in both traditional and new cocktails.
Minke Irish Vodka
Where to buy
Minke vodka will retail at €33.95 and is now available exclusively in Centra and Supervalu stores nationwide.
Clonakilty is Irelands maritime distillery located on the southwestern tip of Ireland. Founded by the Scully family in 2016, the distillery includes an award-winning visitor experience and gin school. The family grow their own barely and mature whiskey on the farm by the oceans edge.
Wild Atlantic whiskey cocktail. Think power, freedom, escapism, relaxed, confidence, perfection. Now we’re not talking about the cocktail. Rather, how you will feel after drinking this cocktail. Created for anyone who’s had a stressful week, this cocktail has just the right amount of perfection to help you unwind and find yourself at ease.
Clonakilty Double Oak Cask Whiskey, eases nicely on to the palate in this cocktail with its subtle soft spice tones and sweet burst of vanilla flavours. Without it being overpowering it’s just the right amount of flavour with a long finish.
I N G R E D I E N T S 40ml Clonakilty Double Oak Cask Whiskey 20ml Regal Rogue Bold Red 2 Drops Seaweed Bitters 1 Drop Angostura Bitter 5ml Smoked Sea Salt Syrup Suggested Glassware: Highball Glass
M E T H O D Add all ingredients in to a cocktail shaker and gently stir. Top the drink with Tonic Water.
SMOKED SEA SALT SYRUP
I N G R E D I E N T S 20 grams Smoked Sea Salt 30 grams Demerara Sugar 50ml Hot Water
M E T H O D Place all ingredients in to a glass
S E R V I N G Finally add ice to the drink and garnish with Rock Samphire.
Now, all that’s left is to enjoy this Clonakilty Wild Atlantic whiskey cocktail!
The good news just keeps on coming for the team at Clonakilty Distillery after winning the latest in a long list of allocades for 2021.
The Cork based distillery recently announced they won Best Irish Sloe Gin at the World Gin Awards in London.
Following a blind tasting by a panel of expert judges, Minke Sloe Gin beat out stiff competition and won the prestigious award.
Helen Scully, who co-created the distillery’s Minke Gin recipe, expressed her delight in being recognised at an internationally acclaimed standard.
She said; “This is a wonderful achievement for the entire team here at Clonakilty. We are extremely proud of everyone involved and it is a testament to our commitment of ensuring the highest standard when producing this gin”.
And the celebrations don’t end there – in what is a tremendous personal achievement, Ewan Paterson, Visitor Experience Manager at the distillery, received the “Highly Commended” award in the “Visitor Attraction Manager of the Year”, category.
“This has been an extremely challenging year for the drinks and tourism industry, and to be recognised in such a competitive global category is a real honour”, Ewan stated. Credit is due to the entire tours team here at the distillery without whom this would not be possible”.
Early this month Clonakilty Distillery also received not one but two Highly Commended Awards at the prestigious Icons of Whisky Awards 2021.
For the second year running, the distillery received the ‘Highly Commended’, in the Irish ‘Craft Producer of the Year’, category. Paul Corbett, Head Distiller at Clonakilty, also received the ‘Highly Commended’ award in the ‘Master Distiller/Master Blender’, category.
It’s safe to say that 2021 is shaping up to be a very good year for Clonakilty Distillery.
It’s been a great start to 2021 so far, as we are extremely proud to announce Clonakilty Distillery recieved not one but two Highly Commended Awards at the prestigious Icons of Whisky Awards 2021.
For the second year running, Clonakilty Distillery received the ‘Highly Commended’, in the Irish ‘Craft Producer of the Year’, category. This is a credit to everyone involved and we are justifiably proud as it recognizes the real team effort from every single individual over the past unprecedented and difficult 12 months.
Paul Corbett,our Head Distiller, also received the ‘Highly Commended’, award in the ‘Master Distiller/Master Blender’, category. This is a tremendous personal achievement and an independent recognition of the great work that Paul does for Clonakilty Distillery.
We would like to thank Icons of Whisky, and congratulate everyone involved in this years award ceremony.
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