Clonakilty Cask Finish Series Port Cask Blended Irish Whiskey

Clonakilty Cask Finish Series Port Cask Blended Irish Whiskey is a vibrant coastal Irish whiskey that layers classic triple-distilled smoothness with luscious fruit richness from Portuguese port casks. Elegant, approachable, and beautifully balanced, it delivers sweet red-fruit character, gentle spice, and silky texture—making it an excellent introduction to the innovative cask-finish style emerging from modern Irish distilleries.

Origins & Craftsmanship
This expression comes from Clonakilty Distillery in County Cork, Ireland, perched dramatically along the Atlantic coast where maritime air and cool coastal conditions influence the maturation of its spirits.

The Port Cask Finish release is part of the distillery’s Cask Finish Series, designed to highlight how secondary maturation in distinctive wine casks can transform Irish whiskey. The blend combines Irish malt whiskey with approximately 9-year-old grain whiskey, both triple distilled in traditional Irish fashion.

The whiskey first matures in ex-bourbon barrels, then receives its signature finishing period in port wine casks sourced from Portugal’s Douro Valley.
These casks impart vibrant fruit sweetness, deeper color, and a layer of wine-driven complexity to the whiskey’s smooth grain and malt foundation.

Bottled at 43.6% ABV, the whiskey retains both character and approachability—making it suitable for sipping neat while remaining versatile in cocktails.

Critics Reviews
Professional reviewers have responded positively to this port-finished expression.

• The Whiskey Wash scored the Clonakilty Port Cask Finish 8/10, noting its elegant character and distinctive fruit influence from the port casks.

• The broader Clonakilty Cask Series has also been praised for delivering refined and well-crafted Irish whiskey expressions, with reviewers describing them as “great examples of craft Irish whiskey.”

These reviews highlight the distillery’s success in marrying traditional Irish whiskey style with modern finishing techniques.

Tasting Profile

Nose:
Delicate aromas of red berries, dried orange peel, vanilla, and sweet grain, accompanied by subtle floral notes and a touch of warm spice.

Palate:
Smooth and lightly creamy with flavors of cherry, raisin, soft baking spice, and citrus zest, supported by gentle oak and port-derived fruit richness.

Finish:
Medium-long and elegant, fading with red fruit sweetness, subtle chocolate notes, and lingering spice.

Quick Overview

Cocktail Recipes

Port Cask Irish Old Fashioned

• 2 oz Clonakilty Port Cask Finish

• ¼ oz demerara syrup

• 2 dashes aromatic bitters
  Stir with ice and strain over a large cube; garnish with an orange peel.

Irish Port Highball

• 2 oz Clonakilty Port Cask Finish

• 4 oz soda water

• Lemon twist
  Build over ice in a tall glass and gently stir.

This distillery is perched 200 feet above the Atlantic Ocean in Cork County, Ireland.