Clonakilty Single Pot Irish Whiskey Lot 1

Clonakilty Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey – Lot 1 is the landmark inaugural release of the distillery’s own pot still spirit, marking a major milestone for the coastal County Cork producer. Vibrant and approachable, it showcases classic Irish pot still character—rich barley sweetness, orchard fruit, and warming spice—balanced by subtle maritime freshness. As the first batch distilled and matured by Clonakilty itself, Lot 1 represents both heritage and the promising future of this emerging Irish whiskey house.

Origins & Craftsmanship
Clonakilty Distillery sits along Ireland’s Atlantic coastline in County Cork, where the maritime climate influences the maturation of its spirits. The distillery is notable for its “field-to-glass” philosophy, growing much of the barley used in its whiskey on the Scully family farm overlooking the ocean.

Lot 1 represents the first release of Clonakilty’s own distilled single pot still whiskey, a historic moment for the distillery. Irish single pot still whiskey is defined by a mash of both malted and unmalted barley distilled in pot stills, producing a distinctive combination of creamy texture and peppery spice.

The whiskey is bottled at 46% ABV and crafted from a blend of young but characterful pot still distillates. Approximately:

• 60% consists of four-year-old pot still whiskey aged in ex-bourbon barrels

• 40% is pot still whiskey matured in bourbon casks and finished in Oloroso and Amontillado sherry casks

This layered maturation adds richness, dried-fruit depth, and gentle nuttiness while preserving the distillery’s bright barley character.

The result is a whiskey that combines classic pot still structure with coastal freshness, reflecting the unique terroir of Ireland’s southern coast.

Critics Reviews

• Whisky Advocate – 92 Points
  Whisky Advocate praises the whiskey for its balance of vanilla, soft fruit, honey, toasted oak, and lime zest, noting its well-structured progression from orchard fruit and milk chocolate to dark toffee and caramel with a hint of maritime saltiness.

Independent reviewers have also highlighted the whiskey’s approachable style and flavorful texture, noting notes of salted caramel, orchard fruit, baking spice, and subtle coastal salinity.

Tasting Profile

Nose:
Aromatic and inviting with salted caramel, toffee apple, almond pastry, and orchard fruit, layered with gentle coastal salinity and soft baking spices.

Palate:
Smooth and slightly oily, revealing honey, stewed apples, vanilla cheesecake, milk chocolate, and fresh citrus, followed by classic pot still spice—pepper, ginger, and cinnamon.

Finish:
Medium length with lingering caramel sweetness, orchard fruit, spice, and a subtle maritime note that reflects the whiskey’s Atlantic maturation environment.

Quick Overview

Cocktail Recipes

Pot Still Old Fashioned

• 2 oz Clonakilty Single Pot Still Lot 1

• ¼ oz demerara syrup

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

Irish Orchard Highball

• 2 oz Clonakilty Single Pot Still Lot 1

• 4 oz chilled soda water

• Thin apple slice

Build over ice in a tall glass and stir gently.

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