Irish Whiskey
Merchants' Quay Blended Irish Whiskey
A taste of things to come from the Copeland Distillery, while we wait patiently for our singe malt and pot-still spirits to mature.
Our unique blend of three whiskeys – grain whiskey, double distilled and triple distilled malts – aged in four different casks, delivering a complex nose and smooth taste. Perfect for sipping neat, or with water, or enjoy as part of your favourite whiskey cocktail. Why not head to our cocktail page for great whiskey serves.
Celebrating the historic quay at Donaghadee harbour, where ships have been launched, casks have been landed and glasses raised for generations.
40% ABV
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Merchants’ Quay Blended Irish Whiskey
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what is the history of whiskey?
Whiskey has had a rich history, believed to have been first distilled in Medieval Ireland and Scotland. Although there is evidence that Irish Whiskey was distilled as early as the 12th century, with Monks bringing back ethanol-based perfumes from Southern Europe. This wouldn’t have tasted like the whiskey we have now, as it was more aromatic, and not aged.
What makes Irish Whiskey unique?
Irish whiskey, or Uisce beatha (‘water of life), is known for a smoother finish, being less smoky and earthy than Scotch Whisky (spelt without an ‘e’). Irish Whiskey is made from a blend of malted and un-malted barley, where Scotch whisky is made exclusively from malted barley. Combined with triple distillation, this blend of malted and un-malted grains gives Irish whiskey its smooth taste.
What types of Irish Whiskey are there?
Single malt Irish whiskey
The single malt is similar to scotch whisky, as it is made from malted barley but within one distillery. Irish whiskey is also usually triple distilled, whereas scotch whisky is normally double distilled.
Single pot still whiskey
Being made from a mixture of malted and un-malted barley, single pot still whiskey is distilled in one distillery and was the most common style of whiskey until the 20th century. Single pot still whiskey was replaced as the most common whiskey with the introduction of blended whiskeys. The main difference between this and single malt Irish whiskey is the addition of raw and un-malted grain.
Grain whiskey
The distillation of grain whiskey is used for more mass production whiskeys. The taste from grain whiskey is usually lighter and has a more neutral taste. Made from a variety of different grains, it is usually made for use with blended whiskeys, but there are some whiskeys on the market that are purely distilled from grain.
Blended whiskey
By taking a mixture of the other kinds of Irish whiskey, blended whiskey uses grain, single (or sometimes double or triple) distilled malt or single pot still whiskey. Blended whiskey is the most common type of Irish whiskey and Scotch whisky in circulation as it is easier to mass produce and keeps the cost down.
What makes Merchants' Quay Blended Irish Whiskey unique?
To create this unique flavour profile, we use grain whiskey which has matured for 12 months in a virgin American oak barrel, then transferred to a re-char bourbon cask for the next 24 months. We also use double distilled malt, which has been matured in American bourbon casks, and triple distilled malt which has been matured in Oloroso sherry casks.
