Are you curious about the origins of Whisky's natural flavour?

Enter your email address for articles & updates - & to hear about new Waterford Whiskies.

IT'S JUST A QUESTION OF MATURATION. BY ENTERING YOU NOT ONLY ACCEPT OUR INTELLECTUAL CHALLENGE, BUT ALSO
THE USE OF COOKIES & INFORMATION COLLECTION TO ENHANCE YOUR EXPERIENCE.

Are you legally old enough
(and sufficiently curious)
to enjoy terroir-driven whisky?

Key Facts

GROWER Evan McDonnell
FARM Mortarstown
EDITION 1.1
HARVESTED 31 August 2015
DISTILLED WEEK 06 2017
Maturation 3 YEARS, 11 MONTHS, 30 DAYS
ABV 50%
No. of Bottles 5,000
For Market Belgium
Bottled March 2021

Mortarstown, Co. Carlow

Mortarstown lies within the meanders of the stately River Barrow just 2 miles south west of Carlow. Here Evan McDonnell farms on the river’s flood plain, enriched by silt and alluvium. The area is shaped by the Weichsel Glaciation, with its resultant glacial till of mainly limestone origin; the Elton series is said to be the most fertile land in Co. Carlow.

The Sound of Mortarstown

A dry and warm Summers day at Mortarstown. This track starts out on the banks of the River Barrow, which forms a boundary on the western edge of the farm as it runs past, heading south. Moving east, away from the river and into the fields, the sound is busy with wildlife. A light breeze blows through the barley. Traffic travels past on the nearby Leighlin Road. Heading back towards the yard, and with rain forecast, the McDonnells are finishing off the silage in some of the smaller fields.

BARLEY TIMELINES

SOWN 22 February 2015
HARVESTED 31 August 2015
Arrived at Cathedral 1 September 2015
Went to Maltings 11 August 2016
Arrived at Distillery 28 September 2016
Fermentation Started 13 October 2016
Distillation Started 16 October 2016
Distillation Finished 23 October 2016
Filled at Warehouse 28 October 2016
Marriage of Casks 27 October 2020
Sent for Bottling 14 February 2021

TERROIR

FIELDS
SOIL
series Elton Association
type LUVISOL
pdf Elton Association
description Fine Loamy Drift, Elton Association soils composed of (Elton, Kellistown, Baggotstown, Mylerstown, Ballylusky, NewInn, Cloonmore, Newtown and Greenane)
elevation 460 - 530 FEET
sunlight AVERAGE 5 - 5.5 hours

BARLEY, YEAST & WATER

VARIETY Irina
Yeast Mauri Distiller's Yeast
Production Water Volcanic Aquifer
Fermentation 100 Hours

Head Distiller's Observations

Appearance: Old gold with legs that look like sun rays.

Nose: Dark chocolate, raisins, plums, cherries, fruit cake, hay dust earthy, apple drop sweets, liquorice, almonds, cloves, blood orange and cinnamon.

Taste: Ripe banana, barley sugar sweets, cloves, peppercorns, green peppers, coconut, herbal tea, lime mint leaf and liquorice.

Finish: Light spice with dryness that gently meanders into contentment.

WOOD

cask no. cask type cask fill cooperage fill date farm
6767 U.S. First Fill 198.91 Heaven Hill 28 October 2016 MORTARSTOWN
6768 U.S. First Fill 200.38 Heaven Hill 28 October 2016 MORTARSTOWN
6769 U.S. First Fill 199.22 Heaven Hill 28 October 2016 MORTARSTOWN
6701 U.S. First Fill 195.87 Heaven Hill 28 October 2016 MORTARSTOWN
6702 U.S. First Fill 197.8 Heaven Hill 28 October 2016 MORTARSTOWN
4953 U.S. Virgin 198.77 Speyside Cooperage 28 October 2016 MORTARSTOWN
4954 U.S. Virgin 201.01 Speyside Cooperage 28 October 2016 MORTARSTOWN
4955 U.S. Virgin 200.23 Speyside Cooperage 28 October 2016 MORTARSTOWN
4553 French 225.47 Margaux 28 October 2016 MORTARSTOWN
4554 French 225.29 Margaux 28 October 2016 MORTARSTOWN
4504 Vin Doux Naturel 223.82 Sauterens 28 October 2016 MORTARSTOWN
4505 Vin Doux Naturel 227.76 Sauterens 28 October 2016 MORTARSTOWN
4508 Vin Doux Naturel 227 Sauterens 28 October 2016 MORTARSTOWN

Composition

37% FIRST FILL U.S.
22% VIRGIN U.S.
16% PREMIUM FRENCH
25% VIN DOUX NATUREL