Bourbon Lens Thoughts:
Did you miss this news that the Red Silkie just re-released? The good news is that the week of St. Patrick’s Day, you’ll be able to find a bottle to bolster your Irish Whiskey collection! If you want to know more about Sliabh Liag, check out our podcast here!
Full Press Release For Red Silkie Irish Whiskey
COUNTRY DONEGAL, IRELAND, March 2, 2023 – With the re-release of Red Silkie Irish Whiskey (46% ABV; 750ml; $54.99 SRP), Sliabh Liag Distillers commemorates a central figure in Donegal history – Red Hugh O’Donnell, the county’s last chieftain. With just 5,300 bottles available, this limited release is the first in the Legendary Silkie Irish Whiskey Cask Collection.
First released in 2020 and back due to popular demand, Red Silkie commemorates the last journey of Red Hugh, who following defeat to the English at the battle of Kinsale sailed for Spain to seek the help of King Philip of Spain to raise an army to liberate Ireland. He met King Philip in Rioja and subsequently made his way to stay with the monks at Simancas. However, he took ill there and died and never made it back to Ireland.
To mark this history journey, Red Silkie features the Legendary Silkie blend aged in Rioja casks (for the meeting with King Philip) and Ribera del Duero casks, which are from the Simancas area where the monks looked after Red Hugh. After six months, the casks are disgorged and vatted together. The Legendary Silkie Irish Whiskey character still shines and the softness of the blend allows it to pick up a raspberry and red berry character from the Rioja casks and an altogether spicier, dryer sandalwood and tannin from the Ribera casks.
“The Red Silkie was our first foray into telling a Donegal story through a Silkie Cask Finish and due
to its popular demand we have repeated it,” says brand founder James Doherty. “We celebrate an aspect of Donegal in all our finishes and here Red Hugh’s fateful journey brings together some great wine regions within Spain that allow us to showcase the Legendary Silkie’s richness and extend the flavours with the red berry and spice notes from the wine cask. I have no doubt we will be asked to do it again!”
Sliabh Liag Distillers’ spirits are imported to the U.S. by Ramona, CA-based Preiss Imports. For more
information on Sliabh Liag Distillers, visit www.sliabhliagdistillers.com.
ABOUT SLIABH LIAG DISTILLERS
Sliabh Liag (pronounced ‘sleeve league’) Distillers is independently owned and committed to reclaiming the distilling heritage of Donegal. They have built the Ardara Distillery and their portfolio includes premium spirit brands An Dúlamán Irish Maritime Gin, An Dúlamán Santa Ana Navy Strength Gin, The Legendary Silkie Irish Whiskey, Dark Silkie Irish Whiskey, Midnight Silkie Irish Whiskey and Assaranca Vodka. The Company has distribution in 40 countries around the world.
