W.D. O’Connell, the Independent Bottlers behind the incredibly popular Bill Phil Peated Irish whiskey, are releasing two new cask strength whiskeys, which saw their first light of day in the Belfast Whiskey Week ‘Exclusive whiskeys tasting’.
The first of the two new releases is the Bill Phil Cask Strength Edition which is a triple distilled peated single malt Irish whiskey, bottled at 59.6% ABV. This cask strength expression has been exclusively matured in first-fill bourbon barrels for the entrity of its aging.
The second whiskey to be released is an older sibling of the 17 year old PX cask whiskey released by W.D. O’Connell, last year. This year’s 18 year old, Pedro Ximenez, cask single malt is double distilled and bottled at 58.16% ABV. Distilled in May 2002, at Cooley Distillery, this whiskey was matured in 1st fill Bourbon barrels for 17 years and finished Pedro Ximénez Sherry casks for 13 months.
Both of these whiskeys are limited releases, with the Bill Phil being limited to 350 500mL bottles, while the 18 Year Old PX Cask has been released with slightly more bottles, in a 370 bottle release, also in 500mL format.
The name Bill Phil is inspired by the founder’s Great Grandfather, William Phillip O’Connell. A prominent blacksmith in West Limerick, William was famous for making a great slean (a tool for footing or cutting turf) and known locally as Bill Phil. When it came to naming peated Irish whiskey, it was almost inevitable that it too would take the name of Bill Phil in his honour.
These two ‘single cask’ offerings bottled at natural cask strength are the 4th & 5th releases from W.D O’Connell. Founder, Daithí O’Connell is building his portfolio of releases, establishing a strong name for his independent bottling company, with a mission to bring more variety to the Irish whiskey market by acquiring a diverse collection of spirit and cask combinations.
Bill Phil, Single Cask, Cask Strength, Cask Number 19099. This 350 bottle release is available through Celtic Whiskey Shop, Number 21 Off Licences, Bradleys, 1601 Kinsale, Carry Out Killarney, James Foxes & online from Irish Malts from Monday, August 24th at an RRP of €70.00.
This single malt whiskey was aged exclusively in first-fill ex-bourbon casks. It is distinctly peated, there are aromas of fresh charcoal and citrus fruits revealing a palate with a rich, creamy texture. The smoke, oak and spice intermingle beautifully exposing rich biscuit malt, poached pears and banana notes with sweet smoke and orchard fruits on the lengthening finish. This is the first release of cask strength whiskey from our Bill Phil range – showcasing the continued progression of our peated single malt whiskeys.
PX18, Single Cask, Cask Strength, Cask Number 144105. 370 bottle limited release is available through Celtic Whiskey Shop, Number 21 Off Licences, Bradleys, 1601 Kinsale, Carry Out Killarney, James Foxes & online from Irish Malts from Monday, August 24th at an RRP of €140.00
This 18-year old single malt whiskey was distilled at Cooley Distillery and initially matured in 1st fill bourbon barrels. We then created a small batch, recasked and aged it for a further 13 months in PX sherry casks. The result is a rich, full-bodied single malt with a cocoa nose, luxuriously thick and creamy with white pepper spices, raisins, toasted oak and of course that lip-smacking sweetness. The result is our first cask-strength whiskey from the PX range – showcasing the continued progression of our limited series of Pedro Ximénez influenced single malt whiskeys.
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