What happens when one of the worlds’ best bars decides to make one of the world’s best Irish Whiskies?
Well, the answer would be Dead Rabbit Irish Whiskey. And if you guessed that, you’ll probably be excited to hear that the Whiskey is now finally available in Australia.
Gangs Of New York
If you didn’t guess that, then let us tell you a tale of an Irish bar located on a quiet street in New York’s Financial District and the two Irishmen, Sean Muldoon and Jack McGarry, who started it as a homage to the Irish gangs that controlled that part of the city in the mid- to late-1800s.
PIN ITDead Rabbit’s signature Irish Coffee
With an impressive collection of well over 100 Irish whiskies, this is one bar that knows its Whiskey. It’s therefore not surprising that the bar took it upon themselves to partner with world-renowned Irish Whiskey Master Distiller, Darryl McNally, of The Dublin Liberties Distillery, part of Quintessential Brands Group, to create this expression. After all, if you have a house Whiskey, it might as well be your own.
“The Dead Rabbit Grocery & Grog holds the largest collection of Irish whiskey in North America, we’ve been endlessly fascinated by the category,” said The Dead Rabbit co-founders Sean Muldoon and Jack McGarry in a prepared statement. “This whiskey has been patiently waiting for five long years, and we can’t wait to share it with you all.”
While the bar is in New York, the Whiskey is very much a product of Ireland. Yet it doesn’t take long to realise that there are elements of its production that show that it straddles both worlds.
Whiskey of Ireland
The blend of single-malt and grain whiskeys is aged for five years in American ex-bourbon barrels before being finished in specially made half-sized (24 gallons) virgin American oak barrels. The virgin oak imparts dominant vanilla notes as well as a tingly spice that’s unusual for Irish whiskeys, which are known for their smoothness. The ex-bourbon barrels give it a buttery texture and rich caramel flavours.
Other than the oak, barrel spices and dark Vanilla, the Whiskey also has notes of toasted nut and cereal all come through on the nose, but the wood is most prominent. It has just enough sweetness to help smooth the rough edges and a proof that gives a nice bite and makes it perfect for cocktails.
Darryl McNally, Master Distiller, of The Dublin Liberties Distillery, says “I’ve worked in the Irish whiskey industry for over 20 years now and I’m intensely proud of how the industry has grown in that time, but I think there’s still so much more potential.
“I’m really proud of what we’ve created with The Dead Rabbit Irish Whiskey and with it, I’m confident we can help develop the Irish Whiskey category working with Sean and Jack and The Dead Rabbit bar.”
“We’ve been endlessly fascinated by the development of the category and The Dead Rabbit Grocery & Grog holds the largest collection of Irish whiskey in North America. The Dead Rabbit Whiskey has been patiently waiting for five long years, and we can’t wait to share it with you all,” say The Dead Rabbit co-founders, Sean Muldoon and Jack McGarry.
PIN ITThe Lone Oak (Dead Rabbit Irish Whiskey, Green Chartreuse, Pistachio, Fresh Curry Leaf, Lemon & Angostura Bitters) via London Cocktail Week
Two World Collide
The bottle this whiskey is housed in is said to have several distinctive elements, including three seals. The first “is the iconic upside-down dead rabbit. Made famous by the NYC bar, a nod to the infamous New York City-based Irish street gang, and the gang’s leader, John Morrissey, a notorious figure on the streets of New York who would later go on to become a Democratic congressman and senator.
The second seal features the Dublin Liberties Distillery, the home of The Dead Rabbit Whiskey, located in the heart of Dublin. The trinity is completed with the five-year-old seal, guaranteeing the age and maturity of this premium Irish whiskey.
Enzo Visone, Chairman of Quintessential Brands Group, comments; “Premium Irish whiskey is expected to grow at a faster rate which, combined with an increasing interest in premiumisation and brands with compelling stories, create an ideal opportunity for super premium Irish Whiskey – a prospect which The Dead Rabbit Irish Whiskey is set to capitalise on.
“Global consumption of Irish whiskey has increased by more than 10% annually over the last five years, with super premium Irish whiskey growing even faster at 12% and yet the Irish whiskey category still only has a 4% share of the global premium whiskey market currently.
The Dead Rabbit Irish Whiskey will be available through specialist liquor stores.
