Drumshanbo Single Malt Irish Whiskey
Drumshanbo · The Shed Distillery
The Shed Distillery's single malt represents a turning point for Ireland's craft distilling frontier—a small-batch whiskey from the rural heartlands of County Leitrim that punches well above its modest price. It's a deftly balanced dram that rewards both contemplation and casual sipping, marking the moment when Ireland's new wave distilleries proved they could stand shoulder to shoulder with established names.
Nose
Opens with honeyed barley and orchard fruit—baked apple, ripe pear—layered over a thread of toasted oak. Gentle floral notes emerge alongside a whiff of heather and lemon zest. A faint wisp of warm baking spices lingers beneath the fruit.
Palate
Silky and medium-bodied, with a wave of caramel and vanilla sweetness giving way to green apple and subtle malt. Clove and white pepper build gently through the mid-palate, balanced by a buttery cereal richness. A touch of citrus peel provides brightness and counterpoint.
Finish
Medium-length and warming, with lingering honey, toasted grain, and a whisper of dried herbs. The oak influence stays restrained and elegant throughout.
- Mash Bill
- 100% malted Irish barley
- Distillation
- Triple distilled in copper pot stills at The Shed Distillery, Drumshanbo
- Maturation
- Matured in a combination of first-fill bourbon barrels and Oloroso sherry casks
- Chill-Filtered
- Non-chill filtered
Cocktail Suggestion
The Leitrim Turn — 2 oz Drumshanbo Single Malt Irish Whiskey · ¾ oz honey syrup (2:1) · ½ oz fresh lemon juice · 2 dashes Angostura bitters · Shake with ice, strain into a coupe, garnish with a lemon twist and fresh thyme sprig
Food Pairing
Pan-seared duck breast, skin rendered to a crisp, served alongside a warm spiced apple chutney and roasted root vegetables. The whiskey's honeyed malt and orchard fruit notes mirror the apple chutney, while its gentle spice complements the richness of the duck and the earthy sweetness of caramelized parsnips.
Born from PJ Rigney's audacious decision to build a distillery in tiny Drumshanbo—a village of fewer than 700 souls—this single malt embodies the hinge moment when Ireland's whiskey revival reached beyond Dublin and Cork into the wild, green edges of the map.
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