Glendalough Double Barrel Irish Single Grain 750ML

Glendalough Double Barrel Irish Single Grain 750ML is a Coffey-still Irish single grain whiskey bottled at 42% ABV (84 proof) in a 750ml bottle. A Double Gold winner at the 2022 Irish Whiskey Masters and the 2021 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, this expression stands out as one of the few widely available Irish single grain whiskeys, distinguished by its Oloroso sherry cask finish sourced from Montilla, Spain.

Quick Facts: ABV: 42%  |  Origin: County Wicklow, Ireland  |  No Age Statement  |  Distillery: Glendalough Distillery

Production & Heritage

Glendalough Distillery operates in County Wicklow, drawing on the rugged landscape of Ireland's Garden County as a source of identity and inspiration. The Double Barrel is distilled from a mash bill of malted barley and corn using Coffey stills — continuous column stills that produce a lighter, creamier spirit than traditional pot stills. The relatively small scale of Glendalough's stills retains more weight and oiliness in the distillate compared to the giant multi-column operations typical of most grain whisky production. Maturation begins in flame-charred ex-bourbon American oak barrels before a finishing period in Oloroso sherry casks hand-selected from a specific bodega in Montilla, a small town in Spain's Andalusian countryside. The distillery team personally selects the bodega, the liquid, and the cooper to deliver what they describe as a terroir-driven character from that region.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Dark fruit leads — cherry, raisin, and fig — layered with something almost Christmas-cake rich. Behind that sits a lighter floral quality and a thread of lemongrass that keeps the nose from turning heavy.

Taste: The entry is sweet and creamy, with butterscotch and honey rolling across the front palate alongside a peppery bite. The mid-palate deepens into dried fruit territory: maraschino cherries, dates, sticky figs, and a pinch of brown sugar. Cashew and almond add nutty richness, while toffee and vanilla round out the body. The Coffey still's inherent creaminess is evident throughout, giving the whiskey a slightly oily, almost rummy texture at its center.

Finish: Medium in length with drifting ginger spice and sweet vanilla that gently fade. A faint shaving of almond lingers alongside a buttery quality that keeps the finish warm without turning sharp.

How to Drink Glendalough Double Barrel

Neat is the most revealing serve — the sherry cask influence unfolds gradually and rewards patience. A few drops of water open up the floral and citrus notes without diluting the creamy core. For cocktails, this whiskey's sweetness and grain-forward character make it highly versatile. An Old Fashioned benefits from the existing butterscotch and dried fruit, requiring minimal sweetener. A Whiskey Sour plays well off the natural tartness of the fig and cherry notes, creating a balanced drink with less syrup. A Gold Rush (whiskey, honey syrup, lemon) pairs naturally with the honey-forward palate and almond finish.

Best For

• Introducing someone to the Irish single grain category, which remains underexplored
• Gifting a whiskey enthusiast curious about sherry cask-finished expressions
• Building a home bar with versatile cocktail whiskeys that also stand up neat
• Side-by-side tastings comparing grain whiskey against single malt or single pot still Irish styles

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Glendalough Double Barrel taste like? It presents a sweet, creamy palate led by butterscotch, dried figs, maraschino cherries, and honey, with a nutty almond and vanilla undertone from the Oloroso cask finish. The overall impression is rich and slightly oily, with moderate spice on the finish.

How does Glendalough Double Barrel compare to Teeling Single Grain? Both are Coffey-still Irish single grain whiskeys, but Glendalough finishes in Oloroso sherry casks from Montilla, Spain, while Teeling Single Grain is finished in Californian Cabernet Sauvignon wine casks. Glendalough tends toward dried fruit and butterscotch richness, whereas Teeling leans into red berry and tannic wine barrel influence.

Is Glendalough Double Barrel good for sipping neat? Yes — the creamy body, moderate 42% ABV, and layered dried fruit profile make it well-suited for neat drinking. A few drops of water can further open up its floral aromatics.

Where is Glendalough Double Barrel made? It is produced at Glendalough Distillery in County Wicklow, Ireland, a region often called the Garden of Ireland for its valleys and natural landscapes. The Oloroso finishing casks are sourced from Montilla in Andalusia, Spain.

What foods pair well with Glendalough Double Barrel? Aged cheddar or Gruyère works well against the butterscotch sweetness. Dark chocolate truffles echo the dried fruit richness. Spiced pear tart mirrors the ginger and baking spice on the finish. Charcuterie with fig jam complements the sherry cask influence. Roasted almonds or cashews reinforce the nutty undercurrent in the whiskey.

What sizes does Glendalough Double Barrel come in? The standard widely available size is the 750ml bottle.

Is Glendalough Double Barrel worth the price? It positions as an accessible, mid-range Irish whiskey that punches above its price tier, especially given its multiple gold and double gold awards at international competitions. For those exploring single grain Irish whiskey — a category with limited options — it represents strong value.

Why Glendalough Double Barrel?

Irish single grain whiskey remains one of the least explored corners of the whiskey world, and Glendalough's Double Barrel is one of the most decorated expressions in the category — earning Double Gold at both the 2022 Irish Whiskey Masters and the 2021 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, along with additional golds at the 2024 New York International Spirits Competition and the 2024 Irish Whiskey Masters. The Oloroso cask finish from a hand-selected Montilla bodega gives it a dried fruit depth that few grain whiskeys achieve. The smaller Coffey stills at Glendalough produce a heavier, oilier distillate than most grain whisky operations, which typically run massive industrial columns designed for efficiency over character. The result is a whiskey that challenges the perception of single grain as a light, neutral spirit — delivering texture, complexity, and genuine sherry cask influence at an approachable proof.