Concannon Irish Whiskey 750ML

Concannon Irish Whiskey 750ML is a double-distilled Irish blend bottled at 40% ABV (80 proof) and finished in Petite Sirah wine barrels from Concannon Vineyard. Named "Best New Irish Whiskey" at the 2012 New York International Spirits Competition, this expression stands apart from mainstream Irish whiskeys through its distinctive wine-cask finishing step — what the brand calls "The Concannon Effect."

Quick Facts: ABV: 40% (80 Proof)  |  Origin: County Louth, Ireland  |  Minimum 4 Years Old  |  Distillery: Cooley Distillery

Production & Heritage

Concannon Irish Whiskey is produced at the Cooley Distillery on the Cooley Peninsula in County Louth, Ireland. Founded in 1987 by John Teeling, Cooley became one of only a handful of independent Irish distilleries and was later acquired by Beam (now Beam Suntory) in 2011. The whiskey is a blend of malted barley and corn, double distilled in the Irish tradition, then aged a minimum of four years in ex-bourbon barrels. What separates this expression from the rest of the Cooley stable is a final finishing period of at least four months in Petite Sirah wine barrels shipped directly from Concannon Vineyard in Livermore Valley, California — one of America's oldest wineries, established in 1883. This finishing step imparts a subtle fruitiness and depth that conventional Irish blends simply don't carry.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with vanilla and honey before giving way to fresh apple and toasted malt. There is a gentle warmth beneath the sweetness that hints at the oak and wine-barrel influence.

Taste: On entry, honey sweetness dominates and quickly transitions into citrus and malt at mid-palate. As it develops, notes of earthy spice and oak emerge alongside a light smokiness and touches of lemon zest. The body is light and silky, leaning toward a thinner mouthfeel that keeps the flavor nimble rather than heavy.

Finish: The finish is relatively light in character, with a slow-building warmth that settles at the back of the throat. Lingering oak and a faint sweetness round out the experience without overstaying.

How to Drink Concannon

Neat or over a single large ice cube is the most direct way to appreciate the wine-barrel influence — the Petite Sirah finishing reveals itself more clearly as the whiskey opens up slightly. That said, the light body and citrus-forward profile make Concannon a versatile cocktail ingredient.

• Irish Coffee: The honey sweetness and vanilla notes integrate naturally with coffee and cream without overwhelming them.
• Whiskey Sour: The built-in citrus character complements fresh lemon juice, reducing the need for excess sweetener.
• New York Sour: A red wine float over a whiskey sour mirrors the Petite Sirah finish and creates a layered, wine-meets-whiskey harmony.

Best For

• Wine enthusiasts curious about whiskey's crossover with wine-barrel aging
• Exploring Irish whiskey beyond the standard Jameson or Bushmills lineup
• A cocktail-forward home bar that benefits from fruit-forward Irish blends
• Introducing someone to Irish whiskey with an approachable, lighter-bodied dram

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Concannon Irish Whiskey taste like? Concannon leads with honey and vanilla sweetness, then moves into citrus, toasted malt, and light oak spice. A subtle fruitiness from the Petite Sirah wine-barrel finish distinguishes it from other Irish blends.

How does Concannon compare to Jameson Irish Whiskey? Both are accessible, 40% ABV Irish blends at a similar price tier, but Concannon uses a wine-barrel finish that adds a fruity dimension Jameson's pot-still and sherry-cask profile does not have. Jameson tends toward a creamier, slightly heavier mouthfeel, while Concannon is lighter and more citrus-driven.

Is Concannon good for sipping neat? Yes — the light body and balanced sweetness make it an easy neat pour, especially for those newer to whiskey. Adding a splash of water or a single ice cube helps open up the wine-cask influence.

Where is Concannon Irish Whiskey made? Concannon is distilled and aged at the Cooley Distillery on the Cooley Peninsula in County Louth, Ireland. The finishing barrels come from Concannon Vineyard in Livermore Valley, California.

What foods pair well with Concannon Irish Whiskey? Smoked salmon works well against the honey and citrus notes. Aged cheddar or Gruyère complements the oak and malt backbone. Dark chocolate highlights the subtle fruit from the wine-barrel finish. Roast pork with an apple glaze mirrors the apple and vanilla aromatics. Lemon tart echoes the citrus and light sweetness on the palate.

What sizes does Concannon come in? Concannon Irish Whiskey is widely available in the standard 750ML bottle.

Is Concannon worth the price? Concannon positions as an entry-level to mid-range Irish whiskey, and the Petite Sirah barrel finish gives it a production story and flavor dimension that most blends at this tier lack. For drinkers seeking something more distinctive than a standard blend without a significant price jump, it delivers genuine added value.

Why Concannon?

The wine-barrel finishing process is the clear differentiator here. While other Irish blends rely on standard ex-bourbon or sherry cask maturation, Concannon takes a minimum four-year-old whiskey and adds at least four months in Petite Sirah barrels — a grape varietal strongly associated with California's Livermore Valley. The result is a tangible fruit-forward layer that sits comfortably alongside classic Irish malt and honey character. For anyone who has worked through the usual Irish whiskey lineup and wants something genuinely different within the same price range, Concannon's connection to American winemaking tradition gives it a unique identity that few competitors in the category can match.