Description
Won Best Small Batch Irish Single Malt at the World Whiskies Awards!Makers of the Worlds Best Irish Single Malt for three years running put their spin on the iconic retro classic: the cigar malt.
Big, chewy, and matured in overaged PX & Palo Cortado Sherry casks, this limited edition from Dunvilles uses the very casks that scored themWorlds Best Irish Single Maltthree years running.
To let you in on a little secret behind the trophies this whiskey is dripping with cask richness from one part 18YO, one part 14YO, and two parts 13YO.
Channelling the likes of GlenDronach Single Casks, Dalmores 1990s-era cigar malt and Redbreasts richest casks, the only reason this heritage label from Northern Ireland isnt behind the bar of every Irish pub already is because these folks make hardly any whiskey. At least, thats the case for now.
Shane Braniff, proud custodian of Dunvilles Irish whiskey, has big plans for the distillery: When we revived Dunvilles, we did so with a promise to restore the spirit of Belfast to its rightful place among the premier whiskeys of the world.
ABV:46.1%
Maturation: Palo Cortado, Pedro Ximnez, and ex-Bourbon casks
Colour: Mahogany
Nose: A lovely rich nose of custard, blackberry, bread and butter pudding, dark-roasted coffee bean, and allspice
Palate: Generous and sweetly spiced, finishing with complex hints of vanilla, and salted toffee
Food Match: Honey-roasted cashews bring out the spice and complexity, particularly of the 18-year-old portion of this deep, velvety whiskey
Dunville’s History
Born in 1808, buried in 1936, and gloriously resurrected in 2012 Dunvilles Irish Whiskey is the ultimate comeback story. This isnt just another whiskey; its a legacy reborn, a Belfast icon returned to its rightful place among the worlds best.
For over a century, Dunvilles was the toast of Ireland, a household name, a whiskey of kings. At least until tragedy struck, and the dynasty crumbled. For nearly 80 years, the only way to get your hands on a bottle was at auction, and even that was like striking gold.
But legends dont stay buried forever. Enter The Echlinville Distillery, Dunvilles new custodians, hell-bent on restoring The Spirit of Belfast. Mission accomplished. Today, Dunvilles is once again winning awards and turning heads, proving that its best days arent behind it theyre just getting started.
Picture this: 1808, a fresh announcement in the Belfast Commercial Chronicle William Napier and John Dunvill are setting up a wine and spirits shop at No. 13 Bank Street, known as Napier and Dunvill. The name became synonymous with top-tier Irish whiskey and in 1825 Dunvill bought Napier out, and changed the business name to Dunville & Co.
Having passed through chairmanship of five generations of the Dunville family by the late 1800s, Dunville & Co. wasnt just thriving, it was dominating. At its peak, their Royal Irish Distilleries pumped out around 11.5 million litres of liquid gold annually, a sizeable chunk of all of Ireland’s distilleries combined total of 63.5 million litres per year. Boasting a cutting-edge setup with four massive malting floors, 16 washbacks, five huge pot stills, a Coffey still and its own railway siding. It wasnt just a distillery; it was a whiskey empire.
Dunvilles didnt just make whiskey; they shaped a city. Their philanthropy built much-needed housing, founded the Distillery Football Club in 1880, and even donated land and serious cash to create Dunville Park home to the iconic Dunville Fountain, which still stands today.
Then came 1931. The fifth chairman, Robert Lambart Dunville, died suddenly at just 38. His brother, Victoria Cross recipient Lt. John Spencer Dunville had already given his life in the Great War, and the only remaining heir, William, was in Australia. With no one left to take the helm, the company spiraled. By 1936, distilling had stopped, the business was liquidated, and before long the once-mighty Royal Irish Distilleries were reduced to rubble. The Spirit of Belfast was gone.
Fast forward nearly eight decades. Enter The Echlinville Distillery. Pioneers, risk-takers, and whiskey lovers on a mission. As Irelands first new licensed distillery in over 125 years, they did so in style, bringing the Dunvilles name back to life.
Today, Dunvilles award-winning single malts are once again setting the gold standard for Irish whiskey, winning the coveted Whiskey of the Year title at the Irish Whiskey Awards when the 21 year old Palo Cortado Sherry Cask Finish Whiskey was named Irelands best whiskey.
The Spirit of Belfast has returned. And this time, its here to stay.
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