Deep within the scenic Carlow countryside, sits the 18th century home of the Walsh Whiskey. The family owned and operated company was founded by Bernard and Rosemary Walsh, previous owners of a ski chalet in France, in search of the perfect Irish whiskey with which to spike their famous coffee. Eventually, their search led them to the founding of their whiskey brand Irishman in 1999. Set out to rediscover Irish-style Whiskey as it was made 200 years ago, they initially contracted their distilling to Bushmills. After becoming successful they were eventually able to build their own distillery. The Walsh Whiskey ceremoniously opened in June of 2016, in the heart of Southern Irish farm country where they produce four versions of The Irishman, three Writer's Tears, and two varieties of Irish Cream Liqueur. The picturesque Walsh Whiskey marks the return of Whiskey distilling to County Carlow for the first time in over 200 years. With its three specially crafted imported pot stills built in the legendary Scottish Forsyths and two, forty plate column stills. They are the only independent Irish Whiskey distillery to produce the three styles of Irish Whiskey pot still, malt, and grain under one roof, in one still room. Walsh Whiskey has the capacity to produce 650,000 cases of Whiskey per annum. The Irishman 12-year-old single malt was released in 2013, and was a great success. It is a limited edition, with only 6,000 being made every year. The whiskey is triple distilled and aged in first fill, flame charred bourbon barrels. The Whiskeys that go into the Irishman 12YO are independently sourced, casks hand selected from a Northern Irish distillery. Bottled at 43% ABV this classic single malt has notes of vanilla, cinnamon, and clove on the nose, with a peppery, fruit filled midsection, and a malted oak finish. It was a Gold winner and Best in Class at the International Spirits Challenge 2013.