Glendalough Double Barrel
March 15, 2025
TL;DR: Single Grain whiskey doesn’t get enough love—Glendalough Double Barrel changes that with a smooth, easy-drinking profile and the added depth of bourbon and sherry cask maturation.
Single Grain Irish Whiskey isn’t as common as blends or pot still expressions, but Glendalough Double Barrel stands out as a rare and accessible example of the style. Made primarily from corn and distilled in a continuous still, it’s lighter and smoother than traditional Irish pot still whiskeys. What sets it apart is its dual maturation—first in ex-bourbon casks for vanilla sweetness, then finished in oloroso sherry casks for subtle spice and fruit complexity. The result is a whiskey that’s easy to sip yet carries an extra layer of character. Whether you’re new to whiskey or just looking for something different from the usual suspects, Glendalough Double Barrel is an inviting, well-crafted choice.
Flavor Camp Taste Profile
Overall Review
- Overall Assessment: 79/100
- Distinctiveness: 7/10
- Bottle Appeal: N/A (new bottle design coming soon!)
- Value for Price: 7.5/10
- Crushable / Daily Drinker
- Cocktail Worthy
- Special Occasion Sipper
- Weird & Wonderful
- Skip It
Tasting Notes
- Appearance: Golden Straw
- Aroma: Bright and citrusy, with notes of lemon, vanilla, white pepper, and ginger. It's fragrant but fairly straight forward (which isn't necessarily a bad thing).
- Taste & Mouthfeel: Approachable and smooth, with creamy vanilla, buttery croissant, white pepper, and a light, almost ethereal quality. Subtle oak spices provide structure.
- Finish: Short, with a delicate touch of salinity.
- Distinctiveness: Glendalough Double Barrel stands out as one of the few widely available Single Grain Irish Whiskeys, offering a smoother, lighter profile than traditional pot still or malt whiskeys. While its bourbon and sherry cask maturation adds extra depth, it still carries the easy-drinking character often associated with grain whiskey.
- Overall Drinkability & Balance: In many ways, it shares some similarities with blended Canadian whisky—soft, slightly sweet, and mellow, with a touch of spice to keep things interesting. It’s an approachable yet subtly complex pour, making it a unique alternative to both classic Irish blends and heavier pot still whiskeys. This would be a great base for highballs (think soda, ginger ale or cola).
Product Details
- Distiller: Glendalough Distillery
- Type: Single Grain (Irish Whiskey)
- Age: No Age Statement (minimum 3 years)
- Still Type: Column Still
- Cask Type(s): Ex-Bourbon and Sherry Casks
- Origin: Wicklow, Ireland
- Composition: Mostly Corn; some Malted Barley
- ABV: 42%
- # of Distillations: N/A
- Price: $40-47ish CAD (2025)
Comments / Notes:
Three things to remember about this whiskey:
1. St. Kevin – the figure depicted on Glendalough whiskey labels, is a key part of the brand’s identity and a nod to the deep history of the Glendalough Valley in County Wicklow, Ireland. A 6th-century monk and hermit, St. Kevin is best known for founding Glendalough Monastery, one of Ireland’s most famous early Christian settlements.
The image on the bottle shows him standing in Glendalough’s wilderness with outstretched arms, symbolizing his legendary connection to nature and solitude. One of the most famous stories about him tells of a blackbird nesting in his open palm while he was deep in prayer—rather than disturb it, he remained still until the chicks had hatched and flown.
2. Single Grain Irish Whiskey – one of the few accessible single grain Irish whiskeys on the market, this expression is lighter in style due to the use of corn as the predominant grain and column distillation.
3. New Packaging Coming Soon – Look out for updated bottles rolling out in Canada (that is in dark green), but don’t worry—the same mellow, easy-drinking whiskey remains inside.
Food Pairing Recommendations: Bbq Pork Buns
Cocktail Recommendations: Double Barrel Buck
