Producer >
The Worlds first Biodynamic Whisky. One of only four organic Whisky’s In Britain and Ireland. ‘The integrity of what Waterford is, is incorruptible’ – Mark Reynier on their whole approach. Unashamedly influenced by the world’s greatest winemakers, they obsessively bring the same intellectual drive, methodology and rigour to barley – the very source of malt whisky’s complex flavour. Extolling a hundred exclusive farms of Irish-grown barley, they search for natural flavours via three paths: their Single Farm Origins pursue the individualism of terroir-derived flavour; they are the building blocks of our Cuvées, where the whole is greater than the sum. Finally their Arcadian Barley expresses the intensity of flavour from exploring the old ways – of Organic, Biodynamic, Heritage and even Irish-peated barley.
Indeed, so thorough is their exploration of the frontiers of natural flavour that they are the world’s largest producer of organic and biodynamic whiskies
Viticulture >
An Bhearú, the “bubbling" River Barrow, which was mentioned by the ancient writer Ptolemy, winds through the limestone lowlands of County Carlow. Ratheadon, Aidhne’s Fort, once home to the Lords of Idrone, stands beyond the river's east bank on rich & loamy soils. Ratheadon stands in the heartlands of the Irish malting barley industry.
The echoes of this old trade can still be seen today – the keen-eyed would note the numerous majestic old malting house buildings that line the river – indeed, were once powered by the river – with the largest malt house standing in Bagenalstown.
This early-sown barley from the superb harvest of 2015 was grown by father and son Stephen & Andrew McDonnell – third and fourth generation growers respectively – upon this unique terroir of a fertile flood plain of the River Barrow. The McDonnell family has farmed here at Ratheadon for some five decades.
Winemaking >
This bottling, Edition 1.2, is again an Irish exclusive release as will be the case for all bottlings from Ratheadon. This time, having learned just how significant the demand was locally, we bottled a significant quantity – 10,000 bottles, in fact.
Amber
50%
Ireland
6
Vinolok
Waterford Whisky
70cl
Fact Sheet
