🥃 Connemara
Connemara is a peated Irish single malt whiskey brand made at the Cooley distillery in County Louth. Launched in 1996, distilled twice, 40% ABV (80 proof); owned by Suntory Global Spirits.
If you think Irish whiskey is always smooth and unsmoky, Connemara is the exception: an Irish single malt with a peaty, smoky character. It is made at the Cooley distillery on the Cooley peninsula in County Louth. The brand was launched in 1996, the whisky is distilled twice, the base version is 40% ABV, and the owner is Suntory Global Spirits, formerly Beam Suntory.
History. Entrepreneur John Teeling founded the Cooley distillery: in 1985 he bought a state potato spirit plant, and in 1987 he opened a whiskey distillery on the site. For many years it was the only independent distillery in Ireland, and it challenged industry habits such as triple distillation and unpeated malt. In early 2012 Beam bought Cooley, according to Difford's Guide; Beam later became part of Japan's Suntory.
How it is made. According to Difford's Guide, the barley malt is dried over peat fires, so the smoke soaks into the grain. The whisky is distilled twice in copper pot stills, as in Scotland, rather than three times as is usual in Ireland. Difford's describes an aging period of at least 8 years, although the base version's label does not state an age.
Range. Besides the base Peated Single Malt, there have been age-stated versions and special releases. Strength and age differ between them, so check the label.
Why it matters to you. Peated Irish whiskey is rare: most Irish brands are unpeated and triple distilled. Connemara is closer in style to Islay whisky, but under the Irish Whiskey geographical indication it is distilled and matured for at least 3 years on the island of Ireland, with strength from 40% ABV. The WHO reminds us that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption.
Facts
| Year founded | brand launched 1996; Cooley distillery 1987 (John Teeling) |
|---|---|
| Legal basis | Irish Whiskey geographical indication (technical file; Reg. (EU) 2019/787) |
| EU category | 2 - whisky/whiskey |
| Raw material | barley malt dried over peat fire; water |
| Distillation method | twice, in copper pot stills; Cooley, Riverstown (Louth) |
| Minimum maturation | at least 3 years under GI rules; Difford's mentions at least 8 years, no age on the label |
| Alcohol (% vol.) | 40% ABV (base version) |
How it connects to Spirits
🥃 Connemara → kind of → 🥃 Whisky → kind of → 🥃 Spirits
Links
- Previous step
- 🥃 Suntory Global Spirits
- Packed in
- 🍷 Oak barrel
- Made from
- 🥃 Barley and malt in whisky
- What it contains
- 🧪 Water, 🍷 Ethanol
- What it affects
- 🍷 Alcohol and health, 🍷 Drunk driving
- Part of
- 🥃 Whisky, 🥃 Irish Whiskey
- Related to
- 🌍 Western Europe
- Similar and different
- 🥃 Peated whisky, 🥃 Islay whisky, 🥃 Laphroaig, 🥃 Jameson, 🥃 Bushmills
Frequently asked questions
Is Connemara Scotch because it tastes smoky like Islay?
No. It is Irish: under the Irish Whiskey geographical indication it is distilled and matured for at least 3 years on the island of Ireland. The peaty style is closer to Islay, but the origin is Ireland.
How do I read ABV and proof on a Connemara label?
American labels give ABV and proof together, so the base version at 40% ABV shows as 80 proof. Irish and UK labels give % vol., and other versions may be stronger, so check the version you pick.
Why is peated Irish whiskey rare?
Most brands from the island are unpeated and triple distilled. Connemara is the exception: its malt is dried over peat and it is distilled twice.
Who owns Connemara?
Suntory Global Spirits, formerly Beam Suntory. Beam bought the distillery in early 2012.
Which other brands come from the same distillery?
Kilbeggan, Tyrconnell and Greenore are made there too, on the Cooley peninsula.
What to read next
- 🍷 Alcohol and health — Alcohol in any drink is harmful in large amounts, and the risks grow with the quantity.
- 🍷 Ethanol — The alcohol formed during fermentation that makes you drunk.
- 🍷 Oak barrel — A wooden vessel made of oak staves in which wine matures, picks up new aromas and slowly takes in air.
- 🧪 Water — ~87% of milk.
- 🌍 Western Europe — France, the Netherlands, Britain, Ireland, Belgium and Luxembourg: a mild, moist climate, pastures and hundreds of cheeses such as Roquefort, Camembert, Gouda and Cheddar.
Similar
🥃 Cooley · 🥃 Midleton Very Rare · 🥃 Paddy · 🥃 Glengyle · 🥃 Knockdhu · 🥃 Abhainn Dearg
⚠️ Spirit drinks contain alcohol and are for adults only. Alcohol harms health. Do not drink during pregnancy or before driving; check the label for ingredients and possible allergens.
What it includes
Sources
- Difford's Guide: Connemara Single Malt Irish Whiskey (launched 1996, Cooley Distillery, malt dried over peat fires, double distilled, 40 %, Suntory Global Spirits)
- Difford's Guide: Teeling Whiskey Company, History (John Teeling bought the Cooley potato distillery in 1985, Cooley Whiskey Distillery 1987, sale to Beam early 2012, USD 95 m)
- Cellar Tours: Cooley Distillery guide (Riverstown, Cooley peninsula; former potato spirit plant; double distillation; Connemara peated)
- Revenue (Ireland): Geographical Indication for Irish Whiskey and Irish Poteen/Poitin (GI verification, Tax and Duty Manual)
- WHO/Europe: No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health (04.01.2023)