A brand new distillery is being built in Kinsale.

And if early exports of Red Earl premium Irish Whiskey are anything to go by, Cork’s Kinsale Spirit Company are going to be needing the capacity to fulfil orders coming in from all over the world.

The brand, co-founded by Ernest Cantillon, Colin Ross, and Tom O’Riordan – all current or ex-publicans, unveiled the first bottle in the Battle of Kinsale collection this week, complete with a custom illustration created by Irish artist Katelyn McKenna.

“Following the fight for freedom from the Crown at The Battle of Kinsale, 1601, seeking aid from allies in Spain, Red Hugh O’Donnell, Earl of Tyrconnell, was murdered by an Anglo-Irish double agent and buried near Rioja,” says Ernest Cantillon.

“Red Earl Irish Whiskey, a tribute to his story, is first aged in bourbon, then sherry, and finally matured in Rioja casks.”

Other drinks in their portfolio include the popular small-batch, premium Kinsale Gin. The company is currently building a new distillery in Kinsale, due to open in 2021.

“We were nervous about launching a new product during such an uncertain period, but to be honest it has hit the ground running. Local support has been phenomenal, and we have our first export order, several thousand bottles, heading to China next week,” added Ernest.

So what does it taste like?

Connoisseurs take note; Red Earl displays “vibrant fruity notes on both the nose and palate”. Aroma wise, expect subtle hints of cherry, strawberry, rose petal, and citrus, layered on top of marzipan, almond and oak notes and satisfying blends of caramel, vanilla and toasted almonds, complemented by delightful notes of cinnamon and clove, typical of spicy riojas.

Red Earl Whiskey is available to purchase at Bradleys, North Main Street, Cork, 1601 in Kinsale and via kinsalespirit.com.