Boann Distillery marks Winter Solstice with first ever Double Whiskey release

A pagan story as old as time sits at the heart of Boann Distillery’s Winter Solstice release for 2025 - the first double release in the series and the sixth chapter in what has become an annual tradition for the Meath distillery. The two whiskeys, which will be celebrated at its annual Winter Solstice tasting event this evening (Dec 18th), tell the story of the Oak King and the Holly King of the pagan world - two rivals destined for eternity to duel every Summer and Winter Solstice to decide who reigns.

The Oak King is victorious during the brighter months, ruling from Winter Solstice to Summer Solstice, while the Holly King holds sway over the darker half of the year. 

This sacred duel is repeated every solstice in a never-ending cycle between light and dark, new growth and quiet stillness, and the sun’s warmth and winter’s frost. 

“This is the first time we’ve released two Winter Solstice whiskeys together, and it felt right to let them speak to one another,” said Pat Cooney, founder of Boann Distillery. 

“The Oak King and Holly King represent the turning of the year itself. That sense of rhythm, balance and return sits at the heart of this series.”

Both whiskeys are Single Pot Still Irish whiskeys, bottled at cask strength, natural colour and non-chill filtered - three hallmarks of Boann’s Winter Solstice releases.  They have been matured entirely at the distillery in Meath in sherry casks from Montilla in Spain, each chosen to reflect the character of its ruling season.

The Oak King Amontillado has been fully matured for four years in an Amontillado hogshead, a fortified wine cask known for its warmth and structure. The mashbill comprises 40% malted barley, 55% unmalted barley, 3% oats and 2% rye.

The Oak King - Amontillado (Cask No. 214778, 60.2% ABV)

Soft butter, cream soda, fresh hay and chamomile on the nose. Sweet, expressive palate with caramelised butter, fudge and vanilla, a hint of smoke and toasted wood. Warm, lightly spiced finish with toffee apples and gentle chocolate notes.

The Holly King Oloroso, matured for five years in an Oloroso hogshead, delivers depth, richness and a darker profile. Its mashbill consists of 55% malted barley, 40% unmalted barley and 5% oats.

The Holly King - Oloroso (Cask No. 2217, 62.1% ABV) 

Campfire smoke, leather and dark forest fruits on the nose. Rich palate of caramel, toffee and strawberry jam with earthy tannins and savoury depth. Long, smoky finish with spice and gingerbread warmth.

Adding another layer of meaning, the back labels of each bottle feature Ogham script translating to Rí Darrach (Oak King) and Rí Cuilinn (Holly King), anchoring the release in Irish language and mythology. Each whiskey retails at €120, or they can be purchased together as a paired release for €210, exclusively from boanndistillery.ie

In a first for the series, guests will also have the opportunity to taste Amontillado fortified wine directly from cask alongside the whiskeys, offering a rare insight into the cask’s influence on the final spirit. This year’s Winter Solstice release also coincides with the upcoming public consultation in January on proposed changes to the Irish whiskey Geographical Indication, which may allow greater mashbill diversity within the Single Pot Still category - a move that would align modern regulations more closely with historic Irish whiskey practice.

Slán go fóill.