Boann’s Historic Mash Bill Whiskey Selected for The Whisky Show 2025 Exclusive Bottlings
- Danny Joyce | Editor
- Oct 2
- 3 min read
Irish whiskey producer Boann Distillery has achieved a major milestone in international recognition, with one of its whiskeys selected as one of only seven single cask releases specially bottled by The Whisky Exchange for this year’s Whisky Show, London (October 3rd–5th).
Boann 2021 Single Oloroso Hogshead was handpicked by world-renowned whisky writer Dave Broom, marking the first time in the show’s history that a cask has been selected by someone outside The Whisky Exchange’s buying team.
Only 318 bottles have been produced, priced at £110, and available exclusively at the prestigious festival. Each bottle is signed by Dave Broom, Irish whiskey historian Dr Fionnán O’Connor, and head buyer at The Whisky Exchange, Dawn Davies.
Taking place at Old Billingsgate, London, The Whisky Show is the UK’s biggest whiskey festival, uniting distillers and whisky lovers from around the world for an immersive celebration of craftsmanship, culture, and taste.
Each year, the it curates a highly limited collection of rare single cask releases from around the globe. Joining Boann this year are whiskies from Scotland, Japan and Korea - showcasing the diversity and innovation of world whiskey.
"This is a huge moment not only for Boann Distillery but for Single Pot Still whiskey, Irish whiskey, and the revival of lost mash bills,” said Peter Cooney, co-founder, Boann Distillery who said this limited release is part of Boann’s ambitious programme, developed with Dr Fionnán O’Connor, to revive vintage mash bills that defined Irish whiskey in the 19th century.
“Whiskey like this hasn’t been seen in the UK since the 1800s. It brings to life the hallmark style of 19th-century Irish pot still, with mash bills that appear in the 1831 Excise Reports, Morewood’s 1838 survey, and Nettleton’s late Victorian writings. It’s a tribute to the rich, creamy spirits that were once standard across Ireland.”
“To have it recognised by The Whisky Exchange and chosen by someone of Dave Broom’s stature is an endorsement of the innovation, research and craftsmanship that goes into every drop at Boann.”
Reviving Lost Irish Whiskey Traditions
The vintage mash bill series is based on archival records of mash bills from 1800–1900, when Irish whiskey was at its global peak. This particular mash bill - dating back to at least 1892 - combines 30% malted barley, 40% unmalted barley and 30% oats, triple-distilled and matured for 4.5 years in a 250-litre oloroso hogshead from Montilla-Moriles, Spain.
The use of oats - once commonplace in 19th-century Irish whiskey but now almost extinct in modern mash bills - imparts a creamy mouthfeel and adds depth to the spirit.
Combined with oloroso cask maturation, the whiskey balances orchard fruit sweetness, chocolate richness, candy floss sweetness and layers of baking spice.
Meet Boann at The Whisky Show
Visitors to The Whisky Show can meet Peter Cooney, Andy Mooney, and Dr Fionnán O’Connor at Stand 28, where they will share insights into Boann’s experimental mash bills and sign bottles of this limited-edition release,
Boann 2021 4 Year Old - Single Oloroso Hogshead #21001 Tasting Notes:
Nose: White chocolate, unripe strawberries, rich sultanas, spiced sponge cake, baked apples with cinnamon, and caramel-filled chocolates.
Palate: Oily and rich with orchard fruit, toffee, baking spices, brown sugar, and layers of milk chocolate.
Finish: Juicy sultanas, raisins, lingering toffee sauce, and nutmeg spice.
About Boann Distillery
Based in Meath, Boann Distillery is a family-owned Irish distillery dedicated to reviving Ireland’s whiskey heritage while pushing the boundaries of flavour and innovation. Guided by historical research, experimentation, and traditional craft, Boann produces award-winning Irish whiskeys enjoyed by enthusiasts worldwide.
Slán go fóill.
