We had the absolute pleasure to attend the launch of Ireland’s newest whiskey, Yeats Irish Whiskey, in no better location than The Abbey Theatre, having been founded by W.B. Yeats himself, and Lady Gregory in 1904.
This unique celebration of Irish whiskey, theatre, and heritage began with a Yeats Irish Whiskey duo of cocktails; the old fashioned “Maud Gonne Wilde” with Yeats Whiskey, charred pear, bitters, & gold leaf, and the refreshing “Lake Isle Iced Tea” with Yeats Whiskey, roasted coconut, soda water, and green tea cordial.
We enjoyed some beautiful harpistry, delicious canapés courtesy of Naomi’s Kitchen, and readings of Yeats’ poetry and prose by actor Jim Roche, then a backstage tour of the stunning Abbey Theatre; what a privilege to immerse ourselves in Ireland’s National Theatre and to walk in the footsteps of literary and theatrical history.
And what of the whiskey itself?
Yeats Irish Whiskey has a smooth grain base, finished in Ruby Port casks, with warm vanilla & honey sweetness, mingling with toasted oak and hints of red berries from the port finish.
Yeats Irish Whiskey is as complex and refined as the poetry that inspired it, transporting us to the mystical Lake Isle of Innisfree.
Press Release:
Yeats Irish Whiskey Launches limited edition first expression, inspired by W.B. Yeats and his connection with Sligo.
A new voice has entered the canon of Irish whiskey. Yeats Irish Whiskey, a Sligo-conceived, Ireland-distilled premium whiskey, launches its debut expression this spring: The Lake Isle of Innisfree, a limited-edition release inspired by the life, landscape, and literary legacy of W.B. Yeats.
Yeats Irish Whiskey is the culmination of a journey that began more than a decade ago. Originally conceived in 2015 as a distillery project, the vision evolved through pauses, restarts, and reflection, mirroring the patience required to make great Irish whiskey. in November 2025, the project entered its final and decisive phase, leading to the launch of the brand’s first expression.
“This whiskey is the result of time, resilience, and respect for craft, for tradition, and for storytelling,” says the founder Patrick Ward. “Like a true Irish whiskey, this is our third distillation of the idea and the one that mattered.”
A Whiskey Rooted in Poetry and Place:
Yeats Irish Whiskey is conceived in County Sligo, a landscape inseparable from Yeats’s poetry and imagination. Each release in the series will take its name from one of Yeat’s poems, beginning with The Lake Isle of Innisfree. From liquid to label, the brand is designed as a tribute to Irish cultural heritage, where whiskey becomes a medium for story as much as spirit.
4,000 individually numbered bottles of this inaugural release are available worldwide, positioning it as both a collector’s item and a meaningful first chapter in a longer narrative.
The Liquid: Artisanal, Layered, Distinct.
The debut expression is a carefully composed blend of:
- 90% aged Irish grain whiskey, matured in primarily first-fill ex-Bourbon American oak casks
- 9% triple-distilled irish malt whiskey, finished in Ruby Port casks
- 1% peated malt, added for subtie depth and structure
The components were matured separately for 5 to 7 years before blending, with bottling decisions guided by flavour rather than age statements. The Ruby Port cask finish is still uncommon in Irish whiskey and adds a distinctive layer of red fruit, warmth, and texture, echoing the refined tastes of Yeats’s era. Ireland’s temperate maritime climate plays a defining role, allowing for slow, even maturation and exceptional integration between spirit and wood.
Tasting Notes
Nose:
Vanilla, honey, and toasted oak from the ex-Bourbon grain, lifted by gentle red berry notes from the Ruby Port finish.
Palate:
Smooth and rounded. Dark fruits and subtle wine sweetness are balanced by soft spice.
Finish:
Medium in length, with lingering sweetness and warmth.
Bottling and Presentation:
Yeats Irish Whiskey is bottled at 43% ABV, a deliberate choice to enhance mouthfeel and complexity while retaining approachability. The whiskey is lightly chill filtered for clarity and Stability.
Packaging reflects the brand’s literary soul: elegant, restrained, and story-driven, designed to feel timeless rather than trendy. Every element is intended to honour Yeats’s legacy with integrity and care.
This release is crafted for everyone:
Collectors, drawn to its limited nature and literary significance.
Whiskey enthusiasts, seeking layered flavour and uncommon cask influence.
Newcomers, discovering premium Irish whiskey through an approachable, story-rich expression.
Best enjoyed neat, or with a few drops of water to open up the fruit and vanilla notes. It also lends itself to refined serves such as a premium highball or thoughtful signature cocktails.
Looking Ahead:
The Lake Isle of Innisfree is the first expression in an ongoing Yeats Irish Whiskey series. Work has already begun on the second release, with future expressions exploring new cask finishes, styles, and poetic themes—all remaining small-batch, limited, and story-led.
Planned initiatives include curated tastings, cultural partnerships, and a collector’s trilogy box set following the first three releases.
Availability:
Yeats Irish Whiskey – The Lake Isle of Innisfree will be available in limited quantities from March 2026.
