Waterford Hook Head

700 ml presentation. Hook Head lighthouse stands firm against the full force of the Atlantic Ocean on Ireland’s southern coast, just 10 miles from the distillery – so close that Oliver Cromwell vowed to take Waterford ‘by force or by fair means’ in the seventeenth century. In its shadow, Martin Foley grows barley on limestone-derived clay/loam soils from the Elton series. Exposed to the full spectrum of salt-laden storms, sea mists and ocean breezes, this is an extreme maritime terroir. Notes: Appearance: Straw with oily legs coating the glass. Nose: earthy malt and fresh soil, citrus peel, bread crust, clove, white pepper, caramel, milk chocolate, salted popcorn, lanolin, green oak foliage. Palate: a spice bomb at first; clove, white pepper, salted caramel, liquorice, ginger biscuits, lemon zest and chilli chocolate. Finish: Dry, yet leaves a lasting oiliness that keeps the spiciness going for a long time.