Fighting 69th Irish Whiskey

Many historic battles occurred in the month of April. Given the significance of these battles and those who gave their lives fighting, we honor the past by reviewing The Fighting 69th Irish Whiskey this month.

On April 23, 1014, The Battle of Clontarf was fought between the Irish High King Brian Boru and a coalition which included Norsemen in the now Dublin suburb. The battle has been mythologically chronicled and is significant for both the death of Boru even in victory and the defeat of Viking power in Ireland. 

In America, the Shot Heard "Round the World" rang out on April 19, 1775, beginning the Revolutionary War at the Battle of Lexington and Concord.  Commemorated as Patriot's Day each year in Massachusetts, the battle is recognized as persuading Americans to take up the fight against the British.

Finally, the Easter Rising took place Monday April 24, 1916 in Ireland. The insurrection against the British led to the Proclamation which was the start of the path to Ireland's independence.

The Fighting 69th regiment was an all-Irish citizen militia group from New York City that organized initially with the intention of returning to Ireland to expel the British. 

Founded in 1849, the 69th fought for the USA in the Civil War, WW1, WW2, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Today, the regiment still consists of a light single infantry battalion that can be found leading the Saint Patrick's Day parade in New York city. In recognition of everything the regiment has accomplished, an Irish Whiskey was launched in 2019 and named in their honor.

The Fighting 69th Irish Whiskey is a fairly complex triple distilled blend aged between 4-6 years. It is comprised of all three styles of Irish Whiskey: single pot still, single malt, and single grain. Each style is aged separately for 3 years in ex-bourbon casks. The distillates are then finished in a variety of other casks including: Single-Char, Double-Char, Oloroso Sherry, Rum, and Port. The finished blend is then created and bottled at 40% abv.

This is a very enjoyable blend. It is similar to other 3 style blends like Paddy's, Dunville's, and Lost Irish (which also utilizes multiple cask finishes.) Light and very approachable, notes of honey and pear on the nose met with vanilla and caramel on the palate. The blend of multiple styles and cask finishes provides different flavor notes that can be detected with repeated tastings.  

Widely available in the US for ~$35, this is the type of blended Irish Whiskey to have on your home bar as an everyday drinker with a twist. As an added bonus, $1 from every bottle purchased goes to support the 69th Infantry Regiment Historical Trust, a not-for-profit foundation.

 Image Credits: Fighting 69th Irish Whiskey