Waterford Der Wanderer

Der Wanderer, meaning 'The Wanderer', is a Micro Cuvée developed specifically for the German market by Waterford's head distiller Ned Gahan, bottled in September 2022 with an outturn of 1,200 bottles. The assemblage combines spirit from the Tinnashrule farm, Germany's dedicated Single Farm Origin in Waterford's market allocation programme, with a measured inclusion of peated Fenniscourt distillate, adding a subtle layer of Irish peat smoke to the unpeated base. Every bottle carries the TÉIREOIR code linking back to the specific farms and cask records behind the blend.

Maturation combined first fill American oak, virgin American oak, premium French oak and Vin Doux Naturel casks. First fill Bourbon contributes vanillin and coconut lactones through the charred inner wood. Virgin American oak adds toasted sugar and raw lignin derived spice. French oak delivers finer grained tannins with clove phenolics. The Vin Doux Naturel casks, previously used for fortified sweet wines from southern France, add oxidised fruit esters and concentrated sweetness. The peated Fenniscourt component introduces low level phenolic smoke without dominating the Waterford barley character. Bottled at 50% without chill filtration or added colour.

The nose carries citric brightness, cooked mash, fresh fruit, hay and honey.