Killowen Gloria Coffee Liqueur

Killowen Gloria is a coffee liqueur from Ireland, made at the small Killowen Distillery in the Mourne Mountains, which distils in copper pot stills and works in particularly small batches. What sets it apart is the base: rather than a neutral spirit it is built on the distillery's own poitin, an Irish distillate deeply rooted in tradition, married to rich coffee and bottled at 20%. The combination of coffee and that grain forward poitin is the whole point, giving the liqueur a character the usual rum or vodka based coffee liqueurs lack.

The nose is intense coffee with delicate sweetness, creamy roasted aromas and a hint of grain from the poitin, the palate full bodied and aromatic with strong coffee, soft sweetness, malty undertones and harmonious spice, finishing long, warm and balanced. Behind the bar it adds coffee roast, sweetness, body and an unusual malty grain depth, which suits an Espresso Martini, an Irish coffee interpretation or a creamy dessert cocktail. Pour it neat or over ice to show the structure, or reach for it when a coffee drink wants a grain forward twist.