Waterford Dunbell: Edition 1.1

Dunbell 1.1 is a Single Farm Origin release drawing on barley grown by Ned Murphy east of the River Nore in Co. Kilkenny. The farm sits on deep loamy soils derived from glacial drift comprised of limestone, sandstone and shale, in the shadow of the Tullaherin round tower. The Irish name for the location, Dún Bile, translates as 'edge fort'. The Irina barley variety was harvested in 2015 and distilled in 2016. Bottled in August 2020 with an outturn of 6,000 bottles for the United States market. Every bottle carries the TÉIREOIR code linking to the specific field, soil analysis and cask records.

Maturation used the Waterford standard combination of first fill American oak, virgin American oak, premium French oak and Vin Doux Naturel casks. Cask composition for this release ran 33% first fill American oak, 22% virgin American oak, 26% premium French oak and 19% Vin Doux Naturel. 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. Bottled at 50% without chill filtration or added colour.

On the nose, fresh apple underpinned by darker dried fig and date. The palate opens with tropical fruit and develops through chocolate, graham cracker, barley, peppercorn and aniseed. A faint salinity closes the finish.