Waterford Lacken: Edition 1.1

Lacken 1.1 is the France exclusive Single Farm Origin release in Waterford's market allocation programme, part of the 2021 initiative that gave five European markets their own dedicated farm to follow over successive editions. The barley was grown by Francis Kehoe on sandy coastal land in Co. Wexford, a free draining terroir distinct from the heavier inland loams typical of the region. Distilled in 2017 and bottled in March 2021 after three years of maturation, with an outturn of 12,000 bottles. 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. 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.

Tasting notes run from vanilla, chocolate and citric brightness on the nose into fresh fruit and hay on the palate.