Kinsale Spirit Red Earl Irish Whiskey 70cl

‘As bold as the hero it honors,’ Red Hugh O’Donnell is celebrated as one of the great heroes in Irish history. As the chieftain of a powerful dynasty in northwest Ireland, he led numerous successful battles against the forces of Queen Elizabeth I. The brave young man became the Earl of Tyrconnell after escaping five years of captivity in Dublin Castle by the English army.

He traversed large mountains and the harsh Irish landscape in the peak of winter, suffering severe frostbite that led to the loss of a big toe on each foot. As chieftain, he forged alliances with various Irish clans to challenge English dominance in Ireland, including a significant alliance with the rival O’Neills, led by his future father-in-law and the formidable leader, Hugh O’Neill.

Together, they waged the ‘Nine Years War’ to expel their common foe from Ireland. The campaign started with a series of significant Irish victories. After persuasion by O’Donnell and O’Neill, in 1601, Spain’s King Philip III dispatched Don Juan del Águila and Don Diego Brochero with thousands of Spanish troops to assist in the fight against their shared adversary.

However, upon their arrival at Kinsale’s port, they were besieged by English forces, leading to an Irish defeat. The Battle of Kinsale resulted in numerous Irish and Spanish casualties. The Irish forces retreated to Ulster, and our hero Red Hugh departed for Spain to seek additional support, as Ireland had fallen completely under British control. Red Hugh passed away after just nine months in Spain, where it is suspected he was poisoned by a British spy in his sleep. He is interred near the Rioja wine region in Spain today.

Red Earl Blended Irish Whiskey combines ex-bourbon barrel-aged grain Irish whiskey with ex-sherry triple-distilled malt. After maturing for 45 months, these are then blended and aged for at least an additional 4 months in ex-Rioja casks. The choice of Rioja is inspired by its spicy fruit notes and to honor the final resting place of Red Hugh, which is close to Spain’s Rioja region.