The Bridge Series: Bethlehem

The Whisky Room Scotland | Fine Scottish Malts, Gin, Spirits & Cigars

Distillery/Brand - Lough Ree
Bottler - Lough Ree
Expression - The Bridge Series: Bethlehem
Spirit - Single Grain Irish Whiskey
Region - Ireland
Volume - 70cl
Alcohol - 46% ABV
Cask - Bourbon, PX Sherry
Age - 11 years
Unpeated
Non Chill Filtered
Natural Colour
Minited Edition - 730 bottles
Award Winning: Gold Medal Winner at Irish Whiskey Awards 2021

Lough Ree have sourced and aged some very special whiskies, which we are sharing with you now as limited Single Cask Releases. As you savour these special releases from The Bridge Series, you are joining The Lough Ree Distillery journey. These are limited edition products only.

About 15 km north of Athlone, near the point where the River Inny enters Lough Ree, and close to the towns of Tang, Tubberclair and the legendary Three Jolly Pigeons lies the townland of Bethlehem. It takes its name from the convent founded there, almost 400 years ago, in 1631 to be precise, by the Poor Claire order. In this remote location some 60 nuns lived in silence, barefoot and were the original vegetarians, never eating meat. They only stayed there 10 years, being forced to flee for their lives across the lake in 1641 to prevent being encircled by an advancing battle which left their convent destroyed.

Like all The Bridge releases, this is a non, chill-filtered whiskey with no added colour. 2009 Cooley 11-year- old Single Grain first matured in Bourbon casks and finished for 2 years in a very old PX Sherry butt, which was part of a Solera System for over 30 years. Limited Edition 730 bottles.

Nose: Delicate and complex sherried nose with raisins, prunes and leather.

Taste: A hint of honeyed oak to start, easing into Christmas Spices with rich caramelised fruit, dates and walnuts.

Finish: Long and elegant with dark fruit, nuts and gentle oak spice.