Sliabh Liag Distillers, Donegal’s first legal distillery in 175 years, has officially launched The Midnight Silkie Irish Whiskey across the United States. As the smokiest blend in the Silkie Whiskey collection yet, it has at its heart a triple distilled peated single malt, giving a rich, smoky, complex character that is distinctly different to lighter styles of Irish whiskey.

Preceding its official debut in the U.S., the Midnight Silkie Irish Whiskey won double gold in its first competition at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

Inspired by company founder James Doherty’s childhood memories of the aroma of his grandfather’s tobacco pipe, Midnight Silkie uses a variety of triple distilled, peated and unpeated single malts matured in sherry, bourbon, oloroso, red wine, virgin oak and imperial stout casks to attain the smoky, sweet tobacco and sandalwood fragrances that are found on the nose.

Commenting on the release, Founder James Doherty said: “Our smokiest whiskey yet really harks back to a pre-prohibition time when Donegal’s characteristic style was famed for warming, earthy flavours. Just one sniff has me transported right back to my grandparents’ front room and the rich smells of the peat fire, pipe tobacco and fresh baking combining lusciously.”

Designed to take drinkers on a journey through true Irish whiskey, each blend from the collection increases in complexity and smokiness, offering a true sense of Donegal’s nearly-forgotten distilling style. With this mission in mind, The Silkie Collection has become a staple in Irish whiskey drinkers’ repertoire while also changing imbibers’ overall perception of smoky whiskey.

As with all other gold-medal-winning Silkie Irish Whiskeys in the range (Silkie and Dark Silkie), Sliabh Liag Distillers offers full transparency of Midnight’s blend. Bottled at 46% ABV, Midnight Silkie is non-chill filtered and has no colouring added – the yellow gold liquid is solely from the intriguing cask mix.

Named after the legendary Silkie seals of the Donegal coast, mythical shapeshifters who turn from seal to enchanting sea maiden to steal the hearts of fishermen, The Midnight Silkie Irish Whiskey is priced at $46.99 and is currently rolling out across all 50 states – both in-store and with select online retailers including Tipxy (full distribution details available upon request).

For more information, visit https://www.sliabhliagdistillers.com.