FIRST SIP: Connacht Whiskey Co. Ballyhoo

The Connacht Whiskey Co. is the first to distill in County Mayo in 150 years. (Photo courtesy of Connacht Whiskey Co.)

Ballyhoo is one of four whiskeys Connacht currently sells.

Connacht distills its own whiskey in addition to bottling sourced whiskeys like Ballyhoo.  (Photo courtesy of Connacht Whiskey Co.) 

The Connacht Distillery is located along the River Moy in Co. Mayo (about 60 km west of Sligo) in the heart of the Wild Atlantic Way.

"Ballyhoo" is a celebratory word that one might exclaim after a hard-fought victory in sports or life. The whiskey is sourced from a 93% French corn mashbill that is then further aged and finished in former Port casks.

Light, fairly sweet and virtually colorless, this is a somewhat unusual Irish whiskey. It tastes young--there's plenty of vanilla and candied fruit, even some marzipan. 

ABV: 43%

Retail price: $30-40

Ballyhoo: 90 POINTS