Garavogue 20-Year-Old
The winds of change are blowing through County Sligo with the launch of Garavogue 20-Year-Old, the inaugural Irish whiskey from Sazerac’s newly rebranded Hawk’s Rock Distillery. Crafted by renowned master blender Helen Mulholland, this small batch release blends time-honored Irish traditions with bold innovation, and it’s already sparking global interest ahead of its June 2025 debut.
Garavogue 20-Year-Old
Sazerac, best known for Buffalo Trace, acquired Lough Gill Distillery in 2022 and renamed it Hawk’s Rock in April 2025. With a focus on innovation, blending, and honoring local heritage, the distillery’s first release under its new name is a refined Irish single malt: Garavogue 20-Year-Old.
- Product Name: Garavogue 20-Year-Old Irish Single Malt Whiskey
- Brand: Garavogue
- Owned by: Sazerac Company
- Category: Irish Whiskey
- Style: Double-distilled, single malt
- Age: 20 Years
- ABV: 47%
- Country: Ireland
- Region: County Sligo
- Distillery: Hawk’s Rock Distillery
- Launch Date: June 2025
- Price: US$199 (700ml)
- Availability: Limited; US, Ireland, UK, Duty Free, and Legacy de Forge (via BlockBar)
- Range: Small batch/experimental line
Tasting Notes
- Appearance: Rich amber gold
- Nose: Vanilla, spun sugar, floral notes, peaches, and raisins
- Palate: Creamy vanilla, citrus zest, buttery apples, and layers of fresh fruit
- Finish: Long, smooth, subtly spiced with complex oak sweetness
Key Highlights
Garavogue was created to highlight subtlety over saturation. Instead of the usual heavy sherry profile, this expression combines five cask types—American oak, French Muscat, French Sauternes, PX Sherry, and Barbadian rum. Its aim? To deliver complexity without overpowering finesse. Each cask brings depth, creating a layered whiskey that reflects the ebb and flow of the nearby Garavogue River.
- Crafted by Helen Mulholland (ex-Bushmills)
- Unique multi-cask aging process
- Focus on experimental, small-batch innovation
- Sazerac’s vision for modern Irish whiskey
Experts’ Take
Helen Mulholland calls Garavogue “purposefully different,” praising its harmony of flavors and barrel types. Jess Scheerhorn, VP at Sazerac, adds: “We want people to explore Sligo through each sip.” Early tasters have highlighted its creamy balance and fruit-forward complexity as a fresh take on aged Irish malts.
FAQs
Q1: Why is it called Garavogue?
It’s named after the Garavogue River that runs past the distillery in Sligo.
Q2: Will there be more Garavogue releases?
Yes. Future expressions will explore varying maturations, finishes, and whiskey styles.
Q3: Where can I buy it?
It will be available in the US, UK, Ireland, duty-free, and via Legacy de Forge (BlockBar).
