Ballykeefe Irish Whiskeys - Irish Whiskey Review - June 2026

Kilkenny, Ireland is credited as the birthplace of Irish Whiskey, attributed to the first written recipe of 'uisce beatha' in the Red Book of Ossory back in 1324. Ballykeefe Distillery brought whiskey making back to Kilkenny when it opened in 2016. Located just a few minutes outside Kilkenny city, Ballykeefe is a family owned, single farm, grain to glass operation. 

The distillery is the brainchild of Morgan Ging, who after years of research, launched the distillery on the farm to diversify and sustain the family business for future generations. The artisinal, single estate operation began distilling in 2017, reviving a lost legacy in the area for the first time in 200 years. All the barley used for Ballykeefe's Irish Whiskey is grown and harvested on the farm. Water is sourced from an aquifer on the farm to produce the range of spirits which include vodka, gin, and poitin, in addition to whiskey.

Meticulous care was taken in designing and building the distillery. A former stable building was converted into the visitor center and tasting room. The distilling apparatus was built to exact specifications after years of research by Morgan to create the desired quality and type of spirit. Production of the extra long neck copper pot stills, insisted by Morgan to create the desired reflux, copper interaction, and flavor profile, was done by the Barison family of Italy. Unwilling to compromise on design specifications, even if it required a longer and more expensive process, is one example of the care and attention taken to build the distillery and fulfill Morgan's vision for producing whiskey.

Ballykeefe Distillery launched its first whiskey in March 2021, a single pot still expression in both cask strength and 46% abv versions. Single malt expressions followed in November 2021. These landmark limited edition whiskeys can still be found via auction sites and at the winecentre.ie shop in Kilkenny.

In January 2026, the bottles were redesigned with a more colorful label. The new design more prominently displays the brand's logo which features three horses ploughing a field, a tribute to Morgan's grandfather who used the middle horse to train. Today, the logo symbolically represents the triple distillation method of the distillery. 

The current range are both triple distilled, matured in ex-bourbon casks, and bottled at 46% abv. Both are non-age statement whiskeys.

Single Malt Official Tasting Notes:

Nose

A Gentle nose with notes of Toasted Oak, Citrus and Coconut, resolving to Apple Sponge.

Taste

At first Malt and Fruit dominate with Mango and a hint of ripe Banana. Then Toffee Apple fading to Crème Brûlée.

Finish

Long finish with notes of Apple Custard and a hint of Cloves.

Single Pot Still Official Tasting Notes:

Nose

Warm inviting nose with Caramel Toffee Notes, Soft Oak Vanilla,  Malt Cereal and a hint of Coconut.

Taste

A surge of Rich Earthy Malt with sweet and spicy notes of Liquorice, Cloves, Dried Fruit and Green Cardamom. A small splash of water opens the Rich Malt flavours even more and enhances the silky mouthfeel.

Finish

Long Malty finish yields to Cloved Oranges and Aniseed.

The Single Malt nose is floral with rich stewed apple notes. The liquid is soft on the palate with a mildly sweet custard flavor surrounded by lush apple lingering on the long finish. The nose on the Single Pot Still highlights honey, vanilla, and toffee which continue on the palate. Gentle, warming spices linger on the long malty finish. 

As a fan of Irish whiskeys matured exclusively in ex-bourbon casks, these expressions don't disappoint. The spirit is allowed to shine in both expressions without any peat or sherry masking the youthfulness (as is often the case with other brands). For those looking for comparables, the Tyrconnell single malt and Kilbeggan Single Pot Still would be similar ex-bourbon matured, non-age statement brands. As of this writing, I'm partial to the Ballykeefe Single Malt over the Single Pot Still expression. I will be interested to see if extended age maturation changes my perception in potential future releases, particularly for the single pot still.

Fans of trying relatively newer, craft distillations should include the Ballykeefe Distillery expressions. Availability is fairly widespread in USA retailers (across ~20 states). Delivery from Ireland is also available via the Wine Centre in Killkenny. Better yet, arrange a visit to the artisanal farm distillery and see the craft operation firsthand.

A. Dwyer-June 2026