Boann Single Pot Still Trilogy - Irish Whiskey Review - April 2026

Boann Distillery's trilogy of core expression single pot still Irish Whiskeys arrived in the USA in 2025. Our April review coincides with Arbor Day to recognize Boann's dedication to planting 1,000 trees per year as part of their cask sustainability program. We wouldn't be going "out on a limb" to acknowledge Boann Distillery as both an innovator and restorer of Irish Whiskey's heritage.

Boann Distillery, located in Drogheda, Co. Meath, started distilling in December 2019. Owned and operated by the Cooney family, Boann brought distilling back to Drogheda, once home to 18 Irish distilleries in Ireland's whiskey heyday. The distillery is located near and named for the River Boyne, famous for the Battle and created by the Irish goddess Boann. The distillery is home to three Italian pot stills utilizing nano-technology, purported to allow 6 times more copper contact and produce a cleaner spirit by removing more sulfur compounds.

Before releasing their single pot still whiskeys produced at the distillery, Boann launched a sourced brand of whiskeys in 2016 known as the Whistler range. Named for owner Pat Cooney's whistling, more than a dozen blends and single malts have been released since. The current Whistler range has started to incorporate whiskey produced by Boann into the expressions as they transition away from sourcing.

The first whiskeys produced at Boann Distillery were released as part of a Vintage Mash Bill program which revived and recreated historic recipes. These limited editions are generally non-compliant with the Irish Whiskey technical file, containing components of wheat, rye, and/or oats in excess of the 5% limitation of the single pot still style controversial requirements. Many of the popular expressions have been released under the Solstice name and sold out quickly.

In 2024, the trilogy range of non-age statement single pot stills were released, representing the first compliant core expressions produced by Boann Distillery. All three single pot stills share a consistent mash bill of 55% unmalted barley, 40% malted barley, 3% oats, and 2% rye, varying only from the wood type and wine finish. Bottled at 47% abv, the three expressions are packaged in beautiful embossed glass to represent barley blowing in the wind, bark for wooden casks, and flames for the cask charring. 

Madeira Cask

Matured in 200 liter Brown Forman ex-Bourbon casks made from heavily charred American Oak (Quercus Alba). Finished in vintage Justino's Madeira casks made of 350 liter French oak (Quercus Roba) that formerly held Cognac.

Impressions: Beautiful, subtle wine sweetness on the nose with a creamy, syrupy mouthfeel, modest spice, and lingering finish

Marsala Cask

Matured in 200 liter Brown Forman ex-Bourbon casks made from American Oak (Quercus Alba). Finished in Cantine de Vinci Marsala butts made from (Quercus Petraea) French oak.

Impressions: Honey and fruit on the nose with a chewy, nutty mouthfeel, medium spice, and long finish

PX Cask

Matured in 250 liter Oloroso Sherry Hogsheads made of American Oak (Quercus Alba) from Bodegas Garvey’s of Jerez da la Frontera, Spain. Finished in 500 liter 60 year old Chestnut PX Solera Butts.

Impressions: Rich, deep sherry on the nose confirmed on the palate with pronounced spice (likely from the chestnut wood) and savory finish

Despite sharing the same mashbill, the three expressions provide very different tasting experiences. Depending on your mood on a given night, your preferred expression may change. All three are worthy of favored status. The Madeira and Marsala cask varieties are more subtle and let the spirit shine. The PX cask masks the distillate and could be considered cloying; however, it's quality sherry if that's what appeals to you. 

The Marsala cask edition is a good sipping whiskey that allows for appreciation of the flavor profile. I found this to be my preferred choice on the first night of sampling the three varieties. On the second night, my preference shifted to the Madeira edition. I didn't go for a third night but who knows, maybe the PX would have come out on top.

Boann whiskeys are extremely popular given their variety, experimentation, and nod to the past. The core range single pot stills are no different and represent another new entry into the style outside of the famous Midleton Distillery offerings. You won't be "barking up the wrong tree" to grab any of these three bottles and decide which one you like best.

-A. Dwyer