Currach Single Malt - Irish Whiskey Review - March 2026

Irish Whiskey's 2nd renaissance is not just a revival of the industry but a resurgence led by innovation and experimentation. Examples include non-traditional wine cask finishing like marsala, bordeaux, and burgundy along with unique Irish oak, acacia, and chestnut wood aging. Beer cask collaborations have become commonplace along with increased use of oats, wheat, and rye into the unique single pot still style. Peated Irish whiskeys are also growing in volume adding to the extremely diverse range available today. Arguably the most distinctive Irish whiskey brand is Currach, due to its use of seaweed in the cask maturation process.

Currach is an independent Irish whiskey brand owned by Origin Spirits in west Cork Ireland. The brand sources its whiskey from West Cork distillery and also produces Kalak vodka and Ornabrak gin. A currach is a traditional Irish boat made by hand from wicker and used historically for coastal travel and trade. The name inspires the maritime style of the whiskey.

The Kombu Single Malt was the first core range expression released by Currach. Kombu, meaning dried kelp, is an edible seaweed found in Ireland and often used to enhance food flavors. Other Currach whiskey expressions have followed including the Wakame seaweed edition as well as single malts with further secondary finishing in mezcal and peat. 

Currach Kombu is a non-age statement, triple distilled single malt bottled at 46% abv. Maturation is in ex-bourbon casks before a unique finishing process. The Kombu seaweed is used as a fuel source during the cask charring process. The whiskey is then finished for 3 months in these seaweed charred virgin oak casks. 

Official Brand Tasting Notes

Nose: Toffee and raisins with hints of almond, backed by a roasted kombu aroma.

Palate: Arabic roast coffee fused with salted caramel and dark chocolate notes complemented by nutty, earthy and lightly smoked seaside and umami undertones.

Finish: Dark and rich flavours fade to leave a persistent and delicately sweet maritime finish.

The seaweed infused cask imparts a unami, more commonly known as MSG, quality which is described as savory, meaty, and mouthwatering. Aromas of the ocean and over-ripe bananas are evident. More briny than fishy, the whiskey is creamy and chewy, covering the mouth with a mild peppery and medium finish. Funky, nutty, and sweet flavors all combine for an intriguing tasting experience. 

This one is definitely worth checking out. Some may need to get past the seaweed aspect which truthfully would not likely be identifiable if tasted blind. It's odd and unique with characteristics that might be difficult to pinpoint without a compass for those used to more traditional cask finishes. Maybe not an everyday drinker but that's ok. Embrace the madness and cast off on an adventurous Irish Whiskey experience.

A. Dwyer-March 2026