Garavogue 20yr Single Malt Release 01

In 2022, Sazerac Company purchased the Lough Gill Distillery in Co. Sligo. Lough Gill had previously released sourced whiskeys, most notably the trilogy series of 14yr single malts under the Athru name. In April 2025, Sazerac renamed the distillery Hawk's Rock and announced further investment and expansion of the sprawling facility at Hazlewood House by the lake made famous by W.B. Yeats. The Garavogue 20yr Single Malt Release 1 is the first Irish Whiskey under the new iteration.

This new Irish Whiskey is named after the river in Sligo. The Garavogue may be the shortest significant river in Ireland; however, the whiskey has a long and unique finish. This double distilled single malt aged 20 years implies it is Cooley Distillery stock. It resided in ex-bourbon casks for its first 14 years before undergoing an ambitious finishing process.

The whiskey was finished for an additional 6 years in a variety of casks including: French muscat, sauternes, Pedro Ximénez sherry, and Barbadian rum. From an approach perspective, the whiskey is reminiscent of the old Tullamore Dew 10yr single malt (4 cask finish) or original core expression Teeling single malt (5 cask finish). 

I like to think of these multi-cask whiskeys as Frankensteins (in a good way) that would make Mary Shelley proud. However, this whiskey was brought to life by master blender Helen Mulholland and there was nothing fortuitous about it. As many as 16 casks were considered before settling on 8 as part of the final blending process. Each was reportedly chosen to bring a unique flavor profile to her creative process. 

Official notes (from company website):

The Nose: A vanilla rush with warm peach, apricot and spun sugar. The sweetness is counteracted by musky floral notes and raisin.

The Palate: Vanilla sweetness with a hint of citrus intertwine with buttery, ripe apples progressing to black coffee, walnut and ground pepper before returning to raisin and sugar cane.

The Finish: Long and warming, full of fresh fruit bursting with sweetness.

I sampled this whiskey over the span of a few nights to explore whether I picked up new flavors from the cornucopia of cask influences (never thought I'd use that word in a review). If done well, the "Frankenstein" whiskeys can be a masterpiece. Or alternatively, a monster if care is not taken when combining so many parts. Thankfully, the Garavogue is the former as this whiskey is very well balanced. No one cask stands out or overwhelms the others. The whiskey has good weight, a nice bite from the 47% abv, and gentle spice. Subtle fruit flavors combine with custardy creme brulee to produce a not overly sweet Irish whiskey. 

This premium Irish single malt is packaged in a royal blue box with similar label on the modified squat bottle. Identified as Release 01, it apparently may be the first edition of subsequent but different Garavogue expressions that may vary in age, cask variety, or style of whiskey. The release 01 hit US stores in July priced between $150-$200. While hefty, this creature is a sipping whiskey to be enjoyed slowly as you contemplate life's ambitions. 

Review by: A.D. August 2025