Hinch Single Malts - Irish Whiskey Review - November 2025
Posted by Irish Whiskey USA on
Hinch Distillery has released its first Irish whiskeys entirely distilled at its County Down facility. Appearing on US shelves for the first time in October 2025, two single malt expressions represent the latest in Irish whiskeys from the new wave of distilleries to reach US shores.
Hinch began distilling in late 2020 before its official opening in March 2021. The beautiful facility includes various tasting and event rooms, an outdoor courtyard, and a maturation warehouse on site along with its three copper pot stills. Irish whiskey fans were rewarded with a front row view when Hinch hosted the 2024 Irish Whiskey Awards.
In late 2020, Hinch released a range of sourced Irish whiskeys in the USA to bridge the gap while their spirit matured. These included blends, aged malts, a single pot still, and even a peated expression, most of which can be distinguished by their slate blue bottle labels. As part of their 2025 new releases, Hinch has also rebranded with new white labels for their entire range, differentiated by colored lower bands. Both versions of existing products are likely to remain on US shelves but only the white label bottles contain Hinch distilled whiskey.
The two new single malts are non-age statement but can be surmised to be approximately 5 years old. Both are triple distilled and bottled at 43% abv, with a non-peated and peated variety.
The Hinch Single Malt is matured in ex-bourbon American oak and Oloroso sherry casks. A waff of a carnival toffee apple gives way to baked peach turnover. The malt has nice weight and a honey, syrupy finish.
The Hinch Peated Single Malt is matured in ex-bourbon American oak, Madeira, and Oloroso sherry casks. Very well balanced as the peat is interwoven with dried fruit. Earthy and mossy more than ashy or smoky with a subtle sweetness on the finish.
Both punch above their weight class given their youngish age and lower abv. These are fine additions to the roster of non-age statement Irish single malts available in the US.
Along with the new single malts, Hinch also re-released the new versions of their Small Batch blend (50% HInch malt with sourced grain matured in bourbon casks) and 5yr Double Wood (additional virgin oak maturation). The initial roll-out of these new Hinch expressions was the New England area. Wider distribution is expected in 2026. The entire core range is very affordable at ~$30 per bottle currently. Grab yourself one and explore one of the first expressions to come from one of Ireland's newer distilleries.
Review by A. Dwyer