This Irish Whiskey Has Everything to Do With Two Mythical Kings
NewsMonday, 15 December 2025 at 12:09
It’s almost the shortest day of the year, and that means Boann Distillery is unveiling a new whiskey. For the Winter Solstice of 2025, the Irish distillery has two single cask Single Pot Still Irish Whiskeys lined up: The Oak King and The Holly King.
FAQ
- Where is Boann Distillery located?
In Drogheda, Ireland.
- What is the Winter Solstice?
The winter solstice, the shortest day of the year.
- What kind of whiskey does Boann Distillery make?
Typically smooth Irish whiskey from pot stills.
Read also
Two whiskeys for the shortest day of the year
Every year around the summer and winter solstices, Boann Distillery releases a new whiskey. For the winter edition, they’ve gone one better: two bottlings instead of one.
The Winter Solstice Release features two specially selected single cask single pot still whiskeys inspired by figures from Celtic pagan mythology: the Oak King and the Holly King.
According to myth, they trade places at the summer and winter solstices, embodying the eternal cycle between light and dark, summer and winter, growth and stillness. The Oak King represents light; the Holly King, the dark.
What is Boann Distillery’s The Oak King whiskey?
The Oak King is a single pot still whiskey matured entirely in an Amontillado hogshead. The cask hails from Montilla, Spain.
Expect a creamy, floral profile. The tasting notes highlight butter and cream soda, fresh hay and chamomile, rounded out by caramelized sweetness and vanilla.
You’ll also find delicate hints of smoke, warm spices, toffee apples, and soft chocolate.
What is Boann Distillery’s The Holly King whiskey?
The Holly King single pot still whiskey comes from an Oloroso hogshead from Montilla. This cask imparts a deeper, darker character, perfect for winter.
Tasting notes include campfire smoke, leather, and red berries, layered with dark forest fruits. There are rich tones of caramel and toffee, a bright hint of strawberry jam, and earthy notes reminiscent of tree bark.
The finish is marked by lingering smoky spices and a late warmth of gingerbread. The texture is described as thick and velvety.
When are Boann Distillery’s Winter Solstice whiskeys released?
The two new whiskeys launched yesterday, just ahead of the winter solstice. Bottles are available online via the distillery’s website. Pricing per bottle has not yet been announced.
Boann Distillery notes that subscribers to their mailing list may enjoy a checkout benefit in the webshop. As these are single cask Irish whiskeys, each bottling is by definition limited. This positions the Winter Solstice 2025 release as an exclusive, carefully curated addition to the distillery’s portfolio.
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LATEST COMMENTS
- Hi Yvonne, Thank you for your response and for sharing the video. Unfortunately, the evidence you referred to consists only of two people talking about the whisky, without any explanation or identification. We have not spoken to the individuals in the video ourselves, nor can we verify who they are. We describe it as a Chinese whisky because it is released by a Chinese distillery. As you mentioned, the distillery has chosen to label the product as “pure malt” instead of “Chinese whisky.” Based on that, we do not believe they are doing anything illegal.M0nkey16-11-2025
- So - you have the proof......where's your write up?Yvonne16-11-2025
- You are absolutely right. Luckily that doesn't matter for the taste of the whisky. Have you tried it yet?M0nkey05-11-2025
- Guess what? Finland is not part of Scandinavia.Gray105-11-2025
- Throw in the towel? You mean restructure to compete and win in a challenging industry environment.WestwardFounder21-10-2025
- There is nothing legally to prevent the English whisky GI from coming into force, it complies with all the relevant laws and the single malt definition follows the precedent of Welsh whisky and US whiskyChefBear15-10-2025
- Three emails sent (two with videos, linked to a Google Drive Share). 1. The original video. 2. The video with subtitles as it was shared on YouTube 3. Screen grab of the YouTube channel where the video was blocked due to Pernod Ricard lobbying. The story was covered on Drinks Intel at the time - link here - https://drinks-intel.com/subscriber-news/pernod-ricards-the-chuan-pure-malt-whisky-not-sourced-solely-from-china-global-drinks-intel-exclusive/Yvonne10-10-2025
- Hi Yvonne, Thank you for your interesting comment. Could you share your copy with us, so we can adjust our item accordingly? Mail us at [email protected]. Thank you in advance.M0nkey09-10-2025
- Let's keep this factually correct. Pernod Ricard DID NOT release a Chinese whisky. Their first output from The Chuan (the name of the distillery in Sichuan, China) wasn't fit for bottling. What they actually bottled was imported Scotch whisky. This is why the product is called "PURE MALT" and not "Chinese Whisky" - because Pure Malt is not a regulated term - this is not a secret. This was exposed about a week after they released it. There were even videos about their own staff on site admitting it was made from imported whisky - which Pernod Ricard got the lawyers onto to get the video pulled. I've got a copy if you want it.Yvonne09-10-2025
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