The Killowen Gloria Cask Aged Coffee Liqueur is a masterful creation from Killowen Distillery, a beacon of craftsmanship nestled in the Mourne Mountains of Northern Ireland. Known for their commitment to the revival of historical recipes and techniques, Killowen Distillery produces spirits that are both innovative and deeply rooted in Irish tradition.
Established with a vision to blend the old with the new, Killowen Distillery is not just a producer of fine spirits but a custodian of Irish distilling heritage. The distillery operates with a focus on small-batch production, ensuring meticulous attention to detail and quality. The Gloria Coffee Liqueur exemplifies this approach, combining locally sourced coffee with the distillery's own poitín, aged in American oak casks to infuse the spirit with subtle complexities.
The production process involves a careful selection of the richest coffee beans, which are then blended with high-quality poitín before the ageing process begins. This meticulous method allows the coffee's robust flavours to marry perfectly with the vanilla and oak notes from the cask, resulting in a liqueur that is both vibrant and harmoniously balanced.
Founded by a team passionate about distilling, Killowen Distillery is one of the few in Ireland to hold true to the full pot still Irish whiskey-making tradition, while also daring to venture into innovative territories with products like coffee liqueur. Their operations are enhanced by the unique microclimate of the Mourne Mountains, which imparts distinct characteristics to their spirits. The team at Killowen is dedicated to transparency and sustainability, embracing methods that respect both the environment and the rich history of Irish distilling.
Tasting Notes:
- Appearance: Deep, dark coffee colour, promising richness and depth.
- Aroma: Dominant freshly brewed coffee aromas enriched with hints of toffee and spice from the bourbon cask ageing.
- Flavour: Intense coffee at the forefront, seamlessly transitioning to a sweet, creamy body with notes of chocolate and a slight woody spice.
- Mouthfeel: Smooth and velvety, leaving a long-lasting, pleasing warmth with a sweet finish.
This liqueur is a perfect after-dinner drink that can be savoured alone or added to desserts for an extra layer of flavour. It complements the bitterness of dark chocolate or can add depth to a creamy vanilla ice cream. For a culinary twist, incorporate it into a marinade to bring a coffee-infused sweetness to barbecued meats.
Killowen Gloria shines in cocktail applications, particularly in those that traditionally use coffee liqueur like the White Russian or Espresso Martini. For a simple yet elegant drink, mix it with vodka and espresso for an invigorating cocktail, or blend it with Irish cream for a decadent treat.
Shop the best of Irish liqueurs and from around the world online with TheCru.ie or in our Dublin store, Carry Out Tyrrelstown in Dublin 15.