The Dunbrody Bourbon Cask Irish Whiskey is named after the historic Dunbrody Famine Ship — a vessel that carried Irish emigrants fleeing the Great Famine to America in the 1840s. The brand was founded by a descendant of those who made that transatlantic voyage, and a full-scale replica of the ship stands today as a visitor centre at New Ross, County Wexford. Every bottle carries that heritage.
Distilled at the Great Northern Distillery in County Louth and crafted by Master Blender Jeffrey Karlovitch, The Dunbrody Bourbon Cask is built on a principle that separates it from almost every other cask-finish Irish whiskey on the market: rather than applying a bourbon barrel as a finishing treatment to a generic shared base, this expression has its own unique mashbill — 71% corn, 20% rye, and 9% barley — specifically designed to age entirely in American bourbon casks. The result is sometimes described as a bourbon drinker's Irish whiskey: the high-rye mashbill delivers structure and spice that bourbon lovers will recognise, while triple distillation keeps the characteristic Irish smoothness intact.
It earned a Silver Medal at the Bartender Spirits Awards 2024 and is an excellent crossover bottle for whiskey drinkers who love bourbon but want to explore Irish whiskey — or Irish whiskey drinkers ready for a bolder, more structured pour.
Tasting Notes
- Nose: Black tea, vanilla bean, honey & caramel with hints of toasted coconut, dried fruit & soft spice
- Palate: Toffee, butterscotch, ripe pear & light vanilla with vibrant rye spice, citrus zest & gentle oak
- Finish: Medium & warming with lingering toffee, rye spice & smooth bourbon oak
Product Details
- Small Batch Irish Whiskey, Unique High-Rye Mashbill (71% Corn, 20% Rye, 9% Barley)
- Aged Entirely in American Bourbon Casks — Not a Finishing Treatment
- Crafted by Master Blender Jeffrey Karlovitch
- Distilled at Great Northern Distillery, County Louth, Ireland
- Named After the Dunbrody Famine Ship (1840s)
- Silver Medal — Bartender Spirits Awards 2024
- Triple Distilled
- 45% ABV (90 Proof)
- 700ml
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Dunbrody Bourbon Cask a good choice for bourbon drinkers?
Yes — it's specifically built for it. Its mashbill of 71% corn, 20% rye, and 9% barley mirrors a high-rye bourbon profile, giving bourbon drinkers the structure and spice they expect, while triple distillation delivers the smooth, approachable finish Irish whiskey is known for. It earned a Silver Medal at the 2024 Bartender Spirits Awards.
How is The Dunbrody different from other bourbon cask Irish whiskeys?
Most Irish whiskeys use one shared mashbill across the range and apply bourbon barrels only as a short finishing cask. The Dunbrody Bourbon Cask has its own unique mashbill designed specifically for bourbon cask maturation, aging in bourbon barrels throughout — not just at the end — for deeper integration of oak, vanilla, and spice.
What does it taste like?
Black tea, vanilla, and honey on the nose; toffee, butterscotch, ripe pear, and rye spice on the palate; finishing smooth and warming with lingering toffee and bourbon oak.
What is the story behind The Dunbrody name?
The brand is named after the Dunbrody Famine Ship, which carried Irish emigrants to America during the Great Famine of the 1840s. Master Blender Jeffrey Karlovitch is himself a descendant of those passengers. A full-scale replica of the ship is a visitor attraction today in New Ross, County Wexford, Ireland.