The Dunbrody Madeira Wine 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 perilous transatlantic voyage, and a full-scale replica of the original ship still stands 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 Madeira sets itself apart from most Irish whiskeys in a fundamental way: rather than sharing a single mashbill across its range and simply using different finishing casks, each Dunbrody expression is built around its own unique mashbill, specifically designed for the cask that will mature it. The Madeira expression ages entirely in Madeira wine casks — not as a finishing treatment, but as the primary maturation vessel — drawing sustained wine character throughout every stage of aging for a depth and integration that short-term finishing cannot achieve.
The result earned a Gold Medal at the 2024 USA Spirits Ratings and is a standout expression for whiskey drinkers who appreciate wine-influenced complexity alongside classic Irish smoothness.
Tasting Notes
- Nose: Candied orange peel, vanilla, mango & honey with warm raisin, baked apple & subtle Madeira wine sweetness
- Palate: Round & velvety with orange zest, nutmeg, dried fruit, marzipan & gentle baking spice
- Finish: Long & warming with lingering spice box complexity, Madeira sweetness & soft vanilla
Product Details
- Small Batch Irish Whiskey, Unique Mashbill per Expression
- Aged Entirely in Madeira Wine 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)
- Gold Medal — USA Spirits Ratings 2024
- Triple Distilled
- 45% ABV (90 Proof)
- 700ml
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Dunbrody Madeira Wine Cask Irish Whiskey?
It's a small-batch Irish whiskey distilled at the Great Northern Distillery in County Louth, matured entirely in Madeira wine casks — not just finished in them. Each Dunbrody expression is built around its own unique mashbill designed specifically for its maturation cask, resulting in deeper wine integration than standard cask-finish Irish whiskeys. It earned a Gold Medal at the 2024 USA Spirits Ratings.
How is The Dunbrody different from other cask-finish Irish whiskeys?
Most Irish whiskey brands use one shared mashbill for all expressions, then apply different finishing casks at the end. The Dunbrody gives each expression its own unique mashbill and matures it entirely in the cask listed on the label — not just as a finishing treatment. The Madeira character runs through the full aging process rather than being layered on at the end.
What does Madeira Wine Cask Irish Whiskey taste like?
Candied orange peel, vanilla, and mango on the nose, with a round, velvety palate of orange zest, nutmeg, dried fruit, and marzipan, finishing long and warm with Madeira sweetness and gentle spice.
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.