Silkie

Silkie comes from Sliabh Liag Distillers, an independent family business in County Donegal founded by James and Moira Doherty. The company now distils at its own Ardara Distillery, but the Silkie whiskeys are blended from Irish whiskey distilled elsewhere, as many young Irish brands do in their early years. With them, Sliabh Liag aims to revive the style that Donegal distillers were once known for.

Mainly style and cask. The Legendary Silkie is a smooth blend with honey and ripe fruit, the brand's starting point. The Dark Silkie is a fuller blend with sherry casks, dried fruit and spice. The Midnight Silkie is a single malt with sherry influence and the most spice. Roughly speaking, the darker the name, the richer the taste. Start with The Legendary if you are still discovering Irish whiskey.

It gives the smooth blend an extra layer of dried plum, raisin and warm, grapey fruit. Armagnac is a French brandy from Gascony, and the whiskey is finished in casks that held it. The familiar honey and apple notes of The Legendary Silkie remain recognisable, but the finish becomes rounder. A lovely choice if you enjoy cognac or armagnac and want to explore Irish whiskey.

According to the tale, a silkie comes ashore by moonlight at Silver Strand on the Donegal coast. She sheds her sealskin, becomes a dark-haired woman and falls in love with a young fisherman. Yet the sea keeps calling her, and in the end she returns to the ocean for good. You can read the whole story in The legend of the Silkie.

Neat, with a dash of water or in a cocktail: Silkie is smooth enough for all three. Silkie itself suggests, among other serves, a highball of The Legendary Silkie with ginger ale and orange bitters, The Dark Silkie with espresso and coffee liqueur, and The Midnight Silkie in a stirred cocktail with sweet vermouth and Angostura. For sipping neat, use a tulip glass; for a highball, a tall glass with plenty of ice.