Killowen Distillery is a small independent distillery located in the Mourne Mountains of County Down, Northern Ireland. Established in 2017, it has become part of the newer generation of Irish distilleries that have emerged during the recent revival of Irish whiskey production.
The distillery was founded by distiller Brendan Carty, together with Liam Brogan and Shane McCarthy. From the outset, Killowen has focused on small-scale production and traditional methods, particularly in relation to Irish pot still spirit.
One of the defining features of the distillery is its use of two small flame fed pot stills and worm tub condensers. These are uncommon choices in contemporary Irish distilling and reflect the distillery’s focus on older production techniques and innovation.
In 2026, Killowen’s team was named Production Team of the Year at the World Whiskies Awards Ireland. Which all comes together to make us excited to try today’s whisky:
Killowen Rum & Raisin Specials 9 Year Old (Single Cask)
Region: Irelands
ABV: 57.0%
Price: £???
Today’s review is the inaugural release in the Rum & Raisin Specials series. After nine years in a Pauillac Cabernet Sauvignon cask, this whiskey received a short finish in a Killowen rum cask. It was ultimately bottled at nine years old at cask strength. No outturn has been stated.
Nose
The nose opens with orange marmalade, cold butter, apricots, gingerbread, and raspberries. With a little patience we can also tease out notes of foam bananas, strawberry Angel Delight, and coconut. Good alcohol integration given the ABV.
Palate
It is a little too spicy for us, more of a chilli heat, and it distracts from the sweeter fruit notes sitting behind it. Pushing past the spice there is plenty of red fruits carried over from the nose, along with some vanilla extract, and a very wine-led character, like a mix of Pinot Gris and Shiraz. The mouthfeel is good. Although as we sip it, it becomes quite mouth drying. The finish is a good length, but is dominated by that spice. There is also less of the rum cask influence on the palate than we found on the nose.
Nose (with water)
Water has not materially changed the nose, but some of the aromas feel a little muted now, with the original wine cask notes sitting more to the fore. It is almost like nosing a glass of Beaujolais, or perhaps a Zweigelt as opposed to a whisky.
Palate (with water)
The mouthfeel has held up well and, much like the nose, the wine influence really takes centre stage on the palate. It is now largely raspberries, cranberries, and cherries. The spice is in better balance and the finish is now medium in length.
Conclusion
It is an interesting dram, and the combination of spirit and cask types has created something with a wide array of flavours and aromas. Personally, it is not for us as it sits a little too far outside our usual wheelhouse, but we can appreciate what has been done here. On a personal level, we'd score it a 6/10, but from a technical standpoint, we're putting it at a 7/10.
Score: 7/10
Value
We have not seen a price for this as we only sampled it, but if anyone knows, please drop us a message.
- 10 - Perfection. One in a million
- 9 - Outstanding. Exceptional whisky.
- 8 - Great. Would seek this out.
- 7 - Good. Quality whisky.
- 6 - Above average. Happy to have a dram.
- 5 - Average. Drinkable whisky.
- 4 - Below average. Passable.
- 3 - Flawed. Noticeable negatives.
- 2 - Defective. Significant faults.
- 1 - Offensive. Pour it out.
If you like what you’ve read then check out our social media (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram) to get notifications of when we post a new review or just to chat about whisky with us.
Leave a comment