AWARD-WINNING LUXURY IRISH WHISKEY COMPANY, THE CRAFT IRISH WHISKEY CO., LAUNCHES ITS FIRST CONCEPT STORE IN SELFRIDGES LONDON
The ultra-rare collection will be available to purchase in store, including the last remaining bottles of the inaugural release, The Devil’s Keep, and the record-breaking The Emerald Isle, which commanded unprecedented interest at auction, becoming the world’s most expensive whiskey when it sold for $2,000,000 in 2021, overtaking The Macallan 1926 which sold for $1,900,000
London, 12th December 2022 – Throughout December and January, visitors to The Craft Irish Whiskey Co.’s pop up in Selfridges, London, will be able to see the world’s first and only Fabergé Celtic Egg, along with the rarest Irish single malt in existence, as part of the launch of the whiskey company’s first concept store in the prestigious Wonder Room located on the ground floor.
The full range of ultra-rare Irish single malts will be available for shoppers to view and buy as part of its exclusive retail partnership with Selfridges London and online. It will also be an opportunity to meet the team, including Founder, Jay Bradley and Managing Director, Ian Duignan for an introduction to the world of Irish whiskey and the heritage and craftsmanship behind the brand.
It will feature The Emerald Isle, the company’s second record-breaking release, a seven-piece custom-made whiskey set featuring the rarest Irish single malt in the world, finished in a single, half-filled 40L Pedro Ximénez sherry cask. Items of equal rarity complete the collection, with the world’s first Fabergé Celtic Egg, two ultra-rare Cohiba Siglo VI Gran Reserva 2009 cigars and a unique 1/1 Fabergé watch in 18k rose gold with white mother of pearl face, skilfully etched and hand-painted with 24k rose gold. The Emerald Isle is housed in an exquisitely handcrafted display case, with each bespoke set dedicated to one of the Seven Wonders of Ireland. Purchasers of The Emerald Isle will receive the whiskey through the company’s ‘white glove’ delivery service, with delivery made personally by Founder and CEO, Jay Bradley.
The single malts offer the perfect Christmas gifting opportunity and have gained fans around the world for their exquisitely designed surrounds and complex, rich layers of flavour. Owning the rare single malts has previously been limited to private clients who have been able to visit the company’s head office or speak with a Craft Specialist. Now whiskey fans will be able to view, buy and walk away with their whiskey, from the company’s first ever store.
The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. has developed an innovative approach to the craft of maturation that draws on both science and the traditional art of whiskey-making to build flavour profiles that have taken the whiskey world by storm. It has also redesigned the entire whiskey experience, surrounding each single malt with a story and skilfully crafted accessories that deliver the company’s ‘perfect whiskey experience’.
This approach and skilled knowledge of barrel craft have seen the inaugural release, The Devil’s Keep, awarded the world’s Best Irish Single Malt at the World Whiskies Awards 2022, in addition to more than 20 further top accolades. The business has also been recognised for its design prowess; in 2021, The Brollach won a Master Medal for Design from The Spirits Business Awards and The Devil’s Keep became the first whiskey to win Gold at the prestigious A’Design Awards, while The Taoscán became the second in 2022. In the same year, The Emerald Isle won an exceptional Platinum A’Design Award with a perfect score, making it the #1 luxury design of the year.
While The Devil’s Keep sold out in record time in 2021, The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. recently released an extremely limited allocation reserved for Selfridges. Very few remain and this will be the last opportunity to purchase this ultra-rare single malt so buyers are advised to visit the store early in December to be in with a chance of securing one of the last bottles.
The company’s latest ultra-rare single malt, The Aodh will also be available. This trailblazing whiskey is a collaboration with jeweller to the stars, MJ Jones, and features a bespoke ring – one of just 88 – in the obsidian closure of the whiskey. Presented in a bottle and stand that fuse traditional luxury craftsmanship with technological innovation, The Aodh is a never-to-be-repeated Irish whiskey of exceptional rarity. Ownership of The Aodh brings membership of The Craft Circle, an ultra-exclusive Private Members’ Club with a raft of bespoke benefits that have included a three-day yacht party, circuit-side, for the Monaco Grand Prix and a two-day golf tournament with world renowned Michelin-starred and celebrity chefs at the legendary Old Head Golf Links.
In addition to the award-winning whiskeys, the company has created a number of limited-edition Christmas gifts, including gift boxes, obsidian whiskey stones, and cigar cutters. The coveted glasses will also be available to purchase for the very first time. These scientifically designed glasses remove the ethanol vapours that would otherwise hinder the full appreciation of the whiskey’s flavour and have won acclaim for the elevated tasting experience they offer. The glasses are included in the ‘experience boxes’ of the ultra-rare single malts but have never previously been available for sale individually.
Along with picking up thoughtful and luxurious gifts for others, visitors to The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. in Selfridges’ Wonder Room will be able to experience the luxury of the single malts and the passion of the company for themselves. Created by the designer responsible for every one of the company’s award-winning designs, Tiago Russo, the store has been conceived with the same attention to detail that is poured into the products. Through its gallery-like design and the use of the same materials that can be found in the whiskey’s experience boxes, the store will deliver the same immersive experience as the whiskeys. Whether seated at the elegant bar, chatting with the team or invited into the VIP tasting room, The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. will bring the immersive and considered beauty that define the designs of the award-winning products.
The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. launched in Selfridges London’s Wonder Room on 5th December 2022.
About The Craft Irish Whiskey Co.
The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. is on a mission to restore Ireland’s reputation for crafting the finest whiskeys in the world, elevating its potential as a luxury product. Formed in 2018 by Irish entrepreneur Jay Bradley, The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. was born from a desire to return premium Irish whiskey to the heights it once enjoyed. To achieve such a goal has taken a complete reimagining of the craft; honouring centuries of tradition but questioning convention and adding scientific understanding to reinvent the maturation of the whiskey. No expense is spared, no corners are cut.
In 2021, The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. became the most highly awarded new company of the year amassing a total of 17 awards across both Taste and Design for four of its ultra-rare whiskey releases. In 2022, the company continued this award-winning streak, adding the world’s Best Irish Single Malt at the World Whiskies Awards for The Devil’s Keep, and a perfect score to achieve Platinum at the A’Design Awards for The Emerald Isle. The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. is the exclusive Michelin Plaque Distribution Partner for The Michelin Guide Star Revelation Great Britain and Ireland 2022.
Michelin UK venue partners include: Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, The Waterside Inn, Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, Grantley Hall, City Social, Kitchen Table and Frog by Adam Handling. Other partner venues include Nobu Hotel Portman Square, Park Row, Adam Handling’s Ugly Butterfly and The Ned.
For more information visit www.craftirishwhiskey.com
