Kinsale Spirit Company makes history as Rare Irish Malt Whiskey sells on the NFT platform for $100,000

press release 

Kinsale Spirit Company makes history as

Rare Irish Malt Whiskey sells on the NFT platform for $100,000

 

Dare to do! - Ernest Cantillon

Kinsale Spirit Co. bring some technological innovation to the whiskey world,

a space synonymous with tradition

 

 

Last week, Kinsale Spirit Company went to market with the first ever Whiskey Cask represented by an NFT (A non-fungible token) and successfully auctioned on OpenSea crypto marketplace, selling for an impressive $100,000 (over €83,000).

 

The rare cask is one of the few that remain from Cooley’s original distillery in Co. Louth. Described by the sellers as a rare piece of history, the whiskey, Pallet No. 14730, is from 2001 and resides in an ex-bourbon barrel. 

 

The opportunity was presented to a private group of early investors in crypto who are in Kinsale Spirit Company's network. The investment case for whiskey, particularly casks, is similar to Bitcoin in that both are seen as a store of value and are both asset classes that inflation fearing investors are increasingly flocking to in order to protect their purchasing power.

 

NFTs allow crypto savvy investors who may be interested in gaining exposure to whiskey, or any physical good for that matter, to do so without the frictions and costs associated with traditional financial infrastructure. This is a very compelling value proposition, especially to large crypto holders. Two bidders meated it out for the cask, which eventually sold for $100k. The buyer wishes to remain anonymous. 

 

Kinsale Spirit Company was aiming to raise a minimum €60,000 from the auction of the cask, to assist in establishing their new distillery near Summercove, Kinsale, and the auction has surpassed all expectations.

 

Co-Director of Kinsale Spirit Company, Colin Ross, says: “From the fundraising perspective, I think this is a novel (/world first) methodology by which unique and rare whiskeys can be offered to a whole swathe of interested and liquid investors who want to see long-term value and collectability, while giving Kinsale Spirit Company increased resources to action our significant plans to build a distillery in Kinsale and export multiple brands on a global scale.”

 

Business partner Ernest Cantillon added “Our own whiskey, Red Earl, is currently featuring in an international trade expo in Hainan, China, and there has been a lot of interest in us generated by the NFT auction.

We are delighted to be bring some technological innovation to the whiskey world, a space synonymous with tradition. To be the first to do this was our primary  goal - it’s hard to stand out as a relative new comer - but to exceed our sale target is a real bonus. Our plans for our own distillery in Kinsale are progressing quickly and this windfall will certainly help.”

 

 

Kinsale Spirit Company plans on integrating these digital auctions into their offering combining digital and physical. While opening up new channels of whiskey aficionados and avid NFT collectors and crypto currency enthusiasts.  

 

This is a first ever auction of a whiskey cask in this way and an opportunity to be involved in the development of the on-going success story that is Kinsale Spirit Company.

 

 

MILESTONE FOR KINSALE GIN

press release

 MILESTONE FOR KINSALE GIN

 

 

Ernest Cantillon from Kinsale Spirit Company, shopper Claire McLaughlin from Blackrock, and Michael Creedon of Bradley’s Specialist Off-Licence and Foodstore, North Main Street, Cork, celebrated a major milestone for Kinsale Gin as Claire was the purchaser of the 100,000th bottle, providentially in the first store that stocked the drink when it hit the shelves in 2016.

 

Claire said: 'I am thrilled to be the person who bought the 100,000th bottle. I have loved Kinsale Gin from the very start so it was such a lovely surprise to be part of this monumental moment for the brand, and of course Bradley's too!'

 

As a thank you, Kinsale Spirit Co., are treating Claire to a weekend away, in Kinsale, where she will be spoiled with some of the things that makes Kinsale so special to them – a meal from Fishy Fishy, chocolates from Koko’s, and of course, the small batch premium Kinsale Gin.

 

Speaking about this outstanding achievement, Michael Creedon of Bradley’s said “we are delighted to have sold the 100,000^th bottle of this fine drink, back here where its story all began. In 2016 we put the first 100 bottles of Kinsale Gin on shelf, and it sold out within a week. It’s important to us to stock the very best quality produce from the Cork region – a gin distilled using botanicals hand-picked around Kinsale? You can’t beat it.”

 

Publican and entrepreneur Ernest Cantillon adds “I’m sure some of the other brands sell a lot higher quantities, but for us this was a very big deal. Our thanks to Michael, Claire, and to all of our customers for the support in getting us here.”

 

Kinsale Spirit Company came about when Kinsale native and publican, Tom O’Riordan realised that the town of Kinsale, known for its excellent food and drink, felt a locally produced spirit product would both benefit from, and help, this international reputation. He also noticed the emergence of gin in the craft spirit category and along with his sister Clodagh, and friends and fellow publicans, Ernest and Colin Ross, began the journey that resulted in Kinsale Gin. The first batch was released in 2016, 100 bottles and only for sale in Bradley's Off-licence. It sold out in a week, encouraging the Kinsale team to press on with the venture. 

 

The move into Whiskey production was a natural progression and they launched Red Earl Whiskey in April, 2020. Kinsale Spirit Co., look to be producing 300,000 bottles per annum, producing Irish Whiskey, Gin, and other spirits in time. 

 

Kinsale’s Red Earl is already being exported to several countries, including strong sales in the US and China. Work is under way for the delivery of two more whiskeys later this year: Great Earl Single Grain Irish Whiskey named in honour of Hugh, The Great O’Neill, and Spanish Earl Single Malt Irish Whiskey, in honour of Juan del Agula, representative of the King of Spain who fought alongside the Irish.

 

Kinsale Spirit Company also made history this week as they went to market with the first ever Whiskey Cask represented by an NFT (A non-fungible token) and auctioned on the NFT marketplace OpenSea. The 200-litre cask of Rare Irish Malt Whiskey, is live for auction until Friday, April 30th https://opensea.io/collection/rare-aged-irish-malt-whiskey-casks

 

The Ciù Ciù Casella! More on beers, wines and spirits in Cheers #12

More on beers, wines and spirits in Cheers #12 

Wines direct offer you 

The Ciù Ciù Casella!

Ciù Ciù and Wines Direct have had a close relationship for over ten years. Ciù Ciù's wines have donned the tables of many significant milestone gatherings and family weddings. In celebration, we have put together something very memorable to honour our lasting partnership. You will be delighted to hear that this exceptional offer includes three wines exclusive just to the Ciù Ciù case and three wines that have proved to be permanent staff and customer favourites. Read more here.

****COMPETITION TIME**** At Blacks Brewery. To celebrate summer, Blacks Brewery (@blacksbrewery ) have teamed up with

@bradleys_offlic

to offer you the chance to win a case of KPA cans a funky btl opener and 2 tasting glasses. TO WIN just go to @blacksbrewery on Twitter to like, retweet and comment with how many cans are in the window display in the photo below.

Fresh Beer from the White Hag

Fresh out of the tank this week and first time ever on the store is The Fleadh, Red IPA and also the Róc Helles lager - you can order here, and it will ship tomorrow morning! More info here

ROSÉ FROM AUSTRIA

Rosé wine is winning friends and becoming increasingly popular, thanks to its freshness, fragrantly spicy aromas and appealing colour. It has long since shed the reputation of being “neither fish nor flesh”. Austria offers a wide range of rosé a light, pink-coloured wine made from black grapes; some are particularly delicate, while others can be racy or powerful – a few of them even with protected designation of origin! Read more here.

Kinsale Spirit Launch New Whiskey

Kinsale Spirit have launched their first whiskey; details here

press release

NEW IRISH WHISKEY ‘RED EARL’ LAUNCHED

The first in Kinsale Spirit Company’s ‘Battle of Kinsale’ series of Whiskeys

The men behind the Earl: Colin Ross, Tom O’Riordan, and Ernest Cantillon 

Following the fight for freedom from the Crown at The Battle of Kinsale, 1601, seeking aid from allies in Spain, Red Hugh O’Donnell, Earl of Tyrconnell, was murdered by an Anglo-Irish double agent and buried near Rioja. Red Earl Irish Whiskey, a tribute to his story, is first aged in bourbon, then sherry, and finally matured in Rioja casks. Triple-casking delivers roundness of flavour, lengthy finish, and an exceptional aroma.

Red Earl displays vibrant fruity notes on both the nose and palate. Aroma wise, expect subtle hints of cherry, strawberry, rose petal, and citrus, layered on top of marzipan, almond and oak notes. The taste delivers satisfying blends of caramel, vanilla and toasted almonds, complimented by delightful notes of cinnamon and clove, typical of spicy riojas.

This impeccable premium Irish whiskey has a medium-bodied mouthfeel that ends in a long, warm, and moreish finish. It’s distinctive in that it is one of the first Irish whiskeys to use Rioja casks in the maturing process, which gives the liquid a wonderful colour, reminiscent of a fine Rose wine, and its unique taste profile.

Vivacious and passionate, Red Earl is to be enjoyed and savoured with good Irish “craic”, on its own, or with ice, or perhaps as part of a spritzer.

Red Earl premium Irish Whiskey is launched by Cork’s Kinsale Spirit Company - co-founded by Ernest Cantillon, Colin Ross, and Tom O’Riordan - all current or ex-publicans who have spent their lifetimes serving drink and building extensive experience in the hospitality and beverage sectors.

Other drinks in their portfolio include the popular small batch, premium Kinsale Gin. Red Earl is the first of the company’s ‘Battle of Kinsale’ series of whiskeys. The company is currently building a new distillery in Kinsale, Co. Cork, due to open in 2021, so we can expect much more to come from this Cork company.

Speaking about his new venture, publican and entrepreneur Ernest Cantillon says: “We were nervous about launching a new product during such an uncertain period, but to be honest it has hit the ground running. Local support has been phenomenal, and we have our first export order, several thousand bottles, heading to China next week.”

Red Earl Whiskey is available to purchase at Bradleys, North Main Street, Cork, 1601 in Kinsale, Co. Cork, irishmalts.com, erinhampers.com, and via their own website www.kinsalespirit.com, with new outlets being added each day.