Newest addition to Clonakilty Distillery spirits family secures prestigious gold medal award
Minke Vodka trumps taste test for smooth and balanced flavour
Print13 October 2021
Celebrations are in order for the team at Clonakilty Distillery as it was recently announced that its Minke Irish Vodka scooped the Gold Award in the Smooth category at The Spirits Business Vodka Masters 2021.
The vodka debut for the popular Cork distillery was launched just a number of months ago and was commended by judges for having a smooth taste, “with a nice creaminess and a good balance” and was also noted by the panel for being “soft with a touch of peppery spice notes.”
Clonakilty Distillery utilises its beautiful natural surroundings to create the perfect environment for a maritime distillery – prime land, pristine water and salt sea air.
The distillery boasts a reputation as one of Ireland’s best producers of award-winning whiskeys and gins, and the team have expressed their delight at receiving this most recent prestigious accolade, describing it as the “first of many” for the latest addition to their growing family of premium spirits.
“As the newest member to Clonakilty Distillery’s portfolio of award-winning spirits, we are absolutely delighted to see Minke Irish Vodka being recognised for its superb quality and signature smoothness,” said Adam Collins, marketing manager at Clonakilty Distillery.
“We pride ourselves on being a producer of premium Irish spirits, and to be acknowledged in such a competitive category is very rewarding and is a credit to the entire team here at the distillery,” he added.
Paul Corbett, head distiller and blender at Clonakilty Distillery also revealed the secrets of success to creating Minke Vodka’s unique and award-winning taste.
“We slow distil a whey-based spirit in our own pot still, through a 10-meter copper coil before it reaches our condenser,” he said. “This added reflux from the coil creates an incredibly pure and clean spirit, while the whey base alcohol delivers a rich and smooth velvety mouthfeel.”
“Unlike most Irish vodkas, which are distilled using a grain-based alcohol, Clonakilty Distillery’s Minke Vodka uses a whey-base spirit, derived from milk which is produced on the ninth-generation family farm located a short distance from the distillery itself.”
“Using whey alcohol as the base spirit delivers a velvety mouthfeel which coats the palate,” Corbett added.
Melita Kiely, editor of The Spirits Business magazine and chair of The Global Spirits Masters paid tribute to the standard of entrants in the vodka category for 2021.
“The standard entered this year was exceptional,” she said. “From nuanced, classic styles, to authentic, well-made flavoured expressions, the vodka category is proving it is packed with quality expressions, diversity of flavour and exceptional value for money.”
To celebrate this prestigious award, Clonakilty Distillery’s Minke Vodka is currently available at a discounted rate of €26 in Supervalu stores nationwide until 13 October (usual RRP €34).
It is currently also available to purchase in Supervalu stores as well as on the online shop: https://clonakiltydistillery.digitickets.ie/products/252099?navItem=286274
To keep up to date with all things Clonakilty Distillery, check out Clonakilty Distillery on Twitter @clondistillery, on Facebook @clonakiltydistillery and on Instagram @clonakiltydistillery For more information, visit https://clonakiltydistillery.ie/
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