AN INTRODUCTION TO J.J. CORRY
Nestled in the lush, rolling countryside of Cooraclare, Co. Clare, Ireland, J.J. Corry Irish Whiskey is a beacon of innovation and tradition in the world of Irish whiskey. Founded by Louise McGuane, J.J. Corry brings the centuries-old art of whiskey bonding into the modern age. Whiskey bonding - the practice of sourcing, maturing, and blending whiskey to create unique expressions - was once the cornerstone of Irish whiskey production. However, this tradition nearly disappeared in the mid-20th century, leaving a void in the industry.
Louise McGuane set out to change that. Inspired by the pioneering spirit of her neighbour and namesake, J.J. Corry - a 19th-century whiskey bonder - she established Ireland’s first modern whiskey bonding house in over a century. With an uncompromising commitment to quality and creativity, J.J. Corry collaborates with distillers across Ireland to source exceptional new-make spirit, which is then carefully aged and blended in their purpose-built 'Warehouse of Flavours.'
Set on her family’s farm, this 'Warehouse of Flavours' is a sensory playground, where each cask is labelled not with numbers but with evocative tasting notes: “smoky bacon,” “green apple,” “spicy,” “hazelnut,” and even “pure joy.” (And yes, we can confirm - this cask absolutely lives up to its name!) These casks are more than storage; they’re ingredients - chosen and blended to craft small-batch whiskeys bursting with character. This innovative, flavour-first approach to blending is unlike anything we’ve encountered - and trust us, we’ve explored a lot of warehouses around the world.
At J.J. Corry, every whiskey tells a story. Each blend showcases the diverse spectrum of Irish whiskey styles - Pot Still, Single Malt, and Grain - and incorporates unique cask finishes that elevate each cask to something truly extraordinary. From ex-bourbon barrels to sherry and rare fortified wine casks (we even spied an ex-Amaro cask in there), her meticulous approach to maturation creates whiskeys that are rich in character, flavour, and history.
Other J.J. Corry expressions we enjoy
A classic blend of malt and grain Irish whiskey, ‘The Gael’ is the perfect marriage of Irish whiskey flavours. Matured in both sherry & Bourbon casks, ‘The Gael’ is an everyday crowd-pleaser of a whiskey - rich and fruity with notes of baked apples, ripe peaches, and a really delicious orange flower + vanilla note.
Full of vanilla, caramel, toffee crisp and fresh green apple notes, ‘The Hanson’ is a Blended Grain Irish Whiskey with a lively, fresh character! This has all the signature hallmarks of a great Bourbon cask whiskey, delicious straight or with a drop of water - we also love it in a Penicillin!
