Waterford Ballybannon Peated

Score: 68

Waterford Ballybannon Peated is a bold and distinctive Irish single malt that revives a long-lost tradition of peated whiskey made with Irish peat. Bottled at 50 percent and peated to 47 ppm, it’s crafted from barley grown at Ballybannon Farm in County Carlow and smoked using peat from Ballyteague. The nose is earthy and rustic, with notes of wood smoke, wet grass, and stewed fruit. On the palate, it delivers sweet grassy peat, ash, and a touch of floral spice, with hints of Turkish delight and orchard fruit adding complexity. The finish is medium length, with cold ash, dry spice, and lingering smoke. This is unmistakably Irish, with a funky, farmyard edge that feels more Campbeltown than coastal. For club members curious about terroir and smoke, Ballybannon is a fascinating pour. It’s young, raw, and full of character, offering a glimpse into what Irish whiskey might have tasted like generations ago.