Limited to 30,000 Bottles

Baile an fhasaigh, the ‘place of the lush grass’, is surely a fitting place to grow barley. The Shees clan settled here to the west of the Nore river in the 15th century. Defined by a geology of limestone and sandstone, Sheestown is a rolling, lowland terroir of well-drained loamy soil with outcrops of gravel and drier hilltops. Philip O’Brien has farmed here for half a century, while his daughter, Maura, works with us at the distillery.

Sheestown takes its name from the Shees, a family from Kerry who settled in Kilkenny and became loyal supporters of the House of Butler, earls of Ormonde, during the 15th century. Sir Richard Shee was deputy to the Lord Treasurer of Ireland during Queen Elizabeths reign but his descendant, Marcus Shee, was outlawed as a Jacobite in 1691 and fled to France. One of Marcus Shees descendants was the charismatic Duke of Feltre, who served as Napoleon Bonapartes Minister of War.

“Weve got many other Waterfords yet to try, and we cant wait.” – Serge, Whisky Fun

Head Distiller’s Observations

Appearance:Golden with oils that grip the glass like its life depended on it.

Nose:Malty, honey, fruit cake, pears, sherry trifle, cookie dough, a summer hay note, orange peel and an earthy note.

Taste:Spices and clove that gently warms then dries; blood oranges, honeycomb, barley sugar and ginger.

Finish:Long with a gentle spice and citrus that tingles.