Midleton Dair Ghaelach Kylebeg Wood
Midleton Dair Ghaelach Kylebeg Wood is a single pot still Irish whiskey from the Midleton Distillery in County Cork, finished for two years in virgin Irish oak hogsheads — each coopered from a single oak tree grown in Kylebeg Wood on the Ballykilcavan Estate in County Laois. "Dair Ghaelach" means "Irish Oak" in Irish. The Kylebeg Wood release is the first Irish whiskey matured in Irish oak from County Laois, bottled at cask strength (approximately 55–56% ABV depending on the tree). Order online from Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- ABV: cask strength — approx. 55.4–56.1% depending on the individual tree
- Size: 700mL official bottling (Del Mesa tags 750mL — verify at apply)
- Style: single pot still Irish whiskey, aged 15–28 years, finished 2 years in virgin Irish oak
- Oak: 42 casks, lightly toasted, each from one Kylebeg Wood tree (County Laois)
- Distillery: Midleton, County Cork, Ireland — part of the Virgin Irish Oak Collection
Irish Whiskey Meets Irish Oak
For a whiskey category defined by ex-bourbon and sherry casks, Dair Ghaelach is the outlier: 15-to-28-year-old single pot still whiskeys, initially matured in American oak, finished in hogsheads coopered in Spain from Irish oak that was quarter-sawn at Maderbar Sawmills, stave-dried 15 months at the Antonio Paez Lobato cooperage in Jerez, then shipped to Midleton. The result is a whiskey that tastes unmistakably of Ireland — pot still spice wrapped in rich, tannic Irish oak. See more Irish whiskey and the Midleton range.
Tasting Notes
Woodland spices, cinnamon, nutmeg, and aromatic oils over earthy pot still notes, nectarine, white pepper, dairy fudge, and vanilla. The palate turns rich and tannic — pot still spice, caramel, stewed apple, orange peel, dark chocolate, and honeycomb — with a long, lingering Irish oak finish (per the distillery).
How to Enjoy
Neat in a nosing glass, with water added drop by drop — at cask strength it opens dramatically. This is a special-occasion pour; give it time in the glass.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "Dair Ghaelach" mean?
It is Irish for "Irish Oak" — the series matures Midleton single pot still whiskeys in virgin oak grown in Ireland rather than imported casks.
What is the ABV of Kylebeg Wood?
It is bottled at cask strength, which varies by the individual tree the casks came from — approximately 55.4% to 56.1% across the release.
Where is Kylebeg Wood?
Kylebeg Wood is on the Ballykilcavan Estate near Stradbally in County Laois, Ireland — this is the first Irish whiskey matured in oak from County Laois.
An Irish oak landmark — order Midleton Dair Ghaelach Kylebeg Wood online from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.