Waterford is the latest venture of Mark Reynier, the former CEO of Bruichladdich in Islay.
All of Waterford's whiskies are made using 100% malted barley and are natural and non-chill filtered with a slow fermentation and unhurried distillation to extract maximum flavours.
The maturation takes place half a kilometre from the sea and uses premium quality French and American casks; a combination of first-fill and new oak barrels.
Lakefield 1.1 is the first edition made using barley grown at the Lakefield Farm, east of Durrow, Co. Laois.
The barley here is derived from limestone and sandstone soils, these well-drained, deep loam soils consistently produce exceptional barley quality. Bottled at 50% ABV colouring free and without chill-filtration.
Nose: Warm custard, bread baking, red apple, milk chocolate, dried flowers, butter cream, pine needles. It reminds me of waiting to eat a rhubarb & apple tart fresh from the oven with custard & cream to hand.
Palate: A gentle clove to start that leads into proving bread & malted biscuits, in the middle a pepperiness that travels back my tongue then honeydew melon & pears.
Finish: Light gold with oils that grip & legs that slowly meander down the glass.
