The Irish Whiskey Awards, recognized as the most comprehensive evaluation of Irish whiskeys globally, recently announced their winners. In a standout moment, Dunville’s 21 YO Palo Cortado Single Malt was named The Whiskey of the Year. This year’s awards saw 43 whiskies receiving gold medals, with 15 emerging as category leaders.

Dunville’s brand has a storied past, once being the best-selling Irish whiskey in America during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Although the distillery ceased operations in 1936 and the brand went dormant for 80 years, it was revived by the Echlinville Distillery in 2012 and has since garnered numerous accolades.

The Dunville’s 21 YO Palo Cortado Single Malt is well-respected in international spirit competitions, previously being named Best Irish Single Malt at the 2023 World Whisky Awards and earning the IWA’s Whiskey of the Year title in 2022.

Tasting notes highlight its aromatic profile, including light stone fruit and overripe plum notes, with a palate rich in dark chocolate, figs, and orange marmalade. It finishes long and sweet, with subtleties of flavored pipe tobacco, seasoned oak, and various wood spices like cinnamon and nutmeg.

In category wins, Dunville’s PX 10 YO Single Malt was awarded in the Irish Single Malt 11 Years and Younger/Over 60 Euros division. Other gold medalists included Keeper’s Heart 10 YO and Two Stacks x Bankers Bar 7 YO Single Malt PX Sherry Finish.

For Irish Single Malt 11 Years and Younger/Under 60 Euros, Egan’s Fortitude took the top spot, with Egan’s Endeavour also winning a gold medal. The Busker Small Batch Single Malt also entered the rankings as a gold medalist.

Beyond Dunville’s offerings, winners included McConnell’s Sherry Cask in the Irish Blended Whiskey/Age Statement category, and Dunville’s 11 YO Waterford Whiskey Society Exclusive reigned in the Irish Single Cask 11 Years and Younger category. Unfortunately, the latter is not available outside of Ireland.

Dunville’s also triumphed with Dunville’s 23 YO Single Cask 1205 Palo Cortado in the Irish Single Cask 12 Years and Older category. Other recipients included Hinch 5 YO Madeira Cask for the Irish Blended Whiskey Limited Release category and Dunville’s Three Crowns Sherry, which was the top pick among Irish Blended Whiskey No Age Statement/Under 60 Euros.

The 2024 Irish Whiskey Awards highlighted the burgeoning Irish whiskey scene, particularly the success of Northern Ireland distilleries in the single malt realm. With 43 operational distilleries and many more in planning, the market has expanded dramatically, boasting an export volume exceeding one billion euros annually.

If you appreciate Irish whiskey, this year’s awards present a wealth of new options waiting to be explored, showcasing the exciting evolution within this flavorful category.