The Legendary Silkie is where Sliabh Liag Distillers began, and it is still the clearest statement of what they are trying to do in Donegal. The county had no legal distillery for roughly 175 years, and while founder James Doherty was building one in Carrick, he set out to make whiskey that tasted like the place anyway. That meant sourcing carefully from established Irish distilleries and blending to a house recipe rather than waiting a decade for his own spirit to come of age. The blend brings together double distilled and triple distilled single malts with soft grain whiskey, plus a hint of peated malt threaded through the middle. That last part is the signal of intent. Peated Irish whiskey is rare, and Donegal's pre prohibition style was known for exactly that warming, earthy character, so even at this gentle level the smoke is a deliberate nod to what the region used to make. It is hand bottled at 46 percent alcohol by volume and left non chill filtered, which is unusual at this end of the market and matters more than it sounds: the higher strength and the retained oils give it a soft, buttery mouthfeel that lighter Irish blends generally lack. The name comes from the selkies of Donegal folklore, shape shifting seals said to come ashore in the blue green water beneath the Sliabh Liag cliffs. In the glass it is straw gold, leading with crisp green apple that opens into honey and butter, then ripe red fruit, gentle smoke and an oaky sweetness. Neat, over ice, or in the house serve, the Silkie Rua, with good ginger ale and an orange peel.
ABV / Proof
| ABV |
46% |
| Proof |
92 |
| Size |
700ml |
| Country |
Ireland |
| Region |
County Donegal |
| Producer |
Sliabh Liag Distillers, Carrick, County Donegal |
| Category |
Blended Irish Whiskey |
| Expression |
The Legendary Silkie |
| Age |
No Age Statement |
| Composition |
Double distilled and triple distilled single malts, soft grain whiskey, and a hint of peated malt |
| Filtration |
Non chill filtered |
| Production |
Hand bottled at Carrick, County Donegal |
| Position |
First release from Sliabh Liag Distillers; entry expression of the Silkie range |
Tasting Notes
Color: Straw gold with hints of amber.
Nose: Fresh and malty, brisk green apple up front, opening into honey and a gentle buttery richness.
Palate: Soft and rounded in texture. Crisp orchard fruit leads, then ripe red fruits, a light drift of smoke and an oaky sweetness.
Finish: Long and lingering, closing on gently warming spice.
FAQ
Q: Is it smoky?
A: Only lightly. The blend carries a hint of peated malt, which reads as a gentle wisp of smoke rather than a dominant feature. The Dark and Midnight expressions carry considerably more.
Q: Does Sliabh Liag distil it?
A: No. This is the distillery's first release, blended from whiskeys sourced from established Irish distilleries while their own Donegal distillery was under construction. It is hand bottled at Carrick, County Donegal.
Q: Why 46 percent rather than the usual 40?
A: The higher strength combined with no chill filtration preserves the soft, buttery mouthfeel that defines the Silkie house style.
Q: How does it compare to the other Silkies?
A: This is the entry expression and the lightest on smoke. Dark Silkie is peated and sherry led, Red Silkie is finished in Spanish red wine casks, and Midnight Silkie is the smokiest and is built from single malts alone.
Q: What is the Silkie Rua?
A: The house serve. Silkie over ice with premium ginger ale, garnished with orange peel.
Q: Where can I buy The Legendary Silkie online?
A: Available here at Liquor On Broadway while stock lasts, with fast insured shipping nationwide.
