JJ Corry was a tea and spirit merchant based in the port town of Kilrush in Co. Clare in the late 19th century. In 2015, following a career in the drinks industry with Diageo, Pernod Ricard and Moet Hennessey, Louise McGuane set up the Chapel Gate Irish Whiskey Company on her family farm in Kilrush's neighbouring village of Cooraclare.
A dunnage style, bonded warehouse now sits on the farm as Louise brings back the near-lost art of whiskey bonding. Louise sources mature spirit, new spirit, the finest casks and brings them to Clare to mature, before blending and bottling unique whiskey expressions.
The Banner County Blend is an award winning Irish Blended whiskey and EXCLUSIVELY available in County Clare! It's a celebration of Clare, or as it's known around here, "The Banner County". It showcases the Clare GAA's saffron and blue colours - "Hon the Banner" is the historic battle cry of the County supporters. This blend includes sourced mature stock as well as the first whiskey matured in the J.J. Corry library of whiskey flavours on the McGuane farm in Cooraclare. Bottled in small batches and blended in house, it's natural colour, non-chill filtered and bottled at 46% abv. This delicate and sweet expression is full of citrus and vanilla notes with nutmeg clove and honey. Perfect with seafood, by itself, or as an after dinner treat with chocolate this versatile whiskey is a true taste of Cooraclare.