Velvet Cap is a small batch blend of malt and grain whiskies sourced from some of Ireland’s finest distilleries. After blending, we rest the whiskey in a selection of bourbon, port and stouted rye casks to let the flavours marry.
This whiskey takes its name from the velvet caps traditionally worn in point-to-point horse racing. This popular sport dates from 1752 when riders raced over fence and ditch between two points: St John’s Church Buttevant to St Mary’s Church Doneraile in Co Cork–from one steeple to another, hence the term steeplechase.
Process
In the days before bourbon casks were common in Ireland, whiskey bonders used whatever barrels they had to hand to mature their stock.
In this part of the world, stout and port were favourites, so John Wilcox, Head Distiller, first blended the whiskey before letting the flavours marry in seasoned casks for up to six months.