Is Waterford a Scotch whisky?

No. Waterford is an emerging Irish whiskey brand founded by Mark Reynier, the legendary figure behind Bruichladdich. It focuses on bringing the concept of 'Terroir' from wine to the whiskey world.

What is Waterford's 'Single Farm Origin'?

Waterford believes barley is the primary source of flavor. They harvest, distill, and bottle barley from different farms separately, allowing drinkers to taste the subtle influence of different soils and microclimates on the barley and final whiskey.

What is the TÉIREOIR CODE on the back of Waterford bottles?

It is proof of Waterford's commitment to total transparency. By entering the code on their website, you can view the bottle's full biography, including farm maps, harvest dates, fermentation times, cask composition, and even bottling sounds.

What is the flavor profile of Waterford whiskey?

Because it emphasizes the barley itself, Waterford whiskey typically features intense malt aromas, biscuit notes, spices, and a rich, oily texture. It is non-chill filtered and contains no caramel coloring for a natural flavor.

Collection: Waterford

Waterford: A Whiskey Revolution of 'Barley Terroir'

Waterford is not just another Irish whiskey distillery; it is a massive experimental project validating the concept of 'Terroir'. Founded by former Bruichladdich legend Mark Reynier, Waterford challenges traditional industry views, insisting that 'barley is not just a source of starch, but the root of flavor'. By harvesting and distilling barley from different Irish farms separately, Waterford has successfully proven that soil, microclimate, and farming methods bring distinct flavor profiles to whiskey.

▼ Click to read more: Mark Reynier's Vision, Single Farm Origin, and Total Transparency

Mark Reynier & The Renaissance: From Islay to Ireland

To understand Waterford, one must know the soul behind it—Mark Reynier. He was instrumental in the revival of the Bruichladdich distillery on Islay, Scotland. After leaving Islay, he brought an even more radical philosophy to Ireland, transforming a former Guinness brewery owned by Diageo into the Waterford Distillery in 2015.

Mark believes the modern whiskey industry relies too heavily on oak barrels for flavor while neglecting the raw ingredients. His goal is to fully transplant the wine industry's 'terroir' concept into whiskey. Want to learn more about whiskey brand legends? Read our feature: Whisky Brands You Need to Know! A Comprehensive Guide to Scotch and Japanese Whisky.

Barley Forward: The Philosophy of Ingredients

At Waterford, barley is the protagonist and oak is the supporting actor. The distillery works with over 70 farmers across southern Ireland, where farms are situated on diverse soil types such as limestone, sandstone, and volcanic soil within varying microclimates.

1. Single Farm Origin

This is the most iconic series from Waterford. Each batch is crafted using barley harvested from only a 'Single Farm'. From harvesting, malting, and mashing to distillation, the process is handled independently without mixing. This allows enthusiasts to compare: under the same production process, whiskey from an inland clay farm may exhibit rich spice notes, while that from a coastal sandy farm might show fresh saltiness and fruitiness. This is an unprecedented experiment in whiskey history.

2. The Cathedral of Barley

To preserve the original flavor of barley, Waterford employs ultra-high specification processes:

Ultra-Long Fermentation: Fermentation lasts over 120 hours (compared to the usual 48-60 hours), allowing yeast to produce a richer array of secondary flavor metabolites.
Slow Distillation: Using high-quality equipment originally for brewing, combined with a slow distillation speed to extract the purest heart of the spirit rich in cereal characteristics.
Premium Oak Casks: Despite the focus on barley, Waterford is generous with wood. They use a combination of First-fill American Bourbon, Virgin American Oak, Premium French Wine casks (such as Margaux and Lafite), and Vin de Naturel (VDN) casks to complement rather than mask the barley's character.

Total Transparency: The Ultimate Téireoir Code

Waterford believes transparency is the foundation of trust. Behind every bottle of whiskey is a unique Téireoir Code. Consumers can enter this code on the official website to access every detail: from farm maps and farmer names to soil composition, fermentation time, distillation dates, cask composition ratios, and even the ambient sounds during bottling. This level of transparency sets a benchmark in the industry.

Waterford Series Guide

Beyond Single Farm Origin, Waterford offers other stunning series showcasing the endless possibilities of Irish whiskey:

The Cuvée — A Symphony of Terroir

If Single Farm is a solo performance, then The Cuvée is a symphony. Mark Reynier drew inspiration from top Bordeaux estates, vatting single malts from 25 different farms. This expression represents Waterford's peak complexity and balance, serving as the brand's flagship.

Arcadian Barley — Seeking Lost Flavors

This series focuses on non-mainstream barley varieties and farming methods.

Organic: Uses the first certified organic barley in Ireland.
Biodynamic: Farming according to lunar cycles for the most extreme natural agriculture.
Heritage: Reviving 19th-century or older wild barley varieties like 'Hunter' to rediscover original flavors lost in modern barley.

Micro Cuvée — Experimental Micro-batches

Waterford occasionally releases extremely limited Micro Cuvées, exploring unique cask combinations or special concepts, highly sought after by collectors.

Alcohol Please invites you to experience the renaissance of Irish whiskey. Waterford is more than a spirit; it is the essence of the Irish land. Want to know more about whiskey definitions? Read Is it 'Whisky' or 'Whiskey'?. Explore more choices from the Emerald Isle in our Irish Whiskey Section.