In October 2021 Waterford distillery introduced Biodynamic Luna 1.1. That is the world’s first whisky constituted of biodynamic barley, based mostly on a quite radical philosophy that’s extra widespread in winemaking.
Three Irish farmers develop their barley in keeping with esoteric ideas derived from a collection of lectures by Rudolf Steiner. Nonetheless, not everybody accepts the advantages of those ideas. Some are fairly controversial, like burying manure-packed cow horns to ‘ferment’ underground. Finally the concept is to supply a chemical-free, wholesome soil in tune with the moon, the seasons and nature typically. Briefly, Luna is an über-organic whisky so to talk.
This Biodynamic Luna 1.1 comes from a mix of first-fill US oak, virgin US oak, French oak and their trademark VDN casks. It’s simply over 3 years and a couple of month of age.
Waterford Luna 1.1 Biodynamic (50%, OB 2021, 21.000 btl.)
Nostril: begins on porridge and plain barley, shifting in the direction of lemony notes shortly. There are hints of salty air and white flowers too, with a slight sourness of yoghurt within the background. Unripe pears. Then hints of genever in addition to a light-weight metallic contact. A rye-like spiciness too.
Mouth: fairly punchy, with this rye sharpness once more, mingling with dough, white pepper, lime and unripe pear. Mid-palate it exhibits a sure bitterness and zesty notes, with an nearly tannic mouth-coating sensation. Then delicate salty touches once more. Very delicate tequila-like funk as properly.
End: fairly lengthy, now the (virgin) oak spice comes out extra, with inexperienced fruits, lemon peel and a touch of clove.
It is a younger and characterful whisky. The truth is slightly too younger, exhibiting a really compact profile with a inexperienced and uncooked edge. Whereas not my private favorite, Waterford positively discovered a nook to itself within the whisky world and delivers attention-grabbing drams. Now accessible from The Whisky Trade and TyndrumWhisky amongst others.
