Date: Wednesday, 12th August 2026 @ 7.30pm
Venue: Lysses House Hotel, 51 High Street, Fareham, PO16 7BQ
with Patrick (Paddy) Gilley, Clonakilty’s Sales Manager-Global
Immerse yourself in the rugged charm of West Cork with An Introduction to Clonakilty Distillery, an exclusive Irish whiskey tasting arriving at Lysses House Hotel in Fareham on Wednesday, 12th August 2026 at 7.30 pm.
Discover how prime maritime conditions, nine generations of coastal farming heritage, and a passion for innovative cask finishes shape this award-winning Atlantic distillery’s spirits. From their flagship Single Pot Still crafted from estate-grown heritage barley to exceptional expressions finished in premium Port and Double Oak casks, this evening offers Hampshire whiskey enthusiasts a rare opportunity to taste the distinct, ocean-matured character of true craft Irish whiskey.
The Clonakilty Distillery is located in West Cork, on Ireland’s southwest coast, near the Atlantic Ocean. This proximity imparts a unique maritime character to the ageing whiskies.
The distillery was founded by Michael Scully, whose family has farmed the same land for nine consecutive generations. He believed the best Irish whiskey could be improved and set out to produce the finest spirit possible. This process begins with carefully selecting a heritage strain of barley, grown on their farm, where the salty air infuses every grain.
Clonakilty Distillery crafts a wide range of whiskies, including blended, grain, single pot still, and single malt varieties. They are renowned for their innovative cask finishes: they use Port, Ale, Stout, Rivesaltes and Bordeaux wine casks to impart unique flavours. They also produce Minke Gin and Vodka.
Minke Gin and Tonic
Clonakilty Galley Head Irish Whiskey 40%
Clonakilty Galley Head Rhum Cask Irish Whiskey 40%
Clonakilty Double Oak Cask Irish Whiskey 43.6%
Clonakilty Port Cask Irish Whiskey 43.6%
Clonakilty Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey 46%
A great night! We had the absolute pleasure of hosting Paddy from Clonakilty Distillery for our long-anticipated tasting event, and it’s fair to say a fantastic time was had by all who joined us at Lysses House Hotel on the same night as the solar eclipse, 12th August 2026.
Paddy was a perfect host for the night. His warmth, engaging storytelling and infectious enthusiasm made the evening flow seamlessly. Guiding us through the windswept heritage of Clonakilty’s Atlantic coast distillery, Paddy gave us a fascinating look into the meticulous craftsmanship, wood policy, and unique maritime ageing that set these Irish spirits apart.
Whilst the Irish Whiskies were the main attraction, we kicked off proceedings with a gin and tonic made with Clonakilty’s Minke Gin with a garnish of lime and mint. Crafted using local rock samphire harvested from the cliffs near the distillery, the gin was exceptionally well received across the room. Its crisp, bright botanical character and velvety mouthfeel made it a huge hit, proving that Clonakilty’s expertise extends well beyond the cask.
When we turned our attention to the whiskey flight, the quality across the board was remarkable. However, two expressions clearly captured the imagination, and palate, of the room, becoming the undisputed best-sellers of the evening. The Clonakilty Double Oak proved a crowd favourite with its luxurious vanilla sweetness, gentle spice, and smooth finish. Equal praise was showered on the Clonakilty Port Cask Finish, which delighted attendees with its rich dried fruit, delicate berry undertones, and velvety texture. I would add that the Galley Head Whiskies are all too easy to drink, I particularly liked the Rhum Cask.
Just as we thought the lineup couldn’t get any better, Paddy surprised us with an off-menu bonus dram: a pour of their exclusive Cask Strength Moscatel Cask bottling. Bursting with ripe stone fruit, honeyed raisins, and incredible depth—all seamlessly integrated despite the cask-strength punch—it sparked lively conversation right through to the end of the night.
A huge thank you to Paddy for delivering such a generous, informative, and entertaining masterclass, and to everyone who joined us to make the evening so special.
Missed out on the event? You can browse our full range of Clonakilty Irish whiskies and gin online or pop into the shop for a recommendation!
