Waterford Heritage: Goldthorpe 1.1

Profile: The Waterford Heritage: Goldthorpe 1.1 at a glance

• “Absolutely delightful”: Waterford revives a grain variety that is over 200 years old
• Only 6,500 bottles worldwide.
• Serge Valentin rates this single malt on whiskyfun.com with 90 points

Portrait: What makes Waterford Heritage: Goldthorpe 1.1 special

The Heritage Series is Waterford's collection of exceptional bottlings. These whiskies are created in cooperation with unconventional farmers and pioneers of their craft who place taste above profit constraints. Or by reverting to traditional methods and ingredients. For example the Heritage: Goldthorpe 1.1.

Like its predecessor, the Heritage: Hunter 1.1, it was distilled from a revived grain variety and from Taster legend Serge Valentin on whiskyfun.com honored with 90 points.

Far away from any very similar tasting modern grain bred for yield, this unique single malt captures the taste of a bygone era .Goldthorpe goes back even further into the past than Hunter.

Discovered in Yorkshire in 1889, the high-quality variety was tested in extensive field trials in Ireland at the beginning of the 20th century before becoming popular fell victim. In collaboration with the Irish Ministry of Agriculture and Waterford's malthouse, the heritage grain was laboriously and expensively bred from a small packet of seeds over several years until the yield was sufficient to be distilled.

162 Casks were finally able be filled with this real rarity, bottled in only 6,500 bottles worldwide.

Age: 3 years, 7 months, 5 days
Distilled: July & August 2020
Bottled: July 2024

The Cask types used:

40% 1st-fill American Oak Casks
24% Virgin American Oak Casks
18% Premium French Oak Casks (Château Haut-Brion)
18% Vin Doux Naturel Casks (Moscatel & Port)

Tasting Notes: This is how the Waterford Heritage Goldthorpe 1.1 tastes like

• Nose: sweet orchard fruits, especially apples and Pears, creamy with a slight spiciness, then ripe red berries, mild honey and barn aromas like hay dust, in the background cloves and raisins
• Palate: green plants at the beginning, then strong notes of Muesli bars, berry compote and red apples, behind them green tea, peppers and melon, in the background gravy and dark plums
• Finish: a persistent dry sweetness leaves a delicate, lasting note of dried fruits and a touch of spices