16 Jan 2006 - Sidney Frank in Partnership With Cooley Launches Michael Collins
INTRODUCING MICHAEL COLLINS IRISH WHISKEY…
THE FIRST ULTRA-PREMIUM IRISH WHISKEY
(New Rochelle, NY) – Sidney Frank Importing Co., Inc., the importers of Jägermeister Liqueur, Tequila Corazón de Agave, Gekkeikan Sake, and a host of award-winning wines and spirits, is pleased to announce the latest addition to its portfolio, Michael Collins Irish Whiskey.
Named for the legendary Irish hero, Michael Collins Irish Whiskey is the first ultra-premium Irish whiskey. Affectionately known as “The Big Fellow,” Collins was the spearhead of Ireland’s struggle for independence and the architect of the Treaty of 1921, from which modern Ireland emerged. He died at the age of 31, but his heroic spirit lives on in Michael Collins Whiskey.
Michael Collins begins with water from the Cooley Mountains of County Louth, Ireland. Louth, known as the “Wee County,” lies on the east coast of Ireland. Its landscape is wild and powerful – the perfect place for a legend to begin.
The water cascades to Cooley Distillery, the only independent Irish-owned distillery in Ireland. Founded by John Teeling, an Irish entrepreneur with a Harvard degree who resurrected the distillery and brought it back to its glory days, the company has roots that date back to 1757. Recognized for reviving the tradition and quality of Irish whiskey, Cooley received the ultimate accolade from the International Wine and Spirits Competition (IWSC) for outstanding achievement in the spirits industry.
With a fantastic introduction planned for March of 2006, Michael Collins will be available in a blend and a single malt. The blend is a combination of pot and column-distilled whiskeys aged for a minimum of five years in small oak casks. The casks are stored in open sheds where the cool, moist Irish air brings the whiskeys to maturity. The result is a blend that is light and lively on the palate with a hint of peat from the drying fires. Enjoy it on the rocks or neat.
Michael Collins Single Malt Irish Whiskey is pot distilled with select grains and malted barley dried over peat fires. This process is the oldest tradition of Irish distilling, dating back to 1762. The newly distilled whiskeys are aged in specially selected oak casks for a minimum of eight years to form the base of Michael Collins Single Malt. The single malt is well-rounded with a wonderfully subtle smoky flavor from the peat that lingers on the palate. It is best enjoyed in a snifter or on the rocks.
The elegant bottle for Michael Collins Whiskey is inspired by the crystal of Ireland. With its graceful fluting and statuesque profile, it brings to mind the courage and cunning of Michael Collins. The signature on the neck of the bottle is a replica of Collins’ signature on the actual Treaty of 1921, which he signed with his Irish name.
“We are very pleased to bring Michael Collins Irish Whiskey to the United States,” says Lee Einsidler, CEO of Sidney Frank Importing Co., Inc. “It’s a pleasure to work with Cooley Distillery, the only independent distillery left in Ireland. Their craftsmanship and tradition shows in every bottle of Michael Collins. We are very proud of Michael Collins and very excited about launching it here in the United States.”
The company worked with Tim Pat Coogan, the world-renowned journalist and official biographer of Michael Collins, to establish the authenticity behind the brand and name. Coogan acted as a liaison between the company and the Collins family to ensure that the spirit of Michael Collins was imparted into the brand with care. In addition, a portion of the proceeds from the sales of Michael Collins Irish Whiskey will go to an Irish charity.
Michael Collins will be available in the United States in March, 2006. Michael Collins Irish Whiskey will be available in the liter, 750ml, 375ml, and 50ml sizes. Michael Collins Single Malt Irish Whiskey will be available in the 750ml size.
Michael Collins Irish Whiskey… the heroic spirit.
