Pernod Ricard USA has launched its Midleton Dair Ghaelach Bluebell Forest Edition.

This new addition to the firm’s Virgin Irish Oak Collection of Single Pot Still Irish Whiskeys has been matured in American oak Bourbon casks and finished in barrels made from Irish oak grown in the Bluebell Forest of Castle Blunden Estate in County Kilkenny, Ireland.

Pernod Ricard USA high-end Irish whiskey vice-president Sona Bajaria said: “Expanding our portfolio in the US is always an exciting moment for our Irish whiskey portfolio.

“The inclusion of Midleton Dair Ghaelach Bluebell Forest Edition to our range is a testament to the passion of our deep-rooted heritage, innovation and commitment to taste.”

“This new addition to the firm’s Virgin Irish Oak Collection of Single Pot Still Irish Whiskeys has been matured in American oak Bourbon casks.”

Dair Ghaelach is said to be the result of eight years of research and development (R&D) by the production team Midleton Distillery, who used the native oak to finish Irish whiskey that was released in Midleton Dair Ghaelach Grinsell’s Wood in February 2015.

Midleton Distillery maturation head Kevin O’Gorman said: “It is a joy to be able to showcase more of our experimentation with maturation in Irish oak through the release of Midleton Dair Ghaelach Bluebell Forest.

“The naturally sweet compounds found in Irish oak work in perfect harmony with this whiskey to deliver milk chocolate and honeycomb on the nose, a beautifully round and silky-smooth mouthfeel, and a long, pot still finish.”

Midleton Dair Ghaelach Bluebell Forest is claimed to contain an alcohol-by-volume (ABV) between 55.30% and 56.30%.

The new whiskey product will be available at retailers across the US from this month at a recommended selling price of $299.99.