Copeland 26.1 is the Donaghadee distillery's most ambitious release — a double-distilled single malt matured in ex-Pinot Noir and ex-Syrah barriques that previously held Copeland's own overproof rum. Bottled at cask strength (57.8%) after a minimum five years of aging, it won Best Single Malt Irish Whiskey (11 Years and Under) at the 2025 Irish Whiskey Awards.
The cask journey is fascinatingly complex. The barriques started life holding wine, then were used for Copeland's Caribbean-influenced rum, and finally matured this single malt — each layer of previous use contributing different flavour compounds. The result is a whiskey with a richness and complexity far beyond what conventional cask maturation can achieve.
Copeland 26.1 is Northern Ireland's most impressive whiskey to date. The double distillation, the innovative cask programme, the cask-strength presentation and the award-winning quality all demonstrate that Copeland has moved far beyond debut releases into genuine excellence. A distillery and a whiskey to take very seriously.
