Jameson Caskmates is a collaboration between the Midleton Distillery and micro-brewer, Franciscan Well Brewery in Cork.

Dave Quinn, Midleton master of whiskey science, told DI’s Holly Motion: “This is not another flavoured whiskey. It is a whiskey that has gone through maturation and finished in the beer barrels. This has not come about by design. It came about by accident.”

Pernod Ricard said the idea was first floated in a chance meeting between Jameson master distiller, Brian Nation, master of whiskey science, Dave Quinn, and Franciscan Well Founder and head brewer, Shane Long, in a Cork bar.  

Once made, Quinn said of the whiskey: “We were blown away. It was still very much Jameson but had nuisances, hints of hop. We all thought this was something very unique and something very different. The name encapsulates what it's all about. This is how we are linked, through the casks.”

Bottled at 40% ABV, Jameson Caskmates is available from September 2015 in eight markets including the USA, South Africa and Ireland, at the RRP of €38.99, $29.99 or local equivalent.