Prizefight launch was a knockout

Prizefight Irish Whiskey launched to trade last night in the perfect setting of Beau Jack Boxing Club. The brand was introduced, the history of the Irish in America was brought to life by storyteller and historian Donal Falon and then Entertainment.ie Editor Mike Sheridan interviewed boxer Andy Lee about his time in America and his boxing career. Guests were then asked to continue the evening in Delahunt, Camden Street. Food was matched with the whiskey and cocktails were created and explained; a great evening of entertainment and whiskey education. The Story: Pugilist Spirit’s Flor Prendergast wanted to create an Irish whiskey, so he called upon spirits maverick Steven Grasse, who came up with an idea for something new — a fine Irish whiskey finished in American rye casks. Making this idea a reality required collaboration between two craft distillers: one in Ireland, and the other in America. So, they reached out to West Cork Distilling to create the whiskey, and Grasse’s own distillery, Tamworth Distilling in New Hampshire to arrange the finishing. Together, they produced a fresh, clean whiskey with fruit and floral notes that gets a hit of spice from the rye cask finish. Inspired by the Irish-American connection, Grasse had the idea to call the whiskey Prizefight and use the brand to tell the incredible stories of the Irish who came to America and became the greatest fighters of their day. The bottle’s label immortalizes the fight between John Morrissey and Yankee Sullivan, which took place at Boston Corners, New York, on October 12, 1853. Two of the most famous Irish-born fighters of their day, both Morrissey and Sullivan ended up in New York, making their names in barroom brawls as well as well-publicized fights like this one, with over five thousand spectators. Prizefight is available in select bars and retailers in Dublin, as well as in an exclusive gift box at the Dublin Duty Free and selected independent off licenses. Check out www.prizefightwhiskey.com & see www.drinkaware.ie