Geological Survey Ireland recently completed a soil sampling project in collaboration with the Waterford Whisky Distillery. The project, led by Tony Gallagher and Eoin McGrath from the Minerals Programme, aimed to gather soil samples from various regions, including Waterford, Wexford, Kilkenny, Kildare, Dublin, and Donegal. The sampling expedition, which spanned from 15 to 23 of April, involved fieldwork using hand augers to extract soil samples from farms across designated areas.
The collected soil samples will now undergo testing to determine their chemical compositions. This analysis lays the groundwork for establishing correlations between the soil's chemical makeup and the distinctive taste profiles of whiskies produced in these regions. In other words, the project aims to unlock insights that could potentially enhance the quality and uniqueness of Waterford Whiskies.
Wine enthusiasts have long linked the soil and geology of where grapes grow to the flavours of the wine. Now, there is hope that a similar link can be found for Irish whisky.