Cath-Nah-Aven - Macaloney's Island Distillery & Twa Dogs Brewery

House Character & Tasting Notes

Crafted from our ‘classic’ single malt range, this island whisky undergoes meticulous double distillation using traditional Scottish methods with the finest local malted barley. Our patient, purposeful distillation results in a complex, layered, and balanced ‘clearach’ (new-make spirit), lauded by Dr. Swan as “the best I have tasted in any distillery at this stage, super fruity.” Cath-nah-aven pays homage to the great sherried whiskies from the banks of the river Spey. Our award-winning Vancouver Island distilled classic single malt is carefully crafted in premium Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez casks from Andalucía in Spain. Married by our Whiskymaker, this whisky reveals a complex red-berry, plum, and oak nose, enhancing the fruit, floral, and sea-breeze notes of our new-make. On the palate, this classic single malt offers a rich sherried body with a creamy mouthfeel. Plums, raisins, and spices are complemented by tannins and oakwood spices, yielding to a background of juicy malt barley. The finish is long and complex, with a hint of sea salt befitting our island location, and a symphony of diverse flavours, inviting personal exploration.

Enjoy!

Slainte

History and Tradition

Inspired by his native Scotland, his Lochaber and Islay ancestors, and ancient Irish roots, our Master Whiskymaker Dr. Graeme Macaloney has created a unique range of whiskies. Our distillery’s classic’ single malt whiskies evoke fond memories of his youth. Our ‘peated’ single malt whiskies, uniquely peat-smoked at our distillery, herald back to his Ileach seventh-great-grandfather, whilst these ‘triple-distilled single potstill’ whiskies give tribute to his Antrim and ancient 7th century Leinster-Irish roots. In Gaelic Cath na h-abhainn, pronounced Cath-nah-aven, means ‘battle at the river’ In 1370, our Whiskymaker’s ancestor, Tearlach Macaloney, and 400 compatriots engaged in a fierce ‘battle at the river’ Spey near Invernahavon in Speyside, Scotland. Defying the McIntosh’s of Clan Chattan for over 360 years, in this battle they fought valiantly. Tragically, Tearlach faced his close kin by marriage, Ceann-dubh MacPherson, in this battle. Both expert archers, they deliberately missed each other until a McIntosh chastised Ceann-dubh. Warned of renewed deadly intent, Ceann-dubh and Tearlach simultaneously loosed their arrows, with fatal consequences. This dram is a tribute to Tearlach & Ceann-dubh, who gallantly fought and perished by the banks of the river Spey. Today, Speyside is renowned for exceptional sherried whiskies, inspiring this classic single malt matured in Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez casks.