Waterford Whisky floats Biodynamic: Luna

Waterford Whisky has announced Biodynamic: Luna, which is being projected as the world’s first whisky made from biodynamic barley. The bottling is the latest whisky in the distillery’s Arcadian Series, which showcases the flavours produced by forgotten ways of farming and rare barley varieties.

For the Demeter-certified Biodynamic: Luna, three Irish growers – Trevor Harris, John McDonnell and Alan Mooney – stepped up to the challenge of applying unusual agricultural practices to growing barley. They run their farms according to esoteric principles derived from a 1924 series of lectures by the Austrian polymath Rudolf Steiner.

The approach includes an array of seemingly controversial practices such as burying manure-packed cow horns to ‘ferment’ underground; the creation of simple plant treatments and natural compost fertilisers to stimulate microbial activity; all following the natural rhythms of the lunar calendar. The purpose is to produce vibrant, chemical-free living soil.

Biodynamic: Luna is matured in a combination of 35 percent first-fill US oak; 17percent virgin US oak; 26 percent Premium French oak; and 22 percent Vin Doux Naturel oak. Its tasting notes comprise apricot jam, lemon drizzle cake, milk chocolate with almonds, earthiness, bread pudding, brown sugar, tea, with intense spices, dark chocolate, a vibrant maltiness and extreme flavour persistence.

21,000 bottles of Biodynamic: Luna are available worldwide, with a RSP of approximately €85-95/$125/£89.95 (varying by location).