Dead Rabbit duo bring expertise to Outwalker whiskey launch

Dead Rabbit duo bring expertise to Outwalker whiskey launch

A co-founder of The Dead Rabbit, a former Ulster Rugby player and a hotelier have joined forces to launch a new Irish whiskey.

Outwalker is the brainchild of entrepreneur Adrian McLaughlin and former rugby star Darren Cave, who approached Sean Muldoon and Jillian Vose, the co-founder and ex-beverage director of The Dead Rabbit, twice named the best pub in the world.

A new name in Irish whiskey, it is a unique blend of Single Malt aged in white burgundy casks, Pot Still aged in ex-Oloroso Sherry, Grain aged in Virgin American Oak and Grain aged in Rye Casks.

It was developed by one of the world’s foremost drinks authorities Jillian Vose, formerly Beverage Director of New York’s famous Dead Rabbit and now co-owner of the eagerly anticipated Hazel & Apple opening soon in Charleston, South Carolina

Wholly distilled, blended, aged, and bottled in Ireland, Outwalker is rooted in tradition while reflecting the world of today. With now over 40 distilleries in Ireland producing around 110m LPA of whiskey a year, the Irish whiskey market is booming. In 2021, 14 million cases were sold globally, a 21 per cent increase on 2020, contributing over €700 million to the Irish economy.

Sean Muldoon said its launch was perfectly timed to take advantage of a growing interest in Irish Whiskey, explaining: “Outwalker was born to meet the need for a genuinely unique blend of component whiskeys, something that was both a cocktail staple and also good enough to sip on its own.”

Jillian Vose continued: “Through the creation process I researched a lot of grain whiskeys and found two that stood out: one aged in Virgin American oak and another in Rye casks. These combined very well with each other, making a great backbone for the whiskeys.

Outwalker co-founder Adrian McLaughlin said: “Joining forces with Sean, Jillian and Darren, we know we have created something really special for cocktail fans and whiskey connoisseurs alike.

“We are confident, like our spirit, that this will be one of the most talked-about Irish whiskeys for many years to come.”

Fellow co-founder Darren Cave added: “Outwalker is by nature, adventurous and open. It will be savoured by many, enjoying the quality of the blend and sharing a good time – in the great Irish tradition.”