Fighting 69th Irish Whiskey

The Fighting 69th Irish Whiskey makes its official debut this month in New York City and other selected east coast markets, including CT, DC, FL, MD, NJ, in time to mark the unit’s 170th anniversary. The U.S. Army recognizes December 21, 1849, as the 69th Regiment’s founding date.

Since 1851, the officers of the 69th Regiment have kicked off their responsibilities as lead unit in New York City’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade by raising a glass of Irish whiskey in a traditional toast.

The concept for a special Irish whiskey dedicated to the 69th was the brainchild of Colonel (Ret) James Tierney, a former officer in the unit and a Trustee of its non-profit Historical Trust. Having also served for ten years as the 69th Regimental Historian, the idea came to him during one of his visits to Ireland.

“With our strong Irish heritage, members of the 69th are invited to Waterford, Ireland each year to participate in the annual Tricolour Celebration, which marks the creation in 1848 of the flag that would eventually become the Irish Republic’s National flag,” explains Tierney. “It’s been my honor to attend the celebration frequently and a few years ago, while enjoying the festivities with a taste of local whiskey, it occurred to me that the Fighting 69th should have its own Irish whiskey.”

The Fighting 69th Irish Whiskey is being produced in conjunction with the 69th Infantry Regiment Historical Trust, which is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) entity. A portion of the sale of each bottle sold will benefit the trust and support its historic preservation mission as well as philanthropic activities on behalf of the Regiment’s veterans and their families.

The whiskey brand is also made in collaboration with The Espiritus Group.

“We are excited to be launching this fine Irish whiskey in partnership with the Fighting 69th, putting our sales and marketing capabilities behind this very special brand,” says Jay Maltby, chairman of Espiritus. “This brand will do great things for the 69th Regiment Historical Trust by supporting its overall mission.”

Sourced from Irish distilleries, The Fighting 69th Irish Whiskey is triple distilled in copper pot stills and cask-aged in once-used bourbon and sherry barrels on Ireland’s southern coast.