Waterford Single Farm Origin Edition 1.2 / Ratheadon
70cl / 50%
£159.00
- Malt type: Single Malt
- Region: Ireland
Tasting Notes
Fresh. Flower meadow and malty notes along with sweet chocolate and vanilla aromas
Powerful. Light spicy notes followed by caramel and vanilla sweetness with nutty hints. The palate is also accompanied by fruity notes
Long and sweet
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A technically advanced, pure Irish single malt showcasing the barley terroir from a single Carlow farm.
At-a-Glance
| Field | Details |
| Distillery / Bottler / Country & Region | Waterford Distillery / Distillery Bottling / Ireland |
| Category | Single Farm Origin Irish Single Malt Whiskey |
| Age / Vintage / Bottled | 4 Years Old / Distilled 2016 / Bottled 2020 (Edition 1.2) |
| ABV & Size(s) | 50% ABV / 70cl |
| Cask / Treatment | Mixed Cask Maturation (Not stated, standard for SFO is multiple oak types) |
| Natural Colour | Yes (Natural Colour) |
| Non-Chill-Filtered | Yes (Non-Chill Filtered) |
| Cask Strength | No (Bottled at 50% ABV) |
| Bottle count / Outturn | 10,000 bottles |
| Intended channel | Global Specialist Retail and Enthusiast Market |
| Packaging | Clear glass bottle, QR code for digital provenance, presented in a tube. |
| Notes on discrepancies | The core value lies in the 'uber-provenance'—barley sourced solely from Stephen and Andrew McDonnell’s Ratheadon farm in County Carlow. |
Historical Context
Waterford Distillery, founded in 2015 by Mark Reynier (formerly of Bruichladdich), operates under a unique, uncompromising philosophical mandate: to demonstrate the impact of barley terroir on the flavour of whiskey. The Single Farm Origin (SFO) series, launched in 2020, is the technical manifestation of this vision. This series explicitly tracks single malt distilled from barley grown on one farm, in one season.
The Ratheadon Edition 1.2 is significant as one of the second batch of SFO releases, using barley harvested from Ratheadon Farm in County Carlow. By bottling at only four years old, the distillery emphasizes that superior raw material quality and meticulous distillation provide complexity far exceeding the liquid's youth. The 10,000-bottle outturn provides sufficient limited scarcity to fuel consistent collector interest.
Technical Specification & Variant Map
The spirit is bottled at an elevated strength of 50% ABV, Non-Chill-Filtered (NCF), and presented at Natural Colour. These factors are non-negotiable for the SFO series, ensuring the preservation of the volatile flavour compounds derived from the unique barley terroir. The spirit is aged in a mixed cask maturation program. The 4-year age statement is extremely young but is compensated by the purity of the distillation and the high bottling strength.
The liquid is recognized for its unique profile, often described as showing more development than its age would imply, presenting complex notes of chocolate, nuts, and refined spice.2 This profile is directly linked to the specific barley used from the Ratheadon farm.
Documented variants
The SFO series consists of distinct releases tied to different farms (e.g., Ratheadon, Sheestown, Bannow Island). Each farm release is a unique liquid profile.
Variant Matrix
| ABV | Volume | Market | Era cues | Relative desirability |
| 50% | 70cl | Global Specialist | Ratheadon Farm 1.2, 10,000 bottle outturn | High (Uber-provenance collectible) |
Packaging & authenticity checklist
Authentication is based on the SFO series' transparency. The label must explicitly state "Ratheadon Edition 1.2," the 2016 distillation year, the 4-year age statement, and the 50% ABV. A digital QR code on the bottle allows consumers to trace the barley provenance back to the farm, which is a key unique feature of this release.
Regulatory/terminology notes
The 50% ABV ensures the spirit is delivered close to its production strength. The explicit statements of Natural Colour and Non-Chill Filtration guarantee maximum texture and full preservation of the barley-derived flavour oils.3 The focus is on Single Farm Origin, a classification that elevates the traceability of the spirit above generic industry standards.
Liquid Profile (from verifiable notes)
The Ratheadon release is noted for its developed nose and pronounced sweet, savoury notes, compensating for its youth.
Nose: Sweet, fresh barley and hay, vanilla and citrus. More refined spice notes, often described as oak-driven cloves. Light notes of redcurrant and red apple skins are present.
Palate: More rounded and developed than comparable young whiskies. Notes include milk chocolate, marzipan, and sweet spice. Subtle hints of grapefruit peel, balanced liquorice, and walnut also emerge.
Finish: Aromatic malt and hay character, surrounded by chocolate-covered brazil nuts.
With water: Not stated by the producer.
Pricing & Market Dynamics (GBP)
The SFO series maintains a stable, premium retail price consistent with its innovative concept and high technical specification.
Original RRP (GBP): The retail price for the Ratheadon 1.2 specifically was estimated around GBP 56.40.
Current UK retail range (GBP, incl. VAT): GBP 65.00 – GBP 80.00.
Recent UK/EU auction range (GBP, hammer): GBP 45.00 – GBP 60.00.
Price Snapshot
| Channel | Date | Bottle spec | Price (GBP) | Notes |
| UK Retail RRP | Current | 70cl, 50% ABV | 64.99 | Typical RRP for SFO release |
| EU Retail | Current | 70cl, 50% ABV | 56.40 | Based on €66.50 price |
Pricing stratification: Pricing is competitive near the RRP. The low auction hammer price demonstrates that, while critically acclaimed, its high outturn limits extreme speculative collector premiums.
Liquidity & sourcing note: Liquidity is high and consistently available through general specialist retail, minimizing reliance on competitive auction sourcing.
