istil38: Pippa O’Connor Ormond has a new Irish vodka brand on the market and it’s made in Meath

Produced in a traditional copper pot still in Meath, but made to be enjoyed with thoroughly modern serves, istil 38 Pot Still Irish vodka is the latest offering from Sugarloaf Beverages. Slow distilled four times, it’s a lengthy process but one that leaves the vodka so pure that it needs no further filtration… meaning it’s softer and more velvety too. 

Available in three expressions – a classic vodka and two flavours, Pink Berries and Vanilla – each one is specifically designed to be mixed into long drinks or cocktails. In other words, it’s the perfect accompaniment to a bank holiday weekend!

The classic vodka is smooth and rich enough to enjoy neat but also works wonderfully mixed with soda and fresh lime, while the Pink Berries is flavoured with Irish berries to give it a fruity sweetness that pairs wonderfully with citrus tonic waters. istil 38 Vanilla is crafted with Madagascan Vanilla and its recipe was specifically formulated to be the ideal vodka for two of the world’s most popular cocktails – the Espresso Martini and the Pornstar Martini.

In the very capable hands of several drinks industry veterans, the brand’s management team includes Shane Davey, as managing director, along with co-directors Niall O’Dwyer and John Reynolds. They are joined by businesswoman and lifestyle guru Pippa O’Connor Ormond, who has invested in the brand and takes on the role of creative director.

Speaking of the exciting new launch, Pippa said that she is “very excited” to be involved in the project. “I’m very excited about the prospects of being a brand owner and creative director of istil 38 Pot Still Irish Vodka. In terms of sales, vodka is the biggest spirit in Ireland. With istil 38, our ambition is to show people that we have a premium Irish alternative to the industrially produced multinational vodka brands. We make it in traditional means, but our sensibilities for the serves are firmly in the modern era.”

“We wanted to create a forward-thinking Irish vodka, for people who always seek the best. They know life is short and our time for pleasure and indulgence is even shorter. So we’ve dedicated ourselves to handcrafting this ultimate vodka. For those whose time is at a premium, we feel istil 38 is the perfect premium spirit to enjoy it with,” she continued. 

Another key element behind the new product is their environmental and sustainability policies. Officially partnering with Hometree, together they’re working to establish and conserve permanent and native woodland in Ireland. 5c from every bottle will be donated to Hometree, and istil 38’s actual bottle was chosen due to its shape and weight, which meant less CO2 emissions when transporting. As a brand, they have committed to being a carbon-neutral company from the very start of their journey.

Several VIP guests were in attendance at the fancy affair, including Pippa and her husband Brian Ormond, Brian Dowling and Arthur Gourounlian, Anna Daly, Kathryn Thomas, Sarah McGovern, Nadia Forde, Clémentine MacNeice, Ruth and Cian O’Connor, and James Butler. 

Guests were served The Pink Pippa cocktails made with istil38 Pot Still Pink Berries Vodka and citrus tonic water, istil38 Porn Star Martinis made with istil38 Pot Still Vanilla Vodka, and istil38 Pot Still Irish Vodka with soda and lime alongside a tasty array of hors d’oeuvres. 

Istil38 Pot Still Irish Vodka retails for €38 and is available in all independent off-licenses or online with home delivery from www.istil38.com/shop/.

Photography Brian McEvoy