Single Cask Philosophy

Single cask whiskey is the purest expression of individuality. Each cask matures at its own pace, develops its own nuances, and reveals layers of aroma and flavour that can never be fully replicated.

By carefully selecting remarkable casks we've picked to use for Framed In Grain, we allow their natural character to shine without blending or alteration. Every bottle tells the story of one barrel, one moment in time, forever tied to a single piece of art, and one distinct personality in flavour.

Collaboration With Irish Artists

Ireland’s creative culture extends far beyond music and literature – visual art thrives here as vividly as its landscapes. Framed In Grain brings this creativity to the forefront by partnering with Irish artists whose work resonates with the same depth, texture, and emotion discovered in great whiskey.

Each artwork is more than a label; it is an integral part of the release, framing the whiskey with a sense of place, perspective, and artistic identity.

Two Worlds in Dialogue

The visual piece and the whiskey it accompanies are carefully paired to complement one another – not necessarily in a literal sense, but in attitude, energy, and craft.

The artwork sets a tone, while the whiskey mirrors its themes through flavour, structure, and finish. This creates a dual experience: one that can be admired visually and savoured sensorially. The interplay between the two elevates each volume into something more than the sum of its parts.

A Collectable Series

Framed In Grain is designed to grow, evolve, and invite discovery with every release. Each volume introduces a new artistic voice, a new cask, and a fresh narrative, encouraging collectors to follow the series as it unfolds. With limited bottlings and unique artwork per release, no two volumes will ever be the same. The result is a collection that rewards both whiskey lovers and art enthusiasts – a series to build, enjoy, and revisit as it expands in the years ahead.

For Artists: Be Part of Future Volumes

Framed In Grain is built on collaboration. Each volume begins with a remarkable cask, but it becomes complete only when paired with an artwork that brings new perspective, texture, and emotion to the release. As the series grows, we aim to showcase a diverse range of Irish artistic voices – emerging and established – whose work resonates with the spirit of creativity that defines the project.

We welcome expressions of interest from artists who feel their style, ideas, or storytelling might align with future releases. Whether your work is bold and abstract, detailed and figurative, or rooted in a particular theme or medium, we are always looking for pieces that speak with character, originality, and a strong sense of identity.

What We Look For

• Distinctive visual style that stands confidently on its own
• Strong thematic presence – mood, narrative, or conceptual depth
• Artwork that pairs well with storytelling and sensory exploration
• High-resolution or physical pieces suitable for adaptation to label and packaging formats

How to Submit

If you would like your work to be considered for a future volume, please contact us with:

• A short introduction to your work and artistic background
• A selection of recent pieces (images or portfolio link)
• Any themes or concepts you explore in your practice

Submissions can be emailed to: framedingrain@jamesfox.ie

A Collaborative Process

Selected artists will work closely with our team as the release develops – from initial pairing with the chosen cask to finalising label artwork and presentation design. Each collaboration is credited across packaging, product pages, and launch communication, ensuring your work is showcased to an audience of whiskey lovers and collectors in Ireland and beyond.

Cooley Distillery – Single Grain Excellence

The 2008 Single Grain featured in Volume 1 originates from Cooley Distillery, a pioneering force in the modern revival of Irish whiskey. Cooley’s approach to grain whiskey is defined by purity and precision: light but layered, delicate yet full of nuance. Matured in an ex-bourbon cask (13 years), then moved to a first-fill Oloroso Sherry cask (2 years), and finished in a refill ex-bourbon cask (2 years), the result is whiskey that's bright in flavour, and layered with ripe fruit and caramelised sweetness, showcasing what we love about the grain category.

Great Northern Distillery – Modern Pot Still Innovation

Volume 2’s Single Pot Still whiskey comes from Great Northern Distillery, a dynamic producer whose pot still spirit has quickly gained recognition for depth, texture, and expressive spice. Our pick for Vol. 2 was distilled in 2018 and matured for six years in ex-bourbon before finishing for 18 months in a Calvados barrique, bringing together tradition and innovation. The Calvados influence adds orchard fruit richness and pastry-like sweetness, amplifying the bold pot still spices at the core of the spirit. The result is a whiskey with both structure and generosity – our take on the evolving creativity within modern Irish whiskey making.

Cask Selection & Maturation

Every cask chosen for Framed In Grain undergoes a meticulous assessment before being considered for release. Age alone is never the determining factor; instead, we look for:

• Depth of flavour
• Balance across nose, palate, and finish
• A distinctive character that sets the cask apart
• Natural harmony without intervention, colouring, or blending

Why Single Casks Matter

Single cask releases are inherently finite. Once bottled, that cask will never exist again. This individuality is central to the Framed In Grain philosophy: each volume is a singular moment in time, shaped by wood, climate, distillery character, and years of patient maturation. By releasing these whiskeys in their natural form, we allow collectors and enthusiasts to experience Irish whiskey in one of its purest and most expressive states.

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